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Original poster

Work pay review disappointment

212 replies

ivegotthisyeah · 21/02/2025 16:58

I am so mad I could cry!!
Had our work pay reviews this week.
I received and outstanding in my year end review ( very hard to get) and a promotion ( chose to stay at a lower level last year to gain more experience and more chance of decent pay rise this year) so I waited it out go over and above received fantastic feedback and I got the most appalling shitest increase of £900 a year. Wft !! I was gob smacked. Usual bullshit excuses goes on prior year you got double what everyone else got. It's private sector all on different pay so it's all irrelevant that I got double everyone else. My pay is low and I know it is but instead of complaining I've always tried to exceed my goals and work for a pay rise. It's seems they only had out decent pay rises when you leave or have another job waiting in the wings.
I am so mad and fucked off. Team leader said they are halting my promotion to go ahead with it in June as more chance of head office agreeing a pay rise out of pay review window.
I know my team leader is only the messenger but I actually want to laugh in her face at the fucking minimal shit £900 they think is ok.
I don't want to leave as it's flexible and benefits are good but I am so underpaid it's a joke.
I want to send her an email to say how dissatisfied and upset I am but not sure it will help. Do I want until June or voice my annoyance now - advice needed .
Been told this morning ( in confidence by a work friend) another colleague had gone in with another job offer and she got want she wanted but I am just not that kind of person to lie or make up a job offer pathetic aren't I

OP posts:
TheFrendo · 21/02/2025 17:32

You need to look around for a better job.

Wingingit11 · 21/02/2025 17:31

I suspect now you feel badly treated it’s pretty unviable as a long term prospect anyway. I’d start looking elsewhere (though an unclear if you’ve got an above inflation increase with promotion pending anyway)

MikeRafone · 21/02/2025 17:31

Oh and for £900 a year more - they get bronze edition at work, if they don't want to pay for silver, gold or platinum - then they don't get that edition

MikeRafone · 21/02/2025 17:29

Time to dust down your CV and move on

they didn't respect the transaction of you working for money - so you find a company that does

the manager isn't the messenger - they are your manager and if they need you will do their job to make sure you stay.

Daffidale · 21/02/2025 17:28

I’m not quite clear on the promotion situation? Have you already been promoted and are hoping for a further promotion in June? Or have you been promoted but it’s not taking affect until June? Was your outstanding performance review for your pre or post promotion role?

If The performance review was pre promotion, and your pay rise is a rise on your post promotion pay then this sounds OK as your big “pay rise recognising the performance is the promotion

But it sounds more like you haven’t got the promotion yet, so the rise is for the current role where you are shown to be performing excellently

In which case the rise now does sound like taking the piss

At minimum I would ask for more clarity now on what you can expect post promotion. Or make your own expectations clear (eg the £35k your colleague is on) and that you will be forced to start looking elsewhere if they don’t meet that.

Original poster
ivegotthisyeah · 21/02/2025 17:28

Randomease · 21/02/2025 17:26

Two years ago I got outstanding - no payrise, no promotion. Was told next cycle. That came and they randomly downgraded me two levels (into needs improvement) and said ‘sorry, nothing.’ Next cycle (6 months later) outstanding and a payrise and promotion. I was performing the same throughout. It’s all just a game you have to figure a way to play.

Yeah that makes sense, just not a game I want to get into - hate making a fuss but as someone else said the loyal hard workers get overlooked.

OP posts:
lilydragon · 21/02/2025 17:27

Agree it's normal for private sector in this climate, sorry. Ours were 2-3% this year. As others have said, get another job offer if you think you're underpaid and put it to them, see what the reaction is and then decide if you stay or go. I wouldn't make one up in case they call your bluff and tell you to leave. If you can't find a job that offers the same level of flexibility then I guess at least you'll know where you stand in the market but it's definitely worth looking around rather than being angry about it. Disagree with those saying people who don't complain don't get substantial pay rises, in my experience people who complain don't either unless they are deemed a flight risk, critical to the business etc etc.

Randomease · 21/02/2025 17:26

Two years ago I got outstanding - no payrise, no promotion. Was told next cycle. That came and they randomly downgraded me two levels (into needs improvement) and said ‘sorry, nothing.’ Next cycle (6 months later) outstanding and a payrise and promotion. I was performing the same throughout. It’s all just a game you have to figure a way to play.

