Employees who are thinking about asking for a bump in pay have a big challenge in front of them. Many factors come into play when management attempts to decide whether to grant a worker's request for more money. The rate of inflation, the available budget the company has for pay hikes, how valuable the employee is to the company and last but not least, how much extra responsibility the worker is prepared to take on are all important considerations.
Most employees will try a variety of subtle and not so subtle tactics. They might walk around with a sulky attitude and hope the boss will catch the hint. They could discuss it with colleagues and hope the boss will overhear the conversation. Others will do nothing, say nothing and just keep dreaming. None of those methods will work. Instead, employees should do an honest assessment of their worth and carefully observe the behavior of their supervisors.
Essential First Steps When Requesting a Pay Raise
Employees who feel the need to ask for more money should ask for extra work. This is directly linked to all pay rises and this is what employers respond to more favorably. It's better than approaching the boss and unexpectedly asking for a higher salary. Another positive course of action is to request a performance related bonus, or a pay increase based on achieving more than what was expected. This will also be appreciated by managers, since the worker is offering something in return and not making the mistake of only asking for more money.
Build a good case by making a list of the most outstanding accomplishments. This will help employees to see things objectively and to stay in control. References can be invaluable before asking for a raise. An employee should try to find co-workers and/or senior team members who can vouch for him or her in written form before the boss gets a request for a pay hike. Employees shouldn't be shy about listing their accomplishments, but shouldn't go over the top, either. Let the numbers speak for themselves.
Deciding How and When to Ask for a Raise
Timing is everything. Make the pitch when the boss has time to listen. Nine a.m. on a Monday or four p.m. on a Friday are probably not the best times to sit down and talk about this kind of request. All workers should watch what's going on around the office. Asking for a raise after a budget cutback meeting would be a bad call. Similarly, if other workers have left and those desks have been empty for a while, don't expect much, if anything.
Set up a time to meet in an e-mail message. Do not state the precise reason for the meeting. An employee who says he or she wants to speak to the boss because it's about a raise will either get an outright 'no,' or a warning that the answer will be "no." Stay in control and build the negotiations slowly. If the boss doesn't give an immediate response, be patient. Never put pressure on him or her.
Making the Case for a Raise
Asking for a raise, and doing it right, requires skill and common sense. When presenting a case like this an employee should be concise and unemotional. Workers can make the mistake of presenting their cases based solely on what they want. The boss, and the company as a whole, will want to know what's in it for them.
Nobody should make it personal and say why they need more money. That's not the boss's problem. Workers should be assertive and straight forward about what they want and showing concrete evidence that can justify why they should get it. All relevant documentation should be given confidently and professionally.
What to Do if the Raise is Denied
Be prepared for a negative response. If the boss will not agree or even consider granting a request for a raise, avoid emotional outbursts. After all, this would be just another business transaction. Employees who threaten to quit might be offered a promotion by the boss, or a salary increase. This is the way most companies operate. They don't do anything unless somebody comes along and forces them to. Business decisions are all based on priorities, and salary bumps are low on that particular scale. Think about this counteroffer carefully.
There is another way to approach this. Employees can ask for non-monetary compensation like extra sick leave, vacation days or a parking space. Ask for a time when a pay raise would be more likely. Whatever the outcome, it's important to remain professional at all times.
Reference:
Reeves, Scott. "Seven No-Nos When Asking For A Raise." Forbes Magazine, May 1, 2006.
Scott Hayden - Since joining Suite101 in early 2007, I've contributed articles about travel, history and health. My speciality is writing about workplace ...
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