To be really upset about my wages

[Andzelikaa]

I recently asked for a payrise as I’ve been struggling for money due to the increase in cost of living. I hadn’t had any sort of pay review since before lockdown or even a one to one. My manager actually thought I was on more money than I was getting and sprang into action. I was brought into a meeting room and told by a director that my hard work is greatly appreciated and I would get a payrise which would be in my April wage. The director who told me this also told me to make sure to check my payslip to make sure it went through ok.

I checked my bank account on payday and my payrise had not been actioned. I am abroad and have not been in the office so I emailed my manager who at first apologised and said we’d get it sorted. He then emailed me back saying no the payrise was only going through in my May wage that’s how payroll works. I replied disputing this as it wasn’t what I was told and he completely ignored me. I know he has been in the office.

i feel absolutely embarrassed and humiliated by this and wish I hadn’t asked for more money as this has stressed me out so much. I feel that I was lied to my face and ignored. AIBU if I complain to HR? I’ve never been one to make a fuss but I’m so deeply hurt and feel even more worthless than I did before.

I feel embarrassed as I feel very stupid for being led to believe I was going to get more money this month. I felt embarrassed asking for more money in the first place.

You are being unreasonable for feeling embarrasssed and for checking in when the payrise you were promised didn't show in your pay as you'd been promised.

Stand up for yourself. You were promised something. If it's not sorted out in your next paycheck then you can take things further.

Oh and never plan for extra money until it’s in your account.

I get you're dissapointed the raise isnt in this month but this is a massive over reaction.

You seem to feel your workplace are out to get you, not sure if there is any foundation for this.

If it's any consolation, I was agreed a payrise in october which didn't materialise until February. It turned out it was something I had to sign but which hadn't been sent to me to sign. I was annoyed and eventually quite frustrated. I didn't, however, feel embarrassed or worthless or humiliated. Where has that come from?

I didn’t actually plan anything with it.

I think this is an over reaction too. You've asked for a payrise and got it, that is a big success. It's annoying that your manager wasn't aware of the complexities of payroll and your new wage will be in May but given that your April payslip is the same as it ever was and the same as what it would be if you hadn't negotiated a payrise, I'm not sure how that leaves you humiliated. You are diminishing the positive.

When was it actually agreed OP?

In my place of work, salaries are calculated on 6th of the month to be paid on 25th. If you spoke to your manager on 7th or 8th for example, he might well have thought it was enough time for the rise to be processed without knowing the actual cut-off date. if that's the case, it should be backdated in your May pay packet. Definitely confirm it with payroll early next week.

When I started my 1st job, I was put on the 3rd rung of the salary scale, along with everyone fresh out of uni. I queried this and was told it was correct. However, I had 4 years' post uni experience which I then needed as I was asked to teach a subject which required that experience. 2 years later, a chance conversation with a new business manager revealed that I had indeed been underpaid by a salary point for 2 years. I thought I'd be quids in, but it wasn't actually that much and I lost most of it in tax & pension contributions...

To paraphrase Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.

Big mistake. Overreaction Big. Huge

Is there some sort of backstory ?

I don’t understand your reaction to this. You asked for a pay rise and got one which is great. I’d be so happy if I got that result. Quite annoying that you didn’t get the rise in the month that you expected, but to wish you’d never even asked and were therefore not getting the pay rise at all is absolute madness. Do you have other issues which are causing stress or something?

This sounds like a huge overreaction to something that’s quite irritating. Is there a backstory? Do you usually feel worthless and humiliated? Might be time to look for another job.

Severe pms

Just email the director to say thanks for agreeing my pay rise for April, I appreciate the cut off for payroll was missed so just wanted to confirm that this will be backdated when I receive my salary in May.

the end.

Hi op youve done brilliantly to bring yourself down from an emotional rollercoaster and to realise the issue is hormones.

well done for having the courage to ask for the pay rise in a way that was successful.

youll get a lot of people asshats not reading your updates and so you will be continued to be criticised for your initial anger for pages. Just remember that was you hours ago, not you now, and youve grown whereas they are still not RTFT. 😂

I don't think you're wrong for being upset as you were told you'd get the pay rise in April. It may be that Payroll need the information by a certain day and they missed the deadline. I hope you get it sorted.

You’ve done so well asking for a pay rise and getting it, I can understand if you’re hormonal and have blown it out of proportion a bit. Don’t feel embarrassed just relax and try and think about it logically. It’s nothing to get yourself worked up over.
I am sure you realise now from other posts it may be a payroll error/cut off date especially if it’s a large company. I’m sure it will be sorted this month.

Firstly, I think you were bloody brave to ask for your payrise in the first place. Not enough people, especially women, do it. I'm really impressed that you recognised you are worth more than you were earning and you made them see it and not only agree, but commit to doing something about it. Seriously, good on you. You have nothing to feel embarrassed about here. Secondly, your bosses don't know how payroll works. Everything is done quite a bit in advance, it doesn't just happen on payday. You should get your payrise in May, but if not, check with HR, if they've not been informed, straighten your crown and go back to your boss.

Also, for everyone, you should get at least written notes from your review meeting so everyone knows what has been discussed and agreed. If you're not sure that's going to happen, ask if you can record the conversation, for your own private notes.

Do you get paid for April’s work in May? Most places pay in arrears. Could all been a misunderstanding - you’ll be collecting April’s wages (with increase) in May.

How much money are we taking? I mean surely you wouldn't even know the true figure after tax until you received it (and you wouldn't have earmarked it for vital expenses before actually receiving it?)

I think you are being ridiculously over the top.

You asked for a payrise and it's going to be a month later than expected. Annoying yes but I don't get the need for all the dramatics.

Imagine if the answer to the payrise had been an outright no

I would call HR/payroll but not to complain, just to find out what’s happening. Will you patties be backdated to April? Has is definitely been processed for May? Is it the agreed amount? Etc etc. no harm in asking questions but often kicking up a stink (amount a miscommunication) often causes more harm than good.

I meant pay definitely not patties 😂

I think this happens a lot. While it's fantastic that the lowest paid people are now getting pay that goes up with inflation, that increase is rarely mirrored up the line and pay differentials are rapidly being eroded.

When I started with my current employer, I was getting 2.5 times NMW. That same role now (15 years later) 1.25 times NMW. This has caused staff shortages on some projects, because what used to be a progressive step in terms of pay for staff on NMW in residential settings is no longer an attractive option in terms of pay, and not worth the extra hassle and responsibility.

It's always a bit awkward talking about money but they sound like they've been really good about it actually and it's just a payroll processing issue. I would go direct to payroll with any more questions.

I suspect the reason for the delay is the Easter bank holiday weekend - it always seems to throw things like payroll off, for some reason!

When you get back into the office, arrange to speak to your manager in person and explain you need it (in writing) that the director confirmed your payrise would be from April and therefore it will be backdated in your May pay packet.

Please don't feel worthless. Your company does not think you are worthless or they would not have given you a pay rise.