Would you be happy with a 3.5% pay rise?

[Deria]

If last year, you got 1%?

Crikey, we felt guilty giving our staff 5%!

No, because inflation is 10% so that represents a massive real terms pay cut. Why would anyone be happy with a massive pay cut?

Thanks all, it’s public sector so no chance of annual bonuses or anything like that.

Fucking jubilant.

Millions will get nothing. Look at the economic climate and unless you're in a hugely profit delivering business, then yes, of course you should be happy with 3.5%.

I've not had one since 2013, when I started this job, so 3.5% would be an improvement, but it's not earth shattering is it?

trouble is, it'll just mean everyone is worse off

Accepting 3.5% because the economic climate is shit is very different to being happy with 3.5%.

And if public sector, there are ballots for strikes over more than 3.5%.

Yes. We had nothing this year and we're braced for nothing next year. Even if 3.5% is substantially less than inflation - it's a damn sight more than the big fat zero I've been getting.

It's tricky as I guess it depends on the sector etc. We got 3.5% plus £500 in July, November and January as a cost of living payment.

In my circumstances I have had a lifetime of poor pay and being told accept what you're given and be glad. I am recently retired and wouldn't want my ilk to have to endure the pitiful pay and circumstances that I have endured so no I wouldn't be happy with 3.5%. A percentage pay rise is relative to what your pay already is. Someone already on £100k is different to 1% of someone on £25k.

Yes. Better than no increase.

The problem is that everyone wants good public services, fair pay for public sector workers – and low taxes. I think that if we want to see 10% pay increases for public sector then we also all have to be prepared to pay 10% more council tax and at least an additional 2p on the basic income tax rate. Not just “the wealthy” - a term which many people seem to use to mean “anyone who earns more than I do” - but everybody who expects to benefit from public services should be prepared to pay a lot more for them.

As I work for a non profit I'll be glad to still have a job!

I’ve just been chatting to some of my colleagues… some are thinking they may leave in the new year, as privately they can earn in two days what we currently earn in two weeks. In a profession that is crying out for more of us!

No, I will leave if I don’t get a minimum of 5%. 5% will not cover my cost of living increases though as my mortgage alone is expected to
go up by £900 per month.

And then there's people on hourly rate minimum wage who get fuck all...

Having come from that ^^ I am now in a different sector entirely and salaried, I got a 2% pay rise in April. And a bonus in September that was eaten up entirely (all bar £10) by tax. Yes, a 3.5% pay rise I'd a real terms pay cut when inflation is at 10% but I'm just bloody grateful and feeling lucky that I'm not longer working my arse off for minimum wage with absolutely no prospect of a pay increase.

I haven’t had a pay rise for 2 years so I’d take it.

It drives me nuts when people are saying an increase is a pay cut. Yes, I completely understand inflation is 10% and that if you don't a rise of that amount, you won't be keeping up. However, it's not a pay cut . A pay cut is when your salary goes down. During the pandemic we took a 20% pay cut.

Surely if you are given a rise of 3%, 5% or whatever, you are still better off than you were and the gap is smaller than it was. Inflation will come down albeit slowly whereas salaries usually don't so it will even itself out, Working in private sector, I am grateful when I get an increase

I am paid hourly. When I started in 2003 I got £20 an hour, now it’s £21.12. I’d love ANY fucking pay rise.

Yes - I'd think my company was being irresponsible if it offered more than about that amount.
If a lot of people get raises in line with inflation, then that will lead to more inflation.

I'm getting 3.2% so not happy but slightly less stressed I suppose.

Yes!

No rise since 2019 and doubt I'll get one this year.

Suspect the only way I'll get one is if either the minimum wage goes above what I currently get or my rather sarky remarks about the extra hours I'm working taking me below the minimum wage cause someone to think about it.
I'm not actually trying to get a rise (place can't afford it at the moment, and I know from past experience that they are so keen to make sure everything looks fair that they will reward the people who are doing under their hours as much as over) but more making a point about that.