To not negotiate a higher salary because I'm worried I'll look greedy

[Spearshake]

I have been offered a promotion to a managerial position, managing a team of 6 people. I was initially happy with the salary they had offered me (£46K), but my partner thinks I should ask for more, because who knows when the next pay rise will come, he says. My manager explained how they arrived at the figure, saying that the salary is in line with what the other managers are getting, but she did (twice) mention the difference in my experience and theirs, ie that they have only been with the company for a year and I have been here for 15 years. I am nervous to ask for more, because I'm worried what impression it will give them. My partner says it's business and they expect it. Is £46K a reasonable salary for this kind of role, given my experience, etc? For information, it's a US company and my managers are American. That's for cultural reference. If I do ask for more, how do I go about it?

The time to negotiate a new salary is at point of offer, definitely NOT x months down the line. Lots of salaries are initially negotiable at management level but when a new salary is accepted, confirmed, input then you're very often at the mercy of set annual pay review periods from then onwards. A couple of leaner years for the company and organisation pay/recruitment wide freezes and you're stuffed and stuck where you are.

ALWAYS ask for more on a negotiable salary. And always give them a range, never one figure. And always face to face/by zoom initially.

On a £46k offer I'd approach it (face to face) as
'Hi x! Thank you for the job offer, I' d love to work with (insert something about job/team/area), I really feel like I could make a difference due to (very brief reminder of your skills or additional experience). I must be honest, the salary didn't quite meet my expectation... due to my additional experience in this area I was thinking that between £50 and £55k would be more fitting. I'm hoping there's some room for further review on this? '

Then followed up with an email. Again including a brief reminder of what you have to bring that differs from the existing team.

I'd be hoping they'd come back at £51, lower end of my suggestion but never rock bottom.

others aren't being paid more though?
the amount op has been offered is in line with what the other managers are already getting paid, not less.
Although I agree with the pp who said that by mentioning your longer time with the company your manager was basically hinting you could ask for more than them - although tbf the argument could work the other way - you have more experience with the company but they have at least a year's more managerial experience than you.
I would ask now, and then if they refuse ask if there's a possibility of a reconsideration after a year, once you've gained experience in the role. If not, as others said, usually you get a far bigger payrise through external job change rather than internally, and management experience is invaluable, so after a year or so you could definitely look elsewhere if you needed/wanted another payrise - it's an employees market atm.
Congratulations btw!!

Exactly this

Yabu. Always be expensive.

It’s all storytelling. You’re not a charity. State your value. “Based on [some comparable metric] I am worth £xxxxxx.” Not “could you give me”, but “this is my what I cost”. That way you are not being greedy, and instead they have justify paying you less than you’re worth. And they are being stingy if they refuse.

Be greedy. This is probably your own opportunity (starting a new role), once you've got it, it's hard to get big payrises in the future

Do your research.

If the market shows a higher salary, go for it.

It's not being greedy.

It's not being a mug.

Know your value and worth, it is always respected.

Don’t forget that it might affect your child benefit if you get it. You don’t want to cancel any increase by losing it.

Don't understand why people are saying this is the only time to get a pay rise. Depends on the company, doesn't it? You can always ask at your next review.

Always negotiate like a man. As women we too often end up underpaid because we are afraid of looking greedy or chancing our arm.

Look at comparable jobs and negotiate on the basis that it’s the market rate. Ask for more than you think you’d should get!

Go for it. Men have far fewer qualms about asking. I work in the City and I have always pushed back on the first salary offer (in a constructive way).

Don’t talk down any of your comparators but do be very unBritish and talk yourself up. Push your experience, highlight any key achievements, explain what you are bringing to the role and the positive contribution you can make. Don’t make threats that you will leave etc unless you are actually prepared to do it.

Yeah, it’s hard for women. If you don’t ask - you’re a not ambitious enough and you don’t know how to sell yourself. If you ask - you’re greedy.

in the end of the day, any business is just that. Business. It’s not personal. You definitely need to ask for more otherwise you will sell yourself short. 15 years in the same company! Talk about loyal! It does make a huge difference that they are American. They will expect you to negotiate.

Pay reviews are normally percentage based and hard to go outside policy. That's why it's even more important to start on the maximum possible.

“Greedy” is a nonsensical thought.

But you do need to think about why you are worth it.

Do your years of experience make you a better manager, working more quickly, inspiring the team, requiring less senior management time, increasing output?

Or did it take you fifteen years and others only one because they are better?

If the business hits hard times and needs to cut staff, will your higher salary mean you are more likely to go?

Asking for more is generally a good thing, to show you value yourself. But you need an understanding of why you are valuable TO THEIR BUSINESS otherwise it can look silly. You don’t want to show you don’t understand the financial drivers of the business.

Great suggestion and nice wording!

Please ignore all the shit advice of 'prove yourself first'. This is the kind of nonsense that holds women back in the workplace!

I've worked in recruitment for years and believe me your best chance to get a salary jump is in between jobs. It's very naive to think pay reviews will result in anything other than the minimum, they'll throw policy at you and no matter how well you've performed there will be a cap.

How much was your increase and what was that as a percentage?
I don’t think saying I was expecting at least 50k is unreasonable. Go for it!

The others are getting paid the same

Definitely negotiate. And who cares if you look greedy! Successful people are greedy for success and money. They might actually think less of yoy if you don’t negotiate. Say you have more years experience. That’s why you are asking for more ! It also shows you have negotiation skills which may be important for your job.

Also remember your next salary is often based on what you had before

“ hey boss, I am so excited about the role change and really looking forward to getting stuck in. I’d like to have a quick chat about salary, I’ll be honest I did expect it to be more in the 50k range due to my experience and skill set. Is there possibility for negotiation here?”

if there’s not, then get boss to agree when the salary will be reviewed

don’t ask - don’t get. It’s business not personal, it’s not greedy to negotiate a salary, it’s what you should be doing - unless the employer distinctly says no movement on salary during the interview process.

theyve offered - you can counter offer

YABU. Negotiate.

No man would ever think he was too greedy. Don't sabotage your own success. If they say no, you tried. If they say yes, you have more money.

How much of an increase is it? If you're going from 42k to 46k to take on extra responsibility and people management that's not great. If you're moving from 30k to 46k that's a lot better (obviously!)
But I agree with PPs, don't ask don't get! Just say based on the role and responsibilities, and your experience and skillset, you feel 50k is more appropriate. They can only say No, but if they say Yes that's great - more money for you!
BTW, I'm all talk and would be sick at the thought of it! I really wish I had the balls to do this given half the chance, so I understand your reticence.

Ask for more. I’d ask for £60k. You probably won’t get £60k but it sets a higher benchmark. Future salary rises are often a % of existing salary, so set the standard high

She HAS proved herself. This is a promotion to a more senior role.

Obviously she should negotiate!