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?

Do it OP, I've done it three times over the last three years with promotions and have got big fat pay rises as a result.
I've never been sacked for asking.
You just write down why you think you are worth more - experience etc and send it in an email if you want and ask for a review in person.
I've had 30k off work for demanding my worth.
They can only say no. They expect people to do this and deliberately offer low to start with.

So, I made a counter-offer of 52K, thinking that if I go high, they'll meet me somewhere in the middle....but they didn't budge AT ALL! So, basically it's 10% or nothing. I asked about other benefits, eg training, future pay rises, but they were not very clear in their responses. I feel quite deflated to be honest, and I am questionning whether it's worth taking on this new job for a mere 10% increase. I've managed a team before (in this company) and I remember the stress of looking after a team, the extra meetings, more interaction with angry/upset clients. For 10%, I'm just not sure it's worth the extra stress; I am 49 years old, about to hit the menopause and my priority is honestly just to look after my mental health. The only thing I worry about is that upper management will think I am feckless and unambitious by not taking the job. And then there's the whole thing of feeling like I am letting them down. The guy at at the top is quite ego-driven and takes things personally, so I fear he might never give me a pay rise again! I know these are not reasons to accept the job, but I'm just voicing my inner fears. Any thoughts?

I should add - I really like my current role at work. I get to interact with people I like, use my skills and it's not especially taxing. Plus, I have a very flexible work situation where I can take time off for myself, which they've said won't change, but I know with the new role, I'll be fretting about being able to take that time off.

I don't think the job sounds worth it to you unless you want to use the title to move elsewhere.

Their refusal to negotiate tells me they are not concerned with you being content with your salary, so I would think long and hard before you commit to such stress for pittance when the menopause looms.

Based on the above, not a chance.

Your work life balance if better served staying put.

I don't think the job sounds worth it to you unless you want to use the title to move elsewhere.

That. You know now that other, much less experienced people on same level are paid the same, so the company does not seem to value your contribution that much. Personally I would take it and start looking for other opportunities.

I don’t think this sounds good either, and I agree that both taking and declining the promotion are now problematic. Do you have the stamina to accept the promotion and start job hunting? It could be a springboard to a better job than you could get from your present position, in a few months

I haven’t been in your exact situation but sounds to me like they want to use you for a lot more responsibility but not much reward (10% pay rise this year barely covers inflation in your current role). They haven’t increased the offer as they don’t value you, you either accept or move on and they are happy either way. Stick to what you have & get a new job on 10% more doing exactly the same x

In the end it depends if you (not your partner) think it is reasonable.

I have never once asked for more money, because (a) that's what they pay and they don't negotiate or (b) they warned me in advance of interview that was the salary, so I had a choice not to bother taking it further or (c) I felt it was a good salary for what I do. Usually (c). I am not greedy, I have a cushy number compared with teachers and nurses and I look at salaries through that lens.

But it depends if you need more money for your lifestyle. 10% for a promotion would seem good, but perhaps not with the current cost of living crisis.

I do subscribe to the "if you don't ask you don't get" idea - if you do want more, ask for it. The worst they can do is say no.

Sorry I missed that you had asked and they said no.

So they are paying someone with 15 years experience the same as someone with one? Are those other people men?

I'd take it but don't fret if you want to take time off. Do the job to suit you, not them. NB just because you are 49 doesn't mean that you will have a bad time with the peri-menopause. Unless you already are.

No, my counterparts are female, one in the US and one in China. I think I am already overpaid in my current role, and they are reluctant to increase to more than 10%.

This is exactly what I am worried about - that staying in my current role will be a problem. I'm guessing most people move on following something like this, but I don't feel like moving on frankly. I just hope that things are not unpleasant now.

Your partner's right - a man wouldn't even think about not asking. Do you have grade/banding so you could see where you salary is within that? And research what similar roles are paid elsewhere. That seems a low salary to me, my salary is only just below that and I don't manage anyone.

I'd decline it Op, as it's not worth the extra stress & aggro for only 10%.

I hope I’m wrong, OP. But from a distance I don’t like the vibe at the present firm

Incredibly disappointing for you. You must have really psyched yourself up for that too, only to now worry it may sour the milk.

i personally would not accept, and try to move on to somewhere else. How bad could it get? Either way it’s tricky for you now and pathetic that they wouldn’t budge especially since the manager said you’ve far more experience.

also fwiw re child benefit, you can earn a fair whack over the £50k before it affects CB as pension is taken out of the equation, go on the CB website there is a calculator. You’re almost always best off with a pay rise.