Asking for a pay rise at new job

[mixedmamameansbusiness]

Back in June I was offered two jobs:-

1. paid £14/hr, corporate, a little journey away, all the benefits, paid overtime Receptionist
2. advertised by agency at £8-£10/hr (they then insisted they couldnt go more than £8 - it is temp to perm as was above). Small company, been going only nearly two years and a fantastic job near home and a very understanding, flexible employer. PA/Office Manager

Usually I wouldn't even have applied for job 2, but the role was perfect and the closeness to home clinched it. I applied on the basis that it would pay up to £10. I definitely have the experience etc (I was the only candidate interviewed and last thing in the afternoon and by 9am had an offer).

The agency wouldn't budge on the £8/hr and I accepted because it seemed (and is) great.

My three month probationary period is coming to an end shortly and I want to renegotiate the pay and am looking for ideas.

I am fairly certain that he is happy with me. I hold the company debit card and have my own budget, I have access to the bank account and all kinds of things that show trust has been placed in me and that this is a long term role. Both my boss, colleagues, clients and suppliers have all commented on how much better things have been since I have been here - even the bosses girlfriend.

I realise though, we are still a small company, he is being very good to me in terms of understanding about other committments and investing in my training which I requested to go on. We are also still a new company even though we now have 5 members of staff altogether in two years.

I want to ask for about £12 an hour. Is this reasonable? We pay a Virtual Typing agency £16.50 and professional occasional freelancers £25.

I have no plans on leaving or going elsewhere if he says no, which can only be on the basis of new/growing company but want to present myself in a non-confrontational way and secure the £12 but don't really want to have to start high and negotiate. I just want to say, this is what I think I am worth based on X Y Z, can you do that?

Are you still being paid as a temp through the agency? The mention of pay as £/hr suggests so but then talk of a three month probationary period coming to an end is also unusual for a temp job? If you are still being paid as a temp, then the agency will be getting quite a hefty fee on top of that so the company could certainly afford to increase your pay rate (even allowing for then paying you for holidays, Employers NI etc) and not end up paying more overall. If you want to say in this job, suggest that they employ you and pay you an annual gross salary so rather than asking for a rate per hour, come up with the gross salary you believe you are worth and ask for that.

Thanks. Yes, it is temp for three months with the agency and then going permanent, so yes I need to ask for a gross salary.

Is it ok to use the virtual secretary example do you think?
I think I have a lot of solid evidence that I am doing a good job and they are very happy, they often tell clients they couldnt do without me now.

He pays 11.50 for me to the agency plus VAT.

In the current climate he may have other plans for the money once the agency's fee is gone, so you need to be prepared for a knock back just in case. have all your solid evidence of how valuable you are to hand.

Ask "OK, if you are not in a position now to give me an increase, when would be reasonable for us to discuss again" and "What do I need to be doing to add value to my output to justify a salary raise of X"

The other stuff above is good as well. Best of luck!

Thanks. That sounds good. He is reasonable so if he does say no he will have good reasons.

Its tricky. My bosses used to say dont mention rise to other workerrs.

I wouldn't use the Virtual Secretary rate as an example as their rate covers all the stuff that I mentioned previously - the fact that you don't pay them for holidays, you pay only for the time you use, you are not meeting their office overheads etc. It would be better, if you think you are going to need examples, to look at some local similar roles which are currently being advertised and use those as evidence.