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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU to ask for a pay rise 2 months in?

12 replies

Pinklemons9 · 04/09/2023 22:03

I started a new role 2 months ago working for a global company. The salary was £1k less than my previous salary but working for such a large company should lead to progression opportunities, although I have to have been with the Co. for a year before applying for a new role internally.

What I didn’t take into account was the pension contributions. My previous employer offered a generous pension so I didn’t pay anything into it. I’m now paying towards my own pension so in total my take home salary is just short of £300 less than what it was per month. This is a complete oversight on my part.

The job was advertised at a higher salary than what I am on however I went in lower as the role was looking for someone fully qualified and I have a final exam to complete. Despite being more than qualified skills/ experience wise, the company is very funny about qualifications.

AIBU to ask for a pay rise? I should also add that I have been made a line manager in my new role and no pay rise was offered despite this not being part of the original job spec. They also tried to recruit for my role for a year before I was offered it.

I applied for a new role last week and I have been offered an interview but I’m nervous of jumping ship so soon. I suddenly thought why don’t I just ask for a pay rise?

To top it off, yesterday my ex told me his new job has a much lower salary and he needs to inform CMS so the child maintenance could come done also.

OP posts:

LifePortfolio · 04/09/2023 22:07

Not unreasonable to ask, especially if the alternative is leaving. Good luck!

Daffidale · 04/09/2023 22:18

Broadly asking for a pay rise only 2 months in, and mainly cos you didn’t look at the whole package properly (pensions etc) is a bad look. You need to have a good work-related justification for why you are now worth more.

The extra line management responsibility is really your only justification here. I’d want to know whether other people at your level line manage people tho before relying just on that.

I would consider waiting until you have completed the missing exam, and ideally have a better offer in your pocket from another company before asking.

Candlelight34 · 04/09/2023 22:26

Bad move.

Unexpectedlysinglemum · 04/09/2023 23:16

How long until you finish the exam? How long is your probation period?

Original poster

Pinklemons9 · 05/09/2023 09:07

Completing the exam would take at least 6 months.
I have no problem with looking for a new job, I have a good CV and would be able to find a new role pretty quickly. I feel I should at least give them an opportunity to keep me via a pay rise.
However, asking for a pay rise is definitely outside of my comfort zone and I don’t know how I’d feel about working there after asking for one. I think I will continue to look for a new role and then use this as bargaining power, or take the role of it is better. £300 less a month is a lot in the current climate as a single parent of 2. Although it’s due to an oversight on my part, I don’t have to live with that decision.

OP posts:

andymary · 05/09/2023 09:56

You could just use the premise of having a promotion to Line Manager as your reason for a pay rise. The qualifications and only being there for 2 months would be negligible compared to that.

Singleandproud · 05/09/2023 09:59

Personally I would stop adding the extra to my pension for 6 months, pass my exam, pass probation and then ask for a pay rise, citing the line management responsibilities and your newly qualified status as the reason.

AlltheFs · 05/09/2023 10:03

It’s normal to wait until you are out of probation, so whenever that is.

TheGoodBanana · 05/09/2023 15:09

I would stop my pension contributions short term, complete the exam and then ask for a payrise.

I don't think asking during the probation period is very reasonable.

What was agreed when adding the line management aspect of the job? That would have been a good opportunity to negotiate.

PinkRoses1245 · 05/09/2023 15:10

Asking for a rise based on pension contributions doesn’t look great. You could have found out about this when you got the offer. You could ask based on now being a line manager

MinnieMouse0 · 05/09/2023 15:13

I would def ask but I think maybe wait until the end of probation meeting with your line manager.

It’s not a bad thing to only be in a job for a few months imo, as long as it’s not a habit!

Chocolatelabradorsarethebest · 05/09/2023 15:16

Depending on what your pension contribution levels are, the £1k payrise would only be about £50 net per month extra. If you’re £300 a month down, is that going to make a dent in the loss?

What I mean is you’d be best to either ask for nothing or more, e.g. £5k, but like others I’m not sure it would be the best look. We’ve had people ask after a month and haven’t increased, particularly as they’re still in probation. It might be you could ask when you pass your probation?

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