Pay rise

[MadHouseUpNorth]

In my work place pay rises are awarded every year during staff reviews. Last year I was on maternity leave and was given a pay rise on my return in April 2018. We've just had our appraisals and not a word of my salary changing although everyone else was given a rise. A small company, our handbook states that salaries are reviewed on a yearly basis. Am I wrong thinking that I should be entitled to one this month? Or am I just greedy...

I don’t think so. Everyone has had theirs in 2018 so if they have theirs in 2019 you should have yours as well.

Ask them.

I really hate the idea of having to ask but as they say 'no ask no get' It's only a small percentage but still.

Nobody's entitled to a pay rise, have you earnt it, can you prove it?

I had my review which was very positive, not a single bad word or a need of improvement in any area was mentioned so I should think that I'm ticking all the boxes.

Yes, you really need to raise it. It's not rude - it's a transaction. Prepare what you want to say in advance and think about the different possible answers they could give and what your responses could be - when you'll keep pushing and at what point you'll accept it. I used to find talking about salary very awkward but it's part of the work relationship.

”our handbook states that salaries are reviewed on a yearly basis.”

‘Reviewed’ doesn’t mean ‘increased’, but absolutely you should ask. You had a positive appraisal, so you should ask your manager for confirmation on your salary for next year, as you are aware others are having an increase.

So all you need to ask is for the outcome of your yearly pay review please.

It would be worth checking if a pro-rata increase is due.

If your salary review cycle takes place every Dec, and you were awarded your increase in Apr, because you were on Mat Leave last Dec then that was a fair outcome.

If they're now saying you can't have an increase this Dec because you had one in Apr, that sounds unfair if it's a matter of timing, rather than performance. They need to be transparent with you what their rationale is, and confirm you're being assessed fairly, according to how their policy for Mat Leave and pay increases is being applied.