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Original poster

Not sure what to do

28 replies

SarahJop22 · 22/08/2018 19:06

Okay, so I work in a job I love. Lovely colleagues and interesting work.

I knew I was underpaid for what I do but I fell into the role through a promotion and at the time I was happy to make the progression (with a token £2000 pay rise). The promotion involved a lot of studying for a qualification that I did in my own time. Work paid for the course.

So, five years in to the current role, I decided to start looking at what else was out there. I then realised exactly how much I was being underpaid (in the region of £5-10K less than typical for similar roles).

I applied for another post on almost £8000 more than I am on now. I asked my boss permission for a reference and he agreed.

I have an interview next week. My boss has now asked if there is anything he can do to get me to reconsider.

Should I ask for a rise? If so, should I do this before the interview (bearing in mind I might not get the job).

What's the best way of going about this? I've never been in this situation before.

Thanks

OP posts:
RandomMess · 22/08/2018 19:08

If you are offered the other job yes ask them to match the salary and terms...

Original poster
SarahJop22 · 22/08/2018 19:10

But should I wait until after I'm offered the job? I might not get it and be left in the same situation I have been for the last five years.

If I bring it up before the interview then surely I'm in a better position. I could agree not to even go to the interview if I am offered a rise.

OP posts:
RandomMess · 22/08/2018 19:12

Well of course you can!

VanillaBeans · 22/08/2018 19:14

I would just explain exactly what you did here :)

Say that you’ve compared similar roles with your level of responsibility and they pay significantly more than your current salary. And that although you appreciate the funding for the course greatly, with 5 years + experience you feel like you have earned a higher salary.

User878929333 · 22/08/2018 19:22

If he’s asked if there’s anything he can do to get you to reconsider, say yes, you love the job and you would be willing to stay if he could match the market rate for the role which is around £10000 more.

If you would be willing to stay and not pursue the other job if he matches, certainly do it now. If he is unable/unwilling to go high enough, you can always go on to do the interview and leave if it’s worth it to you.

Have you worked out how much you’ll have in your pocket once tax (if it nudges you into another bracket) any extra travel is taken into account? This might help you to decide how much uplift from your new employer is equal to moving to the new role.

Original poster
SarahJop22 · 22/08/2018 19:24

Ok, I'll go and see him in the morning. So nervous though. I am not confident with this kind of thing.

I would rather stay in my current job and get the pay I feel I deserve but, if it comes to it, I am prepared to leave. My boss will find it very hard to replace me on the current salary. So much so, I don't even think he'll get any applicants.

If I do go and he advertises my role on a higher salary...do I have any rights regarding legal action?

OP posts:
User878929333 · 22/08/2018 19:25

Oh and ALWAYS go in with the higher figure. If you say £5-10k, he’ll go £6k and you’ll be stuck negotiating up. If you say £10k he’ll go £9k and still feel like he’s done a deal Grin

Original poster
SarahJop22 · 22/08/2018 19:26

It's a slightly longer commute but would still be worth it. Slightly higher tax too but again, I'd still be better off.

OP posts:
NapQueen · 22/08/2018 19:26

Go in at ten.

Original poster
SarahJop22 · 22/08/2018 19:26

Sorry, I keep cross posting.

Yes, I need to start with the higher figure.

OP posts:
LordEmsworth · 22/08/2018 19:33

You don't have any rights regarding legal action if it's simply that they paid you less than you could get elsewhere, but then you leave and they have to pay market rate. Unless there's discrimination or your pay is under minimum national wage. Take the opportunity to practise asking for more...

DrCorday · 22/08/2018 19:45

Be factual.

You believe you are underpaid.
You feel undervalued due to this.

And, in response to his question on what he can do, you request he reviews your salary and overall package prior to your interview taking into consideration the vacancies you have found (send him a print screen of 3 vacancies).

If you google search “free salary survey” you may be able to find a credible survey that shows a “typical” salary for your role for the area (it will depend on the role, so for professional roles like Marketing, Finance, HR, Procurement etc, Hays Recruitment do a great salary survey (I have a hard copy of this years if you can’t access it). This also supports your request for a salary review.

