Legislation on pay increase?

[Jackass]

Hi,

I've had a brief look around for some legislation on pay increases, but have had no luck in locating any.

Basicly I got a pay increase recently which I am very unhappy about, it was c.4%.

This will make little or no impact on my monthly take home pay and I was wondering if there is any sort of legislation regarding inflation indexed pay increases?

Maybe a law or recommendation that the minimum pay increase is to be in line with inflation (which ran at 5% for 2007), taking into account circumstances such as, you are in a full time employment, in permanent position and working 40+ hours a week...

I know a bonus is at a companys discretion, but surely somebody can't work in a job for 10 years achieving a 1% pay increase, if no pay increase at all...

If this was the case, as an example, what if there was a recession and high unemployment? No company would give pay rises if there is no legislation protecting the employee, because they would know that very few people would be willing to risk leaving employment...and surely there is an element of exploitation here? (extreme example I know...)

Does anybody know of anything I can use to argue my case for a more appropriate pay increase?

(after all I consider this "rise" as a pay-cut as I now earn less than before when you factor in inflation)

Thanks a million for your help

feylya

No law about pay increases afaik. It's up to the employer's discretion.

ScouseMouse

no, you are not even legally entitled to a cost of living payrise.

SarahMc

[Jackass] wrote: »

I've had a brief look around for some legislation on pay increases, but have had no luck in locating any.

Thats because there is no legislation. If you work for the public service, it is different, but even that is not legislated, but by agreement.

Iago

lots of companies will go through a period of giving no pay increases or no bonuses due to missing targets, higher cost of sales, lower profit margins etc.

In the private sector there is no legislation that says you have to recieve X pay increase every year. In fact it has been my experience (over the last 10 years or so) that most pay increases are below inflation. I would say that the average pay increase is between 2.5-5%. Unless you get a promotion or change company this is the way the world works.

As an example, I once got an exceptional performance, won an award from the company, got a full bonus and a 0.75% pay increase at the end of the year. Needless to say I moved on, but the fact remains that companies will pay as little as they possibly can and still retain their staff. If you quit your job they will probably get someone in who will do the same job for €5k less, while the cost of replacing you is much higher than that it generally doesn't get consideration.

AARRRGH

Circa 4% is normal.

Inflation has nothing to do with your employer.

um7y1h83ge06nx

Iago wrote: »

and a 0.75% pay increase at the end of the year. Needless to say I moved on

That is ridiculous!! :eek:

A bit insulting not even making the 1%, fair play for moving on.