Should I ask for a pay rise?

Kevwoody · 17-02-2012 11:24am #1

Ok here's the story, I work for a small company of about 10 employees. We recently took on a new contract from our main client, and I was chosen to take it on. It is totally different to what I was doing before, and I'm now away from my wife and 2 kids ( aged 6 and 2 ) for 10 days at a time, with 4 days off.

When I started this work my boss gave me an extra €25 a week, but I just don't think it's enough for the extra responsibility and work I'm doing.

So my question is should I look for more( currently on 25k ) or should I be glad to have a job?

chin_grin · 17-02-2012 11:27am

Yes.

Pacifist Pigeon · 17-02-2012 11:27am

Asking for a pay rise nowadays is like asking for a P45.

Spacedog · 17-02-2012 11:28am

Yes, ask, write a letter listing all the extra stuff you do and the sacrifices you have made since starting there. then respectfully ask of the additional amount/benefits, title etc.

mikemac1 · 17-02-2012 11:28am

Kevwoody wrote: »

should I be glad to have a job?

This again, when did this take over Ireland?

You are not lucky to have a job, the company is lucky to have you

You applied, you were the best applicant and if someone else wanted that job they should have applied too, but they didn't.

A real serf mentality going around Ireland these days

Your ten/four routine is unusual.
And 25k isn't great money at all

It's a new year and a new budget, go ask for the pay rise
Do what Spacedog says and make a list, take your time and write up a letter

smash · 17-02-2012 11:29am

I it a position in which your career will grow dramatically or is it just a job?

If it's just a job you'd get more working admin for a company and have no stress!

Seachmall · 17-02-2012 11:29am

Start putting in a ****load of hours. I know you probably are but put in more.

Act really stressed about it too, you probably are stressed, but make sure he sees your stress (be subtle about it though).

After 2 or 3 weeks begin dropping hints, casually mentioning car loans, etc.

And for God's sake GET OFF BOARDS, it's 10:30 in the morning for fuck sake.!

If that fails get a job in the public sector and get your union to stir shit.

Spacedog · 17-02-2012 11:29am

Pacifist Pigeon wrote: »

Asking for a pay rise nowadays is like asking for a P45.

Only if you're a lazy bum who doesn't deserve it, this lads taking on extra work and responsibility.

SEPT 23 1989 · 17-02-2012 11:31am

I would tick the "glad to have a job" box

17-02-2012 11:32am

smash wrote: »

..........
If it's just a job you'd get more working admin for a company and have no stress!

Loads of admins jobs paying €500/week out there too, they can't get people to fill these roles at all...

smash · 17-02-2012 11:33am

RoverJames wrote: »

Loads of admins jobs paying €500/week out there too, they can't get people to fill these roles at all...

That's what I'm saying. There's literally hundreds of them!

44leto · 17-02-2012 11:33am

There is no harm in asking, so I would say yes.

If they haven't already offered they are not going to. So prepare your request and go for it.

Good luck.

Sky King · 17-02-2012 11:33am

Whatever you do, don't give you employer an ultimatium, e.g. "A pay rise or I walk" because if he has any sense at all he'll call you on it and you'll be left jobless. Everyone is replaceable. No exceptions.

See if you can talk to him and if he declines your offer, pick your nose and put it in his lunch when he's not looking at every opportunity for the next few years.

Kevwoody · 17-02-2012 11:35am

Seachmall wrote: »

Start putting in a ****load of hours. I know you probably are but put in more.

Act really stressed about it too, you probably are stressed, but make sure he sees you're stress (be subtle about it though).

After 2 or 3 weeks begin dropping hints, casually mentioning car loans, etc.

And for God's sake GET OFF BOARDS, it's 10:30 in the morning for f[SIZE="2"]uc[/SIZE]k sake.!

If that fails get a job in the public sector and get your union to stir s[SIZE="2"]hi[/SIZE]t.

I already work about 60 hours per 5 days, the 10/4 routine was my choice, because I travel over 5 hrs to get to location, it was 11pm when I got home on a Friday night, then leave at 3am Sunday morning

Seachmall · 17-02-2012 11:37am

Kevwoody wrote: »

I already work about 60 hours per 5 days

What, too good to work Saturdays? Sunday is your God given day of rest?

Time to get your ass in motion, kid!

If you haven't already bring an inflatable mattress and PJs into work, show your boss you're serious.

Honestly though, if you're working yourself to the bone and can't push anymore then you're in a tough situation.

There are 2 (far over generalised) types of bosses, those who expect the most for the least and those who reward continuous effort.

