Promotion/annual raise issue?

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Have had a pretty challenging time at work of late. Was promised a promotion A YEAR ago, but due to a whole host of issues (internal promotion/hiring freezes, timing of interview dates, recruitment of other team members) this has dragged on and on.

I have actually been doing the 'promotion' job in all but title and salary which has been annoying, but it's finally looking set to happen next month, hurrah. My salary will be going up by about 15 percent of what I'm currently on - which I think is okay, but not amazing, particularly given how long this has dragged on.

Each year, the company gives annual pay rises of 3 percent. But I've just been told that 'usually', they don't give these to anyone who has been promoted within the past year. Is this normal? And should I argue that given the delay (which everyone senior to me acknowledges and is very apologetic about), I should at least get that percentage increase on my old salary added to this one?

Not meaning to sound grabby, but I am annoyed.

Yes they can do it OP

I’d argue for the promotion pay rise to be backdated rather than for the 3%

Thanks both.

@Onionlove81 - I know they can do it, but I suppose I am asking if it's 'standard' to do this, and if I can argue that I should see the annual increase at least based on my last role added to my newer salary? The argument seems to be 'we don't give the percentage increase on promoted roles because you haven't officially been in the role for a year' - but this way it minimises the existing increase, so my salary is actually going up 12 percent in 'real' terms for most of next year, not 15.

@KnickerlessParsons - I have a feeling they won't go for that as it's difficult to quantify. No-one else is currently doing the job I am being promoted into doing and I am already basically doing it! But on paper, some KPIs will change.

Yes that’s normal. I had the same happen to me.

It’s because the new salary is higher than the old salary + raise. So your new salary is the negotiated higher rate… why would they add a raise to a raise?

@TheGreatWesternShrew - I get the logic, but it feels pretty unfair because I was told this promotion was 'imminent' over a year ago! Then it got delayed and delayed. So essentially I've been doing the more senior job for this time period, on a lower salary. Now it's finally about to happen, I'll have three months on the new salary.... and no increase at all for another 15 months.

And everyone senior to me is transparent that this (ie promotion delayed but I am actually doing the role in all but title and pay) is the case. So I feel a bit messed around overall...

They’ve kept you hanging for a year for a promotion
and you still haven’t actually got it OP

I wouldn’t be arguing the toss about the 3% annual pay rise, I’d be job hunting. They don’t seem all the bothered about you

but it's finally looking set to happen next month, hurrah.

so you have received and signed a new contract and everything has been ticked, agreed and signed off?

You don't say what sector but it sounds pretty standard to me tbh...not that it makes it any less annoying...

Where I work (large international corporate) getting a promotion years after due is common, no annual pay rise a year that you've got an uplift for another reason is standard.

To be honest a regular 3% every year and 15% for a promotion sounds amazing in the climate of the last few years! 0% standard rise and 0-5% promotions has been the case for us last 2-3 years.

Again, don't know what sector this is but the grass isn't always greener...everyone at our place is fed up about it but turnover is still low because external market is bad and I have two friends / colleagues who got made redundant last November and still haven't found a job.

A lot of the measures the Labour government have brought in are bad for business and bad for the economy so unless you're a public sector worker that can go out on strike unless you get a bumper pay rise and be gifted a massive pension paid for by the tax payer...it's not likely to improve for the next few years.

same experience as @OnlyOneAdda - in my company what you describe would be considered fairly generous, especially the standard 3% rise. It is really difficult for businesses at the moment.

in any economy, fwiw, the more significant pay rises have always come when I moved company - more like 20-30% uplift as standard. In the current environment (my industry anyways) I would be cautious about changing from a company where I am secure / well regarded for any amount of money, though.

It’s standard everywhere I’ve worked too.

One thing you might look at though is who the others at the same grade as you are. There might not be people doing the same role (eg head of teapot making) but there are likely to be people at equivalent levels of seniority in other roles (eg head of cakestand sales). If the others at the same grade are predominantly male, you might be able to fashion an argument which says you will be at a permanent 3% disadvantage to them and therefore the company is falling foul of gender equality and creating a gender pay gap issue for itself.

But don’t lose the 15% promotion over an additional 3%. Keep your negotiations professional and civil