Fupoffyagrasshole · 21/02/2025 17:23

thats awful ! 3% is what pretty much everyone is getting for inflation in my place - so that’s the absolute lowest! Most are getting more than that ! I’d start looking for a new job

Wingingit11 · 21/02/2025 17:21

Toomuchlemonade · 21/02/2025 17:21

That does seem low! I work for the NHS and even we got a 5.5% pay rise this year!

That’s above inflation - I would not expect that much in private sector

Wingingit11 · 21/02/2025 17:21

Yeah loyalty doesn’t pay. No harm in saying you’re unhappy with that’s offered but depending on the promotion they might just dig firm.

Toomuchlemonade · 21/02/2025 17:21

That does seem low! I work for the NHS and even we got a 5.5% pay rise this year!

Original poster
ivegotthisyeah · 21/02/2025 17:21

ImagineRainbows · 21/02/2025 17:18

Sorry but it seems to me that you caused the issue by choosing to stay at a lower level last year.

No I did this as wanted more ammunition for this year and more experience under my belt in that job role in case what has happened happens and I feel more confident to interview elsewhere

OP posts:
Ryeman · 21/02/2025 17:20

ivegotthisyeah · 21/02/2025 17:16

I'll throw some figures at you lovely lot as I do think it's helps.
If I was full time my annual would be £29k
( laughable )
My friend who left last year was on £35k got a job offering her £41k. My promotion is for the same position as hers was so I was presuming this was like the normally salary range for that job role which when I have researched is about average for experience etc
I am so fucked off it's making me want to look for another job get rewarded for nothing

Leave then

likepeddlesonabeach · 21/02/2025 17:19

They will pay you the minimum they believe they can get away with paying you. If you won't make up an offer, go interview elsewhere, see what else you would be offered and then go back and threaten to leave unless they can match your best offer.

Original poster
ivegotthisyeah · 21/02/2025 17:19

They have said to work round it is promotion happens in June with a pay rise for that, but I think it's just another delay and I will once again be dissatisfied 😒, if they even do it. They are so full of shit.
I feel like I want an email from my head of office saying this is what will happen in June and an amount then I would be willing to wait.
I feel so deflated and think fuck em no above and beyond from me anymore

OP posts:
edwinbear · 21/02/2025 17:19

4% is a decent pay rise in the current climate - I got 2.5%, also private sector and was quite pleased given the NI rise in April. This is only your annual review pay rise though right? Wait and see what you get for the promotion in June.

ImagineRainbows · 21/02/2025 17:18

Sorry but it seems to me that you caused the issue by choosing to stay at a lower level last year.

ILoveMyCaravan · 21/02/2025 17:17

I worked very, very hard and fought for my job to be upgraded to the next pay grade. I got it. BUT so did everyone else on my team who were all coasting, even one person who had only recently joined, she couldn't believe her luck as she phoned all her family to tell them (in an open plan office). I too was awarded outstanding at my reviews, ultimately it meant nothing. I left.

ExtraOnions · 21/02/2025 17:17

The only way I’ve ever got a decent pay rise is by getting a job elsewhere, and negotiating a good starting salary

Original poster
ivegotthisyeah · 21/02/2025 17:16

I'll throw some figures at you lovely lot as I do think it's helps.
If I was full time my annual would be £29k
( laughable )
My friend who left last year was on £35k got a job offering her £41k. My promotion is for the same position as hers was so I was presuming this was like the normally salary range for that job role which when I have researched is about average for experience etc
I am so fucked off it's making me want to look for another job get rewarded for nothing

OP posts:
Savemefromwetdog · 21/02/2025 17:15

You have to leave/move or show an offer elsewhere to get a substantial pay rise in my industry (finance)

Fins2025 · 21/02/2025 17:15

Yep. That's a bit shit.

You need to get another job offer and negotiate hard. No point in bringing emotion into it.

CraftyNavySeal · 21/02/2025 17:14

Did you get a pay rise with your promotion though? I would have expected a pay rise then, not an additional pay rise for being promoted.

HermioneWeasley · 21/02/2025 17:12

im sorry you’re disappointed. It’s nearly 4% and inflation is at 2.5% so it’s better than a cost of living increase.

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