If your boss is the former you've shown him you'll push yourself over the edge for your current pay and he'll see no reason to up your pay. If you begin slacking he'll just fire you because you've set the bar high for yourself.

Hopefully he's the latter and if you keep working hard your pay-rise is innevitable.

Kevwoody · 17-02-2012 11:39am

Seachmall wrote: »

Kevwoody wrote: »

I already work about 60 hours per 5 days

What, too good to work Saturdays? Sunday is your God given day of rest?

Time to get your ass in motion, kid!

If you haven't already bring an inflatable mattress and PJs into work, show your boss you're serious.

I work 10 days in a row, Monday through to following wednesday

Seachmall · 17-02-2012 11:42am

Kevwoody wrote: »

I work 10 days in a row, Monday through to following wednesday

And what happens on the 11th day? Too good for 11 day weeks?

I'm only strumming your bollocks. Ask for the raise. Don't ask you may not get.

mikemac1 · 17-02-2012 11:43am

Your boss is clearly a fan of the IBEC press releases

Never waste a good recession

token101 · 17-02-2012 11:46am

RoverJames wrote: »

Loads of admins jobs paying €500/week out there too, they can't get people to fill these roles at all...

Doubt it's that much now tbh! Links?

Stiffler2 · 17-02-2012 11:50am

DON'T ask for a Payrise, DEMAND IT.

If they refuse just sell products out the back of the stores, that' what I do !

thebigbiffo · 17-02-2012 11:55am

respectfully outline your situation, how hard you work, appreciate the job etc. tell him you feel the work you're doing is worth a bit more but, and this is important, ask him what HE feels YOU need to do to be worth that extra money. put the ball in his court.

17-02-2012 11:56am

token101 wrote: »

Doubt it's that much now tbh! Links?

I know there's not, 'twas Smash suggested to go the admin route for €500/week

Sergeant · 17-02-2012 11:58am

Spacedog wrote: »

Yes, ask, write a letter listing all the extra stuff you do and the sacrifices you have made since starting there. then respectfully ask of the additional amount/benefits, title etc.

This, only go and speak to the chap. Most employers are decent people, and will at least be open to having a chat about the matter.

dibkins · 17-02-2012 12:00pm

thebigbiffo wrote: »

respectfully outline your situation, how hard you work, appreciate the job etc. tell him you feel the work you're doing is worth a bit more but, and this is important, ask him what HE feels YOU need to do to be worth that extra money. put the ball in his court.

I agree with this too. If you have good reasons, articulate them properly and approach the issue respectfully then the worst that can happen is you get a good counter argument.
Then you start using your holidays to go to interviews, but thats a whole other story.

CardBordWindow · 17-02-2012 12:01pm

Ask your boss if you can use him as a reference on your CV.
If he asks why, just tell him you're keeping your options open.
If he/she appreciates the work you do, they might make you an offer to make you stay.

booboo88 · 17-02-2012 12:03pm

RoverJames wrote: »

Loads of admins jobs paying €500/week out there too, they can't get people to fill these roles at all...

where the bloody hell are they?

Dodge · 17-02-2012 12:08pm

If your boss is likely to be offended, or worse discipline you, if you ask for a rise, then he/she probably ins't the person you want to spending you career working for.

As ever, be polite, explain your thinking. It might be a case that the boss agrees but can't afford it.

But acting like an adult will probably help you in the long run

Wompa1 · 17-02-2012 12:13pm

Kevwoody wrote: »

I already work about 60 hours per 5 days, the 10/4 routine was my choice, because I travel over 5 hrs to get to location, it was 11pm when I got home on a Friday night, then leave at 3am Sunday morning

I was in a similar situation work wise. Got a lot more responsibility, company winning new work and no word of a raise. Was also pressured into not requesting overtime for the extra hours I worked. At one stage a few years ago I had estimated in the space of a few months I'd worked around 110 hours without asking for pay just because I wanted to do a good job.

Anyways, hard work paid off because I was head hunted by another company...funny enough my current employers came in with a big offer to keep me and I stayed. I've now been here for 5 years but am leaving next week for a new job.

I was also being away from home for weeks on end and did not enjoy living out of a bag and subsequently working even more when I got back to the hotel. Any chance you could look for a new job? even just to put the fear into your current employers?

TURRICAN · 17-02-2012 12:14pm

I kno somebody who asked for a rise and were told the next week they had no work for them

17-02-2012 12:15pm

booboo88 wrote: »

where the bloody hell are they?

I was being sarcastic in response to the quote I posted

I am pie · 17-02-2012 12:16pm

What line of business are you in ?

