Should I ask for a payrise?

[milly143]

I've been thinking about asking for a payrise for the past couple of months but wanted to leave it until this month to do it as that would make it 12 months since my previous rise. I felt especially over the past few months that I have deserved one as I have been carrying out all my bosses duties in her extended absence and doing many jobs beyond my role, which I do enjoy doing. I've also enrolled myself on some courses such as a MOS Excell expert course which I believe could help me further in my role. However, over the past few weeks around 7 members of staff have been in effect, made redundant and following a meeting with my boss today she highlighted that the MD's are trying to cut costs wherever possible at the moment. I know my job is safe but I also know that I am being paid around �3000 below the average wage for my job in my area. I'm really quite stuck as to what to do now. Does anyone have any suggestions? (sorry for the long post).

[gammaray]

milly- asking for a payrise is the one sure way you'll find out if your boss has any respect for you. If they are just using your skills and don't appreciate the work you put in then you won't get the rise. The rebuttle will come along with the excuses like "were cost cutting at the moment" "Things are tight, maybe we can look at it again in six months". worse still if the excuse is followed by " some people are even being made redundant at the moment".

The truth is milly, you have a value and should be paid accordingly. If your employer doesn't recognise your worth, and you feel you are underpaid, you have the right to seek better paid employment.

[Dollie]

You need to get dust off your original job description and then type up a report of every task that you have done recently that is 'over and above' what is on your job description. When you can prove to a boss that you are working outside of your remit, then you stand a good chance of them listening to your request. Also, cut out some job adverts from the Guardian and other national papers, which show higher salaries for your type of job. Its not your fault that your firm is trying to cut costs - they are utilising your additional skills and after all - you go out to work to earn a living - not for the goodness of your health ! Good luck

[jennifer_cro]

Dollie is right. Simply asking for a payrise because you feel you deserve it sometimes isn't enough. You need to make a good case with as much information to back you up and present this to your boss.

If nothing comes of this you may well end up having to look elsewhere.