Unemployment is at its lowest for a long time. It’s a candidate market and organisations are paying higher wages to secure the skill they require. Ultimately, if this role is higher salary / prospects / flexibility / benefits etc, you should move on. With this in mind, salary surveys might be out of date if it was produced earlier in the year.

It is definitely worth sharing the information you have gathered, and express your disappointment that you’re having to raise it with them, instead of them recognising your worth and you looking elsewhere.

Good luck!

runforthehillsandscream · 22/08/2018 19:50

Don't feel bad for asking. Women tend to not ask for raises or if they do say "I just wanted to ask" or "I feel underpaid"

Don't use feelings or belittle what you are asking for. You deserve it and they would rather pay you more than put the time and money in to recruit a replacement and they would probably struggle to fill the role without raising the salary anyway Smile

Be clear and precise and tell them that your role is underpaid based on your research of the market and you would like your salary to be reviewed in line with your experience

Good luck Smile

Pythonesque · 22/08/2018 20:11

The course was perhaps in a sense funded by not giving you the pay rise the post justified. Now that you have the qualification you need the pay rise commensurate with your training and responsibilities. Good luck with the discussion and make it clear that though you love where you work and have some loyalty, you cannot afford not to go for the job that values you at a higher pay rate.

Original poster
SarahJop22 · 22/08/2018 20:15

Brilliant advice. Thank you.

I have printed off 3 very similar job adverts (one for almost £14000 more than my wage). I will take it in tomorrow.

My role is quite niche but I will have a look on the salary survey to see if there's anything there.

I definitely feel more confident now about meeting with him tomorrow. I think you're right about women asking for more, it just seems that we are happy to be employed at all sometimes and don't feel that we are in a position to challenge.

Thanks again. I will let you know how it goes.

OP posts:
Original poster
SarahJop22 · 22/08/2018 20:17

Yes Python, I think I have more than paid for the course after five years. I will mention this tomorrow!! :)

OP posts:
DrCorday · 22/08/2018 20:33

Definitely agree with runforthehillsandscream, use facts, not feelings.

Being prepared is good. Hope it goes ok.

Original poster
SarahJop22 · 23/08/2018 17:13

Well I gave it a go.

He said that there is no money for pay rises at the moment and he would have to give it some serious thought.

Not looking likely. Maybe I need to get offered another job before it is considered.

Shame.

OP posts:
Ehhh · 23/08/2018 17:47

Sorry to hear that OP. Hopefully you will find something well-paid soon!

bastardkitty · 23/08/2018 17:49

Best of luck with your interview. It's clear where you stand now.

Haint · 23/08/2018 18:03

Well that’s a shame isn’t it? They’ll have to find extra money in the budget for recruiting your replacement and, presumably, pay them the going rate which is in excess of what they pay you. That’s really going to put their budget under strain. Good luck with your interview :)

DrCorday · 23/08/2018 21:01

You need to nail this interview and get out of there. They’ll get the shock of their lives trying to replace you “like for like”

Keep us all updated on how you get on

Original poster
SarahJop22 · 23/08/2018 22:35

Thank you for your support.

The problem is that the job is very niche. The job specs I managed to find to show my boss were spread over the UK and absolutely not realistic commutes. The job rarely comes up locally which is why I have to nail this one next week! It may be some time before another opportunity comes up nearby.

I'll give it my best shot next week and keep you posted :)

Thanks again.

OP posts:
grumpy4squash · 23/08/2018 23:14

Good luck with the job interview - really hope you get it.
However, even if you don't, you have (brilliantly) stated your case clearly and your manager will know you are looking elsewhere. He/she will realise that it is a matter of time until you go and that a pay rise would retain you …… maybe they'll pull something out of the bag, maybe not, but I think you are in a good position.

grumpy4squash · 23/08/2018 23:17

He said that there is no money for pay rises at the moment and he would have to give it some serious thought.

Actually, at second glance, he's making a very ambiguous statement there. Why would he think about it, it there's no money? Maybe he can get a special dispensation....??? (or just being a tosser?)

Do you like working for him? Would you stay?

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