Do you have any concept of pay for performance, or any objectives set by your boss which you can clearly demonstrate you have exceeded ? Is there a job grade above the one you currently work in which you believe you are fulfilling right now?

Are you currently earning more or less than your peers ?

Hope this helps structure your approach to getting a raise.

POKERKING · 17-02-2012 12:24pm

Hold on this guy is working 60 hours per week for €480 a week(25k/52) thats 8e an hour, sure that's less than the minimum of €8.65, time to get a new job i say....

Stark · 17-02-2012 12:31pm

Seachmall wrote: »

Act really stressed about it too, you probably are stressed, but make sure he sees your stress (be subtle about it though).

After 2 or 3 weeks begin dropping hints, casually mentioning car loans, etc.

To be honest, playing this game only makes you look incompetent and unable to manage your time/finances(in my opinion).

not yet · 17-02-2012 12:33pm

Seachmall wrote: »

Start putting in a ****load of hours. I know you probably are but put in more.

Act really stressed about it too, you probably are stressed, but make sure he sees your stress (be subtle about it though).

After 2 or 3 weeks begin dropping hints, casually mentioning car loans, etc.

And for God's sake GET OFF BOARDS, it's 10:30 in the morning for fuck sake.!

If that fails get a job in the public sector and get your union to stir shit.

Ain't you just the funniest fcuk god ever put on the planet.

Seachmall · 17-02-2012 12:34pm

Stark wrote: »

To be honest, playing this game only makes you look incompetent and unable to manage your time/finances(in my opinion).

I mean subtly, like water cooler talk. "Jaysus, the fecking bank are onto us about the car payments. 2 days late and they're down your throat. Have they nothing better to be doing with their time?" over the tea break.

I don't mean show up covered in sweat, with a ripped shirt, loose tie, a missing shoe and then collapsing on the table while crying about your car :pac:

not_yet wrote:

Ain't you just the funniest fcuk god ever put on the planet.

I'm an atheist actually but I appreciate your sentiment.

Thank you.

hooradiation · 17-02-2012 12:35pm

Kevwoody wrote: »

Ok here's the story, I work for a small company of about 10 employees. We recently took on a new contract from our main client, and I was chosen to take it on. It is totally different to what I was doing before, and I'm now away from my wife and 2 kids ( aged 6 and 2 ) for 10 days at a time, with 4 days off.

When I started this work my boss gave me an extra €25 a week, but I just don't think it's enough for the extra responsibility and work I'm doing.

So my question is should I look for more( currently on 25k ) or should I be glad to have a job?

Dear god yes, jesus christ.
You owe them nothing and your goal should be to get paid as much as humanly possible, because their goal is to get you to work for as little as possible.

Anyone who believes they ought to be "glad to have a job" deserves to be exploited.

biko · 17-02-2012 12:39pm

From After Hours

Stark · 17-02-2012 12:39pm

Seachmall wrote: »

I mean subtly, like water cooler talk. "Jaysus, the fecking bank are onto us about the car payments. 2 days late and they're down your throat. Have they nothing better to be doing with their time?" over the tea break.

I don't mean show up covered in sweat, with a ripped shirt, loose tie, a missing shoe and then collapsing on the table while crying about your car :pac:

I don't think there should be any games at all. All the OP should do is walk up to the boss, explain to them why they're worth more: years experience, time and expense to train someone new, what they do well, what they would be offered for the same work on the market etc. If the boss doesn't respond to that, look elsewhere. He might not find somewhere that pays more but he might find somewhere with less hours and stress. Telling your boss you're falling behind on your car payments is only going to worry him/her about your ability to grow in the job and competently assume responsibility.

shootermacg · 17-02-2012 1:07pm

25K, is that pretty much minimum wage? You, my friend are being taken for a ride. But then, there's nothing to stop the boss riding you if you keep bending over for him.
I'd start by letting him know I wanted over-time (time and a half) for every hour he expects you to work over 39.
I would consider 25K a poor base rate and some one paying that should expect to pay more for anything over 39hours.
I personally wouldn't even bother working for that kind of wage let alone put in the hours you put in.

