The average weekly earnings for full time workers in the UK is around £728. If you feel that you are exceeding the requirements of your role, you may decide to ask for a pay rise. You should consider asking for a pay rise if you are going above and beyond in your role, you are being paid less than others doing the same role, or you are being paid below the market rate. It takes courage to ask for a pay rise, as it can be a daunting experience. It is important that, if you do ask for a pay rise, you communicate it in writing, in addition to any verbal discussion. In the unfortunate scenario that your pay rise is refused, these are some steps you can take.
Request Feedback in Writing
If your pay rise is rejected, you can request feedback on why they feel you are not eligible. In doing this, you can understand the reasons for the pay rise rejection and any steps you can take to achieve this in the future. For instance, if the rejection is due to performance issues, some feedback will help you make improvements. Ask your manager to help you set some performance goals.
Negotiate Other Benefits
Your pay rise may be rejected for financial reasons. Your manager might decline your pay rise if they don’t have the budget or if there are concerns that everyone will request a pay rise. In this case, you might be able to negotiate other benefits, such as extra holidays, flexible working or end-of-year bonuses. If you are happy to compromise, it might be worth determining if this is an option.
Appeal Decision
You can appeal the decision if you believe it is unfair. For instance, if other colleagues are getting paid more than you and the reason for the rejection is financial. You may wish to organise a second meeting with your manager to discuss your concerns and find out if there’s anything you can do to change the situation.
Consider Moving On
If you are unhappy with the decision and there is no room for movement, it might be time to consider other options. Moving on from your job can be challenging, but if you are not rewarded for your efforts, you’ll probably find that another company will.
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