so.....did you get a pay rise

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sneeble

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#19006 1-Feb-2008 12:59

in the annual salary negotiations the other half was offered 2% increase, the first in two years. Without saying what he does or who he works for....anyone else get the feeling he was screwed?
As a history - Senior/management specialist IT position, no previous pay rises/benefits above 4%. No goodies in the past.

I am pushing him to find another job. Apparently I am not allowed to write a letter of protest.

gehenna

8436 posts

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#107965 1-Feb-2008 13:18

On the basis that I'm putting in the hard yards, I'm noticably improving my skillset over time, I'm getting recognition by peers and management for the work that I do, I'd be pretty ripped off if this were to be the case. Each role I'm in, I assess with management exactly where they see the pay scale to be - ie what range they are prepared to offer. I then expect that as long as I'm meeting all the criteria that I wrote above, that I'd be reaching the limits of that range by my 3rd annual review. If the company isn't realistic (in my opinion) in their assessment of the pay scale, I do independent research throughout the industry and show up to my review with all the proof I can get to back up my arguements. If they still don't budge I insist on an independent review of my position by an outside company that provides such a service. If the company isn't willing to do that, or if following the review they are still not realistic about my salary expectations - I start the hunt for someone who is.

Doing things like that has never really seen me come out of a review unhappy. I have on occasion had to make compromises here and there, but that's what negotiation is all about. In the end, if i'm happy in a job or with a particular company, I'll work with management in whatever way possible to ensure I get to stay. If it means I accept more annual leave or sick leave, or some other type of benefit, and part of what I ask for in the salary raise, then on occasion it is worth it to accept it.

The other side of the coin is, if i don't feel i'm advancing in a role, or if I'm standing still in terms of experience and learning, then I bring that up with management too. They either make things happen in order for me to move forward, or I make it happen myself by finding someone willing to do that.

It's a pretty hard thing to go into a review, especially if you already know that you're going up against some hardass managers. I really think though, that if you're confident that you're ahead of where you were in the last review that you HAVE to come out of it with something substantial. Otherwise there's no incentive to stay. 2% is a bit of a rip.

G.

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mobygeek

307 posts

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#107966 1-Feb-2008 13:18

The other half does not want you to write a letter of complaint... Please respect him. He may know what he's doing. I am low paid and got a raise which is larger than his, percentage-wise, but still less than a dollar...........

Fraktul

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#107969 1-Feb-2008 13:28

2% over 2 years is way below inflation - he is going backwards. I would suggest he start speaking with a recruitment agency and assessing why he has not received a rise and what comprable positions and people with his skill set receive in the market.

If you dont spend the time to invest in and market yourself you should expect medioca results unfortunately.

gehenna

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#107970 1-Feb-2008 13:29

Fraktul:
If you dont spend the time to invest in and market yourself you should expect medioca results unfortunately.

Agreed, you've really got to prepare well for a review. Decide what you want and what you can concede, and go in there with everything you've got to backup your arguements.

BobW

90 posts

Master Geek

#107971 1-Feb-2008 13:30

An increase of 2% over two years is well below par, but individual circumstances vary so much that it is difficult to say if it is reasonable in this case. Note, though, that once you account for inflation, an increase of 1% per annum is actually a reduction in real income.

By comparison, Statistics NZ say the following:

In the year to the September 2007 quarter, overall annual increases in salary and wage rates (including overtime) for the three broad occupation groups were:• 2.9 percent for managers, professionals and technicians• 3.6 percent for clerks, service and sales workers• 3.6 percent for other occupations.Across all occupation groups, annual increases ranged from 2.2 percent (for health professionals) to 4.5 percent for personal and protective services workers.

(Source: http://www.stats.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/8DFE322A-B444-462F-A128-E41DF2D22779/0/labourcostindexsalaryandwageratessep07qtrhotp.pdf)