Payrise higher than anticipated

[Changeeman]

I recently discussed my annual pay review with my manager, and was told that my payrise would be X amount and I'll receive a letter in the post from HR to confirm. I must admit that I was a little disappointed as I thought it was on the low side but didn't say anything, just thank you etc

I've had a letter come in the post today and the pay rise stated on the letter is roughly double the amount I was originally quoted.

What would you do?

It’s possible the amount your manager said was wrong, but I’d double check with them just in case.

Hmmm

I wouldn't say anything but I'd be suspicious.

It looks as though you were already allocated the larger payrise but that your immediate manager put you down for a lower one. Has she ever done anything like that before? How did last year go?

In terms of percentage, what were you offered by your manager and what did you actually get?

I would mention it; it may be an error. If they find out they will think you are dishonest. Not worth getting a bad reputation

The percentage discussed was 3.6% and amount on the letter is roughly 7%

This reminds me of the time years ago when I worked for a man who said "your payrise this year is 4% - I tried really really hard to get you 6.5% but the higher ups wouldn't budge.

He was unaware I had seen the recommendation he gave to the higher ups about me. He had recommended 4% and fucking lied to me. Fucking snake. Make sure there's nothing like that going on.

I wouldn't say anything though or worry about getting a reputation.

Yea I would flag this just in case. Last thing you want is to owe the difference back.

I would also query it. Otherwise you might suddenly have a large overpayment to repay, and doubts over your integrity.

Should I query with HR or with my manager?

How would you phrase the question?

Might there be a cost of living / inflation increase on top (if this is your first year there)?

Wait until it's actually gone ahead and been paid. It might be a typo. I wouldn't mention it to your manager though.

What do you think has happened here? Your gut feeling?

I would just politely thank him for negotiating a much bigger pay rise for you. You have it in writing now. I certainly wouldn't be asking if there was a mistake and giving him a chance to renege on it.

Personally, I haven't had more than about 2-2.5% in so many years, I would have been delighted with 3.6%!

This is my first year, I line manage and have performed well and have a good relationship with my manager.

The amount I was verbally told l aligned with the percentage that was awarded to the people I line manage, but they have had performance issues and received the lowest %. Hence why I felt a little disappointed to receive the same % when I've exceeded expected progress.

I think it could either be human error, or my manager told me the wrong amount by mistake

Say nothing but keep the difference kept aside in savings.

it’s more likely that your manager got the wrong % than HR sent you a letter with the wrong %. Keep the letter, and then if you get the 3.6 next month instead of 7, challenge it!

I have worked it out more precisely and it's a 7.09% increase which makes me think it's more likely to be an error on HR behalf as it's such a random number?

This is what I would do too.

Leave well alone. If you had not asked what you could expect in the way of a pay rise you would have been none the wiser. Just go with the flow and hope you actually do get 7%. You are not being dishonest

If you decide to do nothing, do not spend the excess and be prepared to pay it back (or have it taken from your salary) at some point later in the next year.

It's appalling but my company sometimes makes mistakes with payroll (like, someone joined on last week of December, existing staff got 3% from 1st Jan, they shouldn't have got 3% as in their contract the pay award would not be applied as already bundled into the salary just advertised. They got awarded the 3%. I discovered the error a couple of months later doing a reconciliation (I work in accounts but not payroll). We recovered it back over a couple of months.)

I think it was easy to see the contract was the intended salary and the letter an error as HR just sent the 3% out to all staff, but if the person had disputed tbh I think the letter would have stood - just depends how you want your reputation to be and if that might harm your future earning growth.

Thanks for the thoughts, I'm really unsure of what to do as it was only a verbal exchange with my manager. I got my teams confirmations in writing and have checked theirs have been processed correctly but mine is obviously vastly different.

I would keep quite and be prepared to pay it back!

Definitely wait and see what happens when you're paid

There is a chance your actual boss has no clue

This happened to me about 7/8 years ago - instead of 5% I was given 10%. I did say it to my boss and it was corrected. Nothing was taken back but was corrected from the next month onwards. Then the same thing happened with the same company a couple of years later and this time I said nothing and it was left as is so I would say nothing. This is their mistake, not yours.

To update - I spoke to HR this morning as it was playing on my mind. I asked them to double check it, and it was an error on their behalf which has now been corrected.

I could have left it but I also want to progress further in this company and maintain good relationships etc

Although it's disappointing it's given me something to aim toward for next year! 🤞🏻

Well done! Your honesty will be remembered, I hope you get up to that higher number soon enough :)