How to ask for pay rise ! (Clueless!)

[Puzzledpiece993]

So I've been at my work now over 10 years, Legal assistant in conveyancing.

Pay rises have been a small percentage over the years, and I am now on 21500 for 27.5 hrs work, which I have worked out full time would be equivalent to roughly 27500 ( I think) that's with a 4% pension contribution.

We are a small team of 1 solicitor 2 assistants so need to be very reliable, which I am and in my last few appraisals the feed back has just been to keep going the way I have been.

On comparable jobs in my area, (I've looked) I found 6 vacancies all ranging from £25-£30k or £28k-£32k, but I'm not looking to move companies. My work I'd very convenient after school drop off and have been good to me accommodating a change of hours request a few years ago, as I now work 9.30-3 to fit with school times, so I don't want to take the mick as I know school hour jobs are rare.

I've never done this before, how do I go about asking for a pay rise. My appraisal is coming up soon, so I think it's the perfect time.

Imo

You need to be messaging this well before appraisal ie. Now.

Whats more important 2.5-5k pa or the convenience of being down the road?

You may want to apply for one of those jobs... get it and the ask you current company for a counter offer.

Just ask, politely but firmly. Point out that you’re now barely above minimum wage. Have a specific number in mind (ie a 5% increase). Do you know whether your employer has put up their fee rates? That would also be a good argument.

This is a very normal conversation to have so no need to be anxious.

@SalmonOnFinnCrisp thank you, my appraisal is earlier than the others (normally in summer!) As my line manager missed my 2025 one and I did not chase ...

@AlastheDaffodils thank you very good points I had not thought of , I will check what minimum wage Is and also yes our fees have gone up quite alot in the last couple of years, I keep the record of this so I will also gather this info

My DSD was in this position recently. She found this on Etsy and spent time using it to work out what she'd say. Happy to report she did get it! I'm going to us the scripts to ask for a rise later on this year when we have a team review.

workplacewisdomco.etsy.com/listing/4431951021

@KayPop thank you I will check this out

Be matter of fact in your reasoning.

Rather than I want more money.
Here are the duties I carry out. In the market similar positions pay £x amount. To be fairly compensated I believe my salary should be £x

I did this last year. Before appraisals etc

Got a 9% rise on to of the usual 2-3% the company gives.

Be clear about exactly how much you want, don't just say you want more ... I'd be inclined to say I would accept 10% but if you could run to 15% then I would be an exceptionally happy bunny .... but this approach wouldn't work everywhere!

Beware if they say they can't do it, unless they are practically bankrupt they can do it, they are choosing not to, which is fair enough but can't is untrue.

When negotiating something with my last employer, and it was at a difficult time in the industry, he came out with the couldn't afford. I looked at him and said "I know you can do it if you want to". He did.

I explained exactly why I thought I should have a pay rise ie different responsibilities etc and then I supplied benchmarking evidence from a number of sources, and gave them a range of where I wanted to be.

I have ran my numbers today (having revised them as I did not realise my pension contributions were salary sacrifice) and I will be asking for 7.5% rise which hopefully isn't too cheeky ! I don't know whether to highball and ask for 10 with the hope of getting 7.5