I'd like to take issue with my salary review - can you lot help me do it in a 'reasonable' sounding manner? Ta.

[VVVExcitedAboutChristmasQV]

Just that, really.

Got an extra £4.81 a week. Or 30p an hour however you look at it.

Workload has doubled since November due to a merger. No bonus. 3.5% pay increase (average was 3% apparently but other's workloads werent affected by this merger).

I've actively taken part in the marketing brain-storming sessions. Got 3rd line whipped on it at one point.

Been on training course recently.

Put myself forward for staff "fun fund" committee.

Put myself forward for extra work/hours.

What's the best way to approach this?

be as factual and as cool and calm as possible

have you got your job spec? Tick off what you do, plus document all the extras expecially as you say workload has doubled

what is your relationship like with your line manager? If it is good, i would broach it informally first

Do you know who decided your payrise? Was it your line manager or was it someone higher in HR/Finance?

I only ask because sometimes departments get allocated a pot and it's up to the line manager how that pot gets divided. Or sometimes it comes from higher up and everyone is decided/evaluated individually.

Not that it matters, but it helps knowing who you need to 'pitch' to iyswim.

I think you have to be very factual about things like this and state your case and yours alone at first. So talk about your increased workload, your committment to the job especially in the light of the merger.

Did anyone get a bonus?

It's a small practice so no HR/Finance dept as such. All matters dealt with by hte partners, and discussed at partner meetings. One partner deals more with personnel stuff than the others, but there is no formality to the set up.

I dont know about bonuses. I wouldnt have thought so.

Last time i had a "conversation" with this partner (he'd shouted and jumped to conclusions and had a tantrum - literally), he acknowledged his behaviour but said "if you want me to apologise, I'm not going to give you one". He's a somewhat older version of a "yuppie".

The other partner that is senior (there are 7 partners altogether), intercepts mail (started a thread the other day), and a gift my colleague was sent from a client - he actually took home to give to his wife.

is this law or accountancy (or something else)?

they all sound mad as hatters. Can you get another job easily? Is it worth looking around to see what other people at your level in other firms are earning?

I would approach another partner and be very brief then...say you would like to set up a meeting to discuss your pay rise at a time that's convenient for him and put the ball in his court so that it's a set meeting rather than a brief discussion.

Accounting.....

I'm not sure a meeting would be particularly fruitful. I think, due to their limited experience of personnel issues, they dont really understand 'procedure' and I suspect a meeting would be considered as the the start and end of the subject (rather than being seen to go and 'review' the situation iykwim?)

I think I might write a letter outlining my concerns and see what happens. It's properly documented that way.....

Change jobs

Oh yes...why didnt I think of that......

Sorry QV - it's just that they sound like total tossers - so why bother putting yourself through loads of aggro and making yourself unpopular - job market totally healthy right now - vote with your feet - gwon - you know you want to ....

Because my colleague, who is senior to me, is my mum. Who also got entirely stitched up with her pay for exactly the same reasons. it makes it somewhat more difficult.

what sort of level are you on? there are a lot of jobs out there at the moment.

I suppose if they are that unapproachable, writing it down is the best option but I do think you need to think about your future if they are that unbearable most of the time (and stop putting yourself forward for extra stuff unless it's something you really enjoy/think will further your career because it doesn't sound like you are being rewarded for it)!