Asking for a pay rise

[mooneus]

So recently I completed an appraisal with my manager and was given excellent feedback about my performance. So much so that I have been asked to lead meetings in our departments and have been given extra budget.

However nothing was mentioned about my salary, which considering the good comments I was shocked by. I have worked for this company for almost 2 years and am still on the same salary as when I started. If I wait another year that will mean 3 years of work on the same salary - the longest I have ever been in a job without a pay rise and something I cannot do knowing that there are companies out there who will pay more for someone with my experience.

The thing is how do I approach this with management. Do I book a meeting and say I cannot stay in a job for 3 years without a pay rise. Or do I apply for other jobs and see if they offer me more to stay?

[RapunzelsRealMom]

Before looking for a new job, I'd give them the chance to rectify the situation (or explain why not).

Send your manager a meeting request called PDR Follow-up, or similar and say that you're really pleased with how your review went and you have taken a few days to consider that due to the satisfactory completion of X, Y & Z (whatever you were praised for in your review) and how it has affected the organisation (cost saving, schedule, etc) you would like to be considered for an increase in salary to reflect your good work.
Quote salaries for similar roles in your field.

THEN look for a new job if that doesn't work

[daisychain01]

Sorry to sound harsh but with inflation at an all time low and the economy flat , if you go to your employer saying that you'll have to leave if you don't get a pay rise they'll probably ask you to close the door on your way out. Especially with less than 2 years' service.

Nowadays it takes a lot to get a decent pay rise. You may need to either apply for a different role on a higher grade or move companies altogether. Can you increase your skill set and qualifications?

[ohamIreally]

What Rapunzel said

[somewhereovertherain]

I’d be waiting till you’ve been there two years else it could be bye bye if you threaten to live or a pay rise.

[glasshalfsomething]

A pay rise doesn't need to be linked to length of service; it should be a reflection of your performance in the role.

Before requesting a rise or even a meeting about a rise, get yourself organised.

As above, be ready to discuss your strong points, but also make sure you conversation is about how these help the business. Did you help gain more customers/sales or client satisfaction? By continuing your job, will this grow further?

What other objectives did you meet/excel? Discuss how you can continue these...and how much you think that's worth in salary increase.

Whatever you do, don't say it's because you've been there for a while, it because you have outgoings increasing etc.

Good luck!

[daisychain01]

Glass, my point about less than 2 years' service is just a cautionary note that they can dismiss an employee without reason within that time, so beware of rocking the boat too much in case they take the person literally! I'm not suggesting they would, but something to be mindful of.

[lovelyupnorth]

Ditto - for my point

[ohamIreally]

I've just asked for and got a pay rise after only a year in a new job. I have no doubt that had I not asked I would not have got it but they gave me a brilliant appraisal and I pointed out that no pay rise is actually a pay cut so I wanted at least an inflationary rise. They've given me more than I asked for. I think the assumption that asking for a pay rise marks you in a negative way is often incorrect- sometimes it indicates to an employer that you know your worth and it makes them sit up and take notice of you.