ASKING FOR A PAYRISE

dee1973

Hi
We just recently in work sent a letter for a pay rise to our direct bosses who in turn sent it our director.
We have not recieved any feedback on it but were instead advised to wait, and they would get back to us.
We are in a profession where we are very underpaid and have pointed this out. We work for a profitable company so there is no reason for us not to get the payrise. We were on the NWA but that has been reduced from 5%pa to 1.25% for the last two years.
Would anyone have any advice on what we should do next. We do have the union in our company but as of yet we don't feel that we need their interjection as we have not been refused but we don't know how long we should wait before we are replied to. We sent the letter 18/05

doolox

Off the top of my head I'd say a 4-5 week delay is reasonable if it is a big company with a lot of layers and bureaucracy.

I would expect a small company to get back to you quicker.

It might help to get supporting data from other companies for the services of similarly experienced, qualified and employed workers so you can support you claim with hard facts, this is something Unions, with membership in a large number of companies, can do better than individuals.

It might also help to submit a reminder after 6 weeks and see how things pan out.

Unfortunately with the way the recession is going the advantage is with the employers at the moment.

dee1973

Hi,
Thanks for your input on this, I did research what the industry standard is for our job before I submitted the letter. and result was that we are at least 3.5k below average.
I agree in part to the recession "excuse" but I am not really prepared to accept it as a reason to still be paid so low, not if we are fully aware of the profits by way of reports sent on 1/4 basis. I concur though due to the fact that we work for such a large company that due to red tape and the like the delay is reasonable enough, just that as I was the "sender" people are getting restless for an answer.
I am would you belive the shop stewart for our department but do not want to approach the matter in that capitacity. Prefering instead to do it our way and then see what happens.

Trashbat

Have you followed up with your boss asking for an expected time for response?

If they don't answer you, or if the answer is unsatisfactory, then you can look at other options.

To be honest though, €3.5k is not grossly underpaid in many sectors, and the ball is firmly within the employers court in recession times, regardless of wether they are profitable. I've seen other companies introduce cuts because they can, not because they need to.

irishguy

dee1973 wrote: »

Hi
We just recently in work sent a letter for a pay rise to our direct bosses who in turn sent it our director.
We have not recieved any feedback on it but were instead advised to wait, and they would get back to us.
We are in a profession where we are very underpaid and have pointed this out. We work for a profitable company so there is no reason for us not to get the payrise. We were on the NWA but that has been reduced from 5%pa to 1.25% for the last two years.
Would anyone have any advice on what we should do next. We do have the union in our company but as of yet we don't feel that we need their interjection as we have not been refused but we don't know how long we should wait before we are replied to. We sent the letter 18/05

Would you not look for a new job then? You could use it to get a higher salary or just move job altogether. I dont see the point in staying in a company where you have to fight for a pay increase if you can get a job elsewhere.