Advice on asking for a rise

[Birdscape]

I have worked in the same job for many many years. The job has evolved over time as my children have become older and I have been able to learn more, train more and take on more responsibility. For the last 8 years or so I have been running all of my own caseload with limited imput. I am a fast worker (not a stealth boast) and I do all my own admin and type all of my own letters, contracts etc. My boss relies on me a lot and for the last several years he has been able to take two two week holidays a year and several other breaks. I know that if I wasn't here he wouldn't be able to do that. I received a big jump in pay say five years ago after a lot of negotiation. However, I don't think I earn enough for what I do. For perspective I live locally, no travel costs and get 6 weeks holiday a year. I could earn may £10k a year more by travelling but I'm not that keen because it would mean adding at least 2 hours on to my day. I feel that if I could even ask for a few thousand extra I would feel more valued and appreciated. Thoughts please?

The best thing to do is to prepare a ‘case’ explaining why you deserve a raise.
You last had a big jump 5 years ago, was that asked for by you - or did they just offer it?
Do you get an annual salary review? If yes, what sort of increases do you receive? If it’s generous you might have to expect that the company will say your work is already measured that way.

You need to list everything extra you’ve taken on in the last 5 years and what value it adds to the company. Try and think of it as you’re adding value to the organisation so that should be reflected in your pay. Think about how those extra tasks benefit the company and any tangible evidence you have - have you increased sales? Added cost cutting measures? Trained staff? Etc. What do you do that nobody else can? Try to be as thorough as possible.

Arrange a meeting with your manager and explain that you are asking for a raise and have prepared some justification as to why. Speak confidently but not aggressively as you present your case.

Also expect that you might be turned down. Ask for a reasonable increase but be open to negotiation, don’t ask for a silly figure off the bat. If you are turned down, ask your manager what steps you’d need to do to secure a raise.

Good luck!

See if you can find any jobs advertised that you feel equivalent to yours and what they are advertised at by way of comparables to show your boss the market rate.

Allthebestnamesareused that's what I did the last time but the rate has gone up quite a lot since then. I do take on a lot of extra responsibility that is not necessarily my job but there's not many other people that can do it. I am the only person in the firm that does my actual job.

In my opinion feeling valued and appreciated is nothing to do with money.