Work pay review

[NeverAgain123456]

I started a new job 14 months ago. At interview it was explained that the role would be varied and whilst being mostly based on my strongest skill set, it could involve quite a lot of different tasks and be varied. I was happy with this. The pay was slightly above average.

I got a good bonus at Christmas. I’ve not had an annual appraisal and the usual annual pay reviews have been delayed by 10 months until October.

The work has increased as we’re (gratefully) in an industry that has boomed through COVID.

I’ve been on a long training course and have taken on a great many more duties than the original job advert explained (no job description) but the boss was clever about this in the early days.

I recently found out that a less experienced part time colleague is on a higher hourly rate.

AIBU to think I should be receiving a pay review as what was a slightly above average salary now seems not so with inflation and extra duties? WWYD?

If you feel you can justify to your boss that you deserve more money - and it sounds like you can - then just go and ask. If they say yes then congratulations, if they say no then you know how much they value you.

But just ask.

Thanks for your reply. I should have said my boss is quite a difficult character. Almost impossible to please even when I do go above and beyond (which is most of the time). He would likely take offence to being asked, are there any tips for asking for a pay review?

Depending on the industry you are in you can do some benchmarking investigations yourself.

Have a look around for ADs for similar roles and collate the salary and job description info. If you can show that your salary is lower than average for that role then present that to your boss. I have done this in a previous role and got a £5k increase.

You say they are difficult but if you are good at your job and regularly go above and beyond they they won't want to lose you.

Good luck!

If you can show that your salary is lower than average for that role then present that to your boss. I have done this in a previous role and got a £5k increase

I’ve done this too successfully. Didn’t mean it was fun asking (hated it) but the pay off is worth it!

Generally it’s quite difficult to get large pay rises outside of the normal pay review cycle (without something substantial like threatening to leave or a promotion).

What you should definitely do is raise your pay as an issue well in advance of your pay review, it shouldn’t really be a shock on the day, you should have a fairly good idea of what will be on the table because of conversations you’ve had with your boss.

It will basically come down to what you could get elsewhere. Not anything to do with what other people are getting.

You phrase it as 'I've been here just over a year and would appreciate a review. My role has changed, and I would find it helpful'.

At that review say that you have enjoyed taking on increased responsibility etc, and consider that a pay review would show you are now performing at a higher level than reflected in your pay.

I once negotiated a significant pay rise. I had a discussion with my manager 6 months out from Pay Rise time along the lines of "I earn x and the going rate is Y. I'm performing well with good client feedback - for example X and Y recent situations. What do you need to see from me in order to move my salary to Y in October?" In my situ, the manager didn't have scope to negotiate outside of review windows but setting out my expectations in advance have him time to work internally and agree the rise.

Are you prepared to leave if they don't deliver?

While it’s frustrating to find out that someone is getting more for the same role, to an employer that’s not a good enough reason to pay you more. You need to demonstrate why you are worth more money (regardless of what other people are doing) and as PP said, find out what similar roles earn elsewhere. Good luck!

I have been in a similar situation. A new member of staff employed and got paid a good few grands more than I did at a time. I was more experienced, with a degree in the field and a professional qualification. The new person just graduated from uni with a degree not relevant to our job and with 2 months part time experience in office job but not related to what we do.

I was open and honest with manager and told them I'm aware 'a member' of staff is earning quite more than I do. I mentioned professional qualifications, degree and experience. I have then said nicely that I would be grateful if they could provide reasons for it.

It did work and I got what I wanted. Good luck to you Op. You don't ask, you don't get. All done in a nice way, just state facts, make them aware you know, ask for their reasons for it and see where it takes you.

You've You've given some great advice here, go for it!

A cautionary note though, don't reference your colleague's part-time status when you talk about differing rates. Part-time does not indicate lower value, at all. I appreciate your colleague isn't as qualified as you but lots of part-timers are well qualified and choose to work fewer hours for a variety of reasons. Referencing the part-time status won't add to your argument at all and you may not come out of it looking good.

I myself currently work less than full time hours (or am certainly paid to) but I am more qualified than most of my colleagues.

Thanks for the advice some really good pointers there. Apologies, I wasn’t suggesting the part time employee is lower value. She is valued and qualified, but whilst I could cover her holiday as I’m able to do her job through both ability and experience she isn’t able to cover mine, yet her hourly rate is higher. Her rate is probably correct meaning mine is too low.

OP, my apologies, I wasn't clear. I know you weren't devaluing your colleague's experience but was trying to say (clumsily) that it may come across that way if you mentioned it