No payrise but everyone else has?

[naughtynix87]

I was on maternity leave from August 09 to May 2010, the year before we didnt get a payrise as the director was worried with all the recession etc going on. We were imformed last week that we would be getting a pay rise this year. Everyone has got around a 4% increase in pay, I have got an extra 5 pound net payrise each month, about 0.07%.
I feel so cheated, I've been here 5 years and never had a problem before, I'm just wondering, is this ok or should I complain?

[factor-fiction]

If you got a £5 a month net pay rise and that represented a 0.07% increase in net pay then I calculate your net pay is well over £7000 a month. So either you are very well paid already or you meant 0.7%, which would mean you probably got around 1% increase gross which isn't bad in the current climate.
Anyway, was it an overall settlement for a group of people? Maybe you were at the top of the scale and the scale maximum didn't go up by 4%. There is no obligation to give evreyone the same % increase unless that is what was promised.
Have you asked your manager/negotiator?

[bednobs]

i'm really confused - the title says "no payrise" but then in the post you talk about your payrise!

[buildersmate]

Good answer, F30.

[naughtynix87]

My net pay was £750 its now £755, I wouldnt class £5 as a payrise really, more of an insult! I'm at the bottom of the hierachy- ie qualified but no office junior any more below me. Everyone has got quite a good pay rise- 4% across the board except for me, surely that isnt fair?

[RATTER15]

Who said business was about being fair?

Life is like that sometimes, been there and got the T shirts

£5 is better than a poke in the eye with a pointy stick, I didn't even get a pay rise last year! sob sob :-(

[factor-fiction]

I think the best thing you can do is ask your manager to explain the increases. You may find it isn't a case of 4% for everyone else. Incidentally in my last job the company started freezing pay for many and cutting it for some, with increases given only to the top performers under a performance management system. Annual pay rises are no longer automatic for some jobs.

[bednobs]

i can see where you are coming from, but get your manager to explain (as suggested by factor)
there are loads of people having to take a pay cut lately, so that's what i would call an insult!

[naughtynix87]

We didnt get a pay rise the year before either. No I know they've got 4% rises, its only a small company- 6 staff and the boss, oh well, I'll just have to go ask them. I feel really rude asking if its right though! Thanks everyone

[LoftyLottie]

Some people haven't had a pay rise in years, especially if they are working in a struggling small company. Be grateful that you got a rise at all.

[factor-fiction]

If you've only just got the rise I'm not clear how you know it's worth £5 net a month. If it's because the rise took place in August and you've just had your payslip then that may explain it. But wa sthe effective date 1st August or part way through. Also your net pay could have been affected by income tax- maybe your tax calculation has been affected by your maternity absence.
Anyway the best advice is to ask your manager.

[cassa333]

Has everyone else got 4% net?

Normaly you get a pay rise gross then net is a lot smaller.

Are you on the right tax and deduction rates as this may have a bearing on how much net you get.