Kevwoody · 17-02-2012 4:50pm

Hi thanks to all who replied, it basically what the missus has been telling me for weeks.
She's going mental that I'm working 20hrs overtime and travelling 10hrs per week for no extra pay. That and the fact she works full time and is 4months pregnant!
My boss is the kind of person who will argue over every hour that I can't account for, he thought he was doing great giving me 25 e a week extra, but sure after mr taxman is finished its only an extra tenner!
I'm gonna have a think about it, I am the only one trained on this new contract and I don't wanna back him into a corner, cause I know who will win that one!

okiss · 21-02-2012 12:18am

Hi Kev,
From your last post -I am the only one trained on this new contract.
You are in a good position at the moment in that you are the only one trained on this new contract. Your wife is right and you need to ask for a pay rise.
At the moment your wife is pregnant, working full time and your not at home much due to your hours. Your wife knows how much money she and you are paying out for food, bills, children's shoes ect. Meanwhile you working long hours for very poor money.
You should be getting time and half for every hour over 39 hours a week that you work and be getting a higher salary than €25k.
You need to have a talk with your boss about this. If you don't get a pay rise, don't say anything to your boss but start to look for a new job.

Tigger · 21-02-2012 1:02am

Some points from an employer

Minimum wage is about 18k so 25k is nearly 1.5 times as much
I advertised for a position recently at minimum and gOt hundreds of cvs from very overqualified people

If you think you can get more somewhere else then get that job and then ask for a raise or yer walking. Bluffing gets people nowhere tbh.

And for gods sake claim every hour you work That's a no brainer

booboo88 · 21-02-2012 1:59am

RoverJames wrote: »

I was being sarcastic in response to the quote I posted

my bad, missed it completely

shootermacg wrote: »

25K, is that pretty much minimum wage? You, my friend are being taken for a ride. But then, there's nothing to stop the boss riding you if you keep bending over for him.
I'd start by letting him know I wanted over-time (time and a half) for every hour he expects you to work over 39.
I would consider 25K a poor base rate and some one paying that should expect to pay more for anything over 39hours.
I personally wouldn't even bother working for that kind of wage let alone put in the hours you put in.

are you mad/? id be happy to get 25k

Cian92 · 21-02-2012 10:33am

booboo88 wrote: »

are you mad/? id be happy to get 25k

I hate this sort of crap. Maybe the poster is more qualified than you. Get over it. It's nice to know you'd be happy to get 25k, but it really doesn't add to the discussion at all. That poster obviously wouldn't take 25k, maybe he can easily earn more than that, has a family to support etc. It's not that he is mad.

Sorry to be singling out you, but this sort of a line is being said more and more often. It really infuriates me.

booboo88 · 21-02-2012 10:40am

Cian92 wrote: »

I hate this sort of crap. Maybe the poster is more qualified than you. Get over it. It's nice to know you'd be happy to get 25k, but it really doesn't add to the discussion at all. That poster obviously wouldn't take 25k, maybe he can easily earn more than that, has a family to support etc. It's not that he is mad.

Sorry to be singling out you, but this sort of a line is being said more and more often. It really infuriates me.

My apologies, clearly he is more qualified than me, but out of curiosity how do you know this for sure?
Am I the only one that hasn't woken up from the nightmare that is recession.
Silly me.

shootermacg · 21-02-2012 10:58am

Cian92 wrote: »

I hate this sort of crap. Maybe the poster is more qualified than you. Get over it. It's nice to know you'd be happy to get 25k, but it really doesn't add to the discussion at all. That poster obviously wouldn't take 25k, maybe he can easily earn more than that, has a family to support etc. It's not that he is mad.

Sorry to be singling out you, but this sort of a line is being said more and more often. It really infuriates me.

+1

25K in dublin, with a negative equity morgage and 2 kids wouldn't see you through 6 months, now 25K in cork would be a different matter, I'd say there are cleaners in dublin on more than 25K.
I earn a lot more than 25K AND my wife also needs to work, which is a fact I'm not proud of, although I'm very proud of her.

Kevwoody · 11-04-2013 12:36pm

Kevwoody wrote: »

Ok here's the story, I work for a small company of about 10 employees. We recently took on a new contract from our main client, and I was chosen to take it on. It is totally different to what I was doing before, and I'm now away from my wife and 2 kids ( aged 6 and 2 ) for 10 days at a time, with 4 days off.

When I started this work my boss gave me an extra €25 a week, but I just don't think it's enough for the extra responsibility and work I'm doing.

So my question is should I look for more( currently on 25k ) or should I be glad to have a job?

Sorry to bump an old thread here but just thought I'd give an update.

Never got a pay rise despite asking for it twice, so just put my head down and gave the job all I could.
My employer never once gave me any credit for doing a good job despite the main client telling him they were very happy with my work.

So this week I got called into the main clients headquarters, and they offered me a permanent position. €38,000 per year, company car, phone, laptop, and all hotel lunch and dinner covered!

So for anyone out there who is slaving away getting nowhere, don't give up hope, I didn't

aaakev · 11-04-2013 12:43pm

Happy days fair play

Should I ask for a pay rise?

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