Work pay review disappointment

I’ve worked in corporate for years. You need to work smarter, not harder

I was in this situation a few years ago. Worked so hard all year, even worked when i was signed off sick with a broken shoulder and still only got 3%.

First time ive cried over work, so i left for a different department, best decision i ever made.

@Toomuchlemonade i work for the NHS and we are not getting 5.5%, that was last year. This year the offer is expected to be around 2.5% for the public sector!

4% is above inflation and reasonable for over performance in your current role. Your manager is right, there is much better chance of a decent rise for your upcoming promotion if it’s outside of normal pay review cycle. Please don’t take it out on your team leader, sounds like they are doing their best for you, their hands will be tied by the higher ups. Unfortunately your best chance of a huge rise is to get a better offer elsewhere and ask them to match it…. But you do have to be prepared to go through with your resignation if they won’t

The only way to get more is to keep leaving sadly. I’ve done this for the last 15 years of my career and every job move I’ve got 10% to 30% increase in salary.
Sadly loyalty doesn’t pay. I’m starting a new job and when I handed my notice they offered me a 25% pay rise but I still decided to leave as the other job is a promotion and I wanted to get the extra experience as well as the pay increase. In my last job I got 3% to 5% raise and the 5% was because I took on a promotion. I would look elsewhere!

12 years ago I was on 27k a year now I’m on 130k. I only achieved this by moving every 2-3 years.

That's pretty standard in private sector.

I don't think a 3.92% increase in this economy is that bad. It was 1.5% across the board in ours last year.

The best way of increasing earnings, is moving job.

Seems standard for an annual increase tbh.

if you want more money, vote with your feet and look for a new job.

I don’t mean to sound brutal, but that’s the only way to do it.

This isn't a race to the bottom.

https://www.logicallyfallacious.com/logicalfallacies/Relative-Privation

OP, you sounds as if you are being underpaid and taken for granted. I have a friend who works for a large insurance broker and I know there is a huge amount of politics, quite a bit of gender imbalance and a definite sense of “the squeaky wheel gets the most oil”.
Here is what I would do to maximise my chances of a decent pay rise. I’d take the emotion out of it. Don’t be angry, disappointed, withdraw labour, quiet quit etc. That will just confirm to them that they were right to give you a small rise.
Work through your anger and frustration with friends, family, Mumsnet. Then do some calculations to show what has happened to your pay (ie stagnation) over the last 5 or so years. Put these numbers down on paper along with inflation etc and show them how much worse off you are.
When you are feeling less emotional, ask for a meeting. I’d say thank you for the pay rise but say it was well below your expectations and that you are confused by the mixed messaging you are receiving (excellent reviews/ in line for promotion but low rise)
Explain what you have done over the last five years to help grow the company (whether your role is bringing in business or supporting the team).
Talk about your 20 years of loyalty to the business and the changes you’ve been part of along the way.
Say as many positives as you can so it is not just portrayed as a whinge fest.
Ask about their gender balance pay policy and what the firm is doing to close the gap. Ask if your salary is in line with the new recruits coming in at the same level. If they don’t have this to hand, ask for it to be forwarded on to you. This is information you should have. Your manager should be able to reassure you you are not being disadvantaged by their recruitment policy and that your loyalty is valued.
Leave the meeting on a high note - all the plans you have for the promoted post but also make it clear you are expecting to be properly remunerated for that role.
At the same time upgrade your LinkedIn profile and start posting relevant industry posts every two weeks. They will soon notice. This is the best sign that you are planning to leave. Attend every industry event you can (there are tonnes in insurance) Make connections. Let it be subtly known that you are ready for a change.
Do not consider leaving until you have the new title and the enhanced salary in June. It’s just three months away. Use the time to prep as above. Also reach out to your colleagues. Join groups and committees. Generally raise your profile. Hint to those closest to management that your thinking of a change.
When June comes and you get your salary enhancement and new title, start seriously job hunting. Reach out to specialist recruiters.
it’s a competitive industry, with a lot of movement. Treat getting the new job as a job. By the autumn, you may very well have increased your salary by up to 50% and have a new role and higher profile. Good luck.

How would people apply for the job if they don't know what the salary is? That would be wasting everyone's time.

Damn sight better than people who get 1%

It's a rubbish job market atm but if you can get more elsewhere just go for it and leave.

It all comes down to how much you trust your manager. I’ve been in her shoes and had team members who were ripe to do more and definitely deserved more pay, but at that moment chances of increased pay were slim to none. Sometimes the waiting has been months, but we’ve usually got there. She’s playing a longer, more strategic game because she thinks the short game sucks.

I think you probably do need to wait, but also to look around. If you’ve outgrown your role it might be time for something new.

The OP says they work PT.

If you're not happy, leave. That's how it works.

So, if GBP900 extra is 3.92%, then you are ONLY on about GBP23000 per year? Right? Is this a full-time job? That's only $AUD45700 ... Which would be an unskilled job for 4 days per week (or 3.5 days per week for a higher demand role here). Full time here is 35hrs/week in most jobs. Sounds like you're in a very low-skilled job or you only work a short week. I MAY BE WRONG ... just comparing standard money per week here.

I work for a university and we got bugger all.

Think yourself lucky. I got 2%. In my experience, I’ve only worked for one company that reviewed pay fairly and individually. The rest, including my current one, give one shit inflation related rise across the board and a thousand excuses.

Two things come to mind with your dilemma - one is 'what we allow we encourage' - if you stay in an arrangement even when you are not getting what you feel you are worth, you are contributing to the continuation of that situation.

The second is the parable of the workers in the vineyard - in its most literal sense we get what we agreed and need to be careful of expecting more on our interpretation of what is fair. I think it would be a shame if you lost the pride you should feel for being an outstanding employee; now is maybe the time for you to take that shining example and go out and see who will pay you what you want including terms and conditions that fit your circumstances.

This situation may well have done you a great favour, putting you on the road to seeing what else is out there for an amazing worker like you! You have a choice, stay and become a bitter employee or take what you have achieved and see what comes your way.

Loyalty only goes one way in most companies. They say 'family' and 'loyalty required' but would have an ad to replace you in a heartbeat if you got hit by a bus.

Job hopping really is the only way to get paid what you're worth, unfortunately. Companies are relying on you to feel 'loyalty' (again, that isn't reciprocated) and not want the hassle of looking/interviewing elsewhere.

Make sure you factor in redundancy pay to your calculations. My friend kicked herself, was 25 years at a major blue chip, low salary but excellent sick pay, redundancy was one month for every year of service plus a lump sum and the enhancement for being over 40. Went somewhere else for an extra 5k and her team was bade redundant the next year, she had been carrying them all the time. She's died now and even her death in service was miniscule. Look at the whole package, not just the salary.

I think you've just learned a really valuable lesson.

There's absolutely no point in having a strong work ethic, performing to outstanding and going above & beyond.

You are no better thought of than those that underperform, take the piss etc etc

If it helps I got 1.5% this year, private sector. So a pay cut. Food has gone up by 25% apparently (more like 50% in this house). Absolutely shite.

What’s a pay rise? 😉😁

But your 3.92% wasn’t anything to do with your promotion? It was your pay review on your existing salary?

As I understand it, your promotion is due to happen in June, at which point you’re due a further promotional pay rise?

I would concentrate on asking your manager on clarity over what your new role will pay. Surely it’s normal to know the salary before deciding if you want to take on more responsibility.

I think you’re conflating the two separate events OP.