In an ideal world, our employers will always value the work we do and pay us what we are worth. That doesn’t always happen though. For many people, the pandemic has increased the likelihood of them feeling undervalued and underpaid, as working from home has made them less visible to their line managers, roles have changed, and greater demand is put on us in order to help our employers navigate what has been an economically challenging period.
When we believe we should earn more, the first response is often to look for a new job. However, if you enjoy your current role, it is always worth speaking to your employer about a pay rise first, as it may be that they just need reminding about how valuable a member of their team you actually are.
This can be a daunting prospect for many, but here are some tips to help you approach the subject of a pay rise with your employer and hopefully get the pay rise you deserve:
1. Know your worth
One of the easiest ways to work out if you are being paid what you are worth is to see how your salary measures up against similar roles and similar organizations. Job adverts are a good source of information for this, and there are a number of websites which provide free salary comparison calculators. Also, consider the impact it would have on your current employer if you were to leave, as this can provide leverage when negotiating a pay rise. Be realistic though and try to measure your current role and employer against similar roles at similar sized organizations, in similar locations. Also, keep in mind that many businesses are still struggling financially in the wake of the pandemic, so if your employer is in the process of restructuring or making redundancies, wait until it is back on a stronger financial footing as your negotiating position will be stronger.
2. Build a business case
After you have worked out what you believe you should be paid, establish the reasons why you believe you deserve a pay rise on the basis of the added value you bring to your employer. A good place to start is by creating a work journal to record things such as training, or qualifications you have completed, achievements and “stand out” moments during your employment, and how they have benefited your employer. Include feedback you have received via email, snapshots of performance reports and any other data and information which supports what you are saying. Ensure you highlight those skills and qualities you possess that are in short supply, or may be missing, in your organization. The more you can illustrate how you provide something important to the business, the more likely you are to secure a pay rise.
Ultimately, you need to become your own salesperson. Presenting a strong, factual “business case” as to why you deserve a pay rise will help illustrate to your employer the benefit you bring and why your request is valid.
3. More than pay
When considering your value and building your business case, keep in mind things other than pay that are important to you, which could form part of any pay negotiation.
Sometimes, managers can struggle to get approval for a wage increase but have more flexibility when it comes to non-monetary matters, or if they can allocate costs to other budgets, such as training or employee benefits. Consider whether you would accept additional holiday, an enhanced benefits package, flexible working, or increased pension contribution, in the place of some or all of a pay rise. This can offer a good compromise if you are looking to improve your work/life balance. You might also consider a new job title, additional responsibilities, or the opportunity for further training in place of a pay rise. It may seem counter-intuitive to be asking to do more instead of getting paid more, but if it improves your chances of progression in the future (either with your own employer, or elsewhere), then it may be worth doing it in the long run.
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