When is the right time to ask for a pay rise?

[Dannydee]

Okay, so I know this is subjective and can be based on several factors.

Anyway, I am based in the UK and have worked for a US-based company since November 2022. I asked for 28-32k and they offered me right down the middle, 30k. I thought this was very reasonable to meet me in the middle so I took the job and have been on that figure since then.

Even though I have just taken out a mortgage, I live quite comfortably. That doesn't mean I don't want more money, and I do have a goal to reach six figures over the next 5-7 years; whether that's with my current company or not remains to be seen, but I will most likely venture elsewhere eventually.

I'm in marketing operations with them and I love my job. It's genuinely the best job I've ever had and I'm really happy with it. The timezone differences aren't even an issue, we just have a bit of overlap in my afternoon (their morning) for a team sync and then they just drop stuff on my desk overnight for me to pick up and prep for publication the next day.

Lately we have been putting out almost double the number of reports and releases as before. I'm not timed or anything. It's a flexible position where we can do work on our own time, but there are some deadlines. My boss, who is great, recently told me he wants to expand my role if I'm interested in doing so, which I am. I'm still waiting on that, he is putting a draft together as a proposal for the CEO and him to discuss, but I've heard no more yet and I know that's most likely because we have been playing catch-up with our output lately.

I am hoping if the proposal does come to fruition, that a pay bump accompanies it. If it doesn't, should I ask for one there and then if the new responsibilities sound like they will take a greater degree of effort and/or time? Should I wait and see how it's going first then I can better establish what percentage to ask for?

Let's say the expanded role wasn't even in the equation, how long should you wait before asking for a pay rise?

 

[fisicx]

Ask every year. Don’t ask don’t get.

 

[cjd]

If you're not getting pay increases annually at at least inflation, you're being payed less than the year before.

Do you get annual appraisals? If so that's the place to discuss money. If not it's something you should ask for. But the other half of the deal is that you show how well you've performed, preferably with numbers.

btw, never negotiate with a range. If you think you're worth £32k ask for that, don't also say you might only be worth £28.

An expansion of role should mean a pay rise, particularly if you've not had one for 2 years. Don't be shy about asking if it's not offered but also don't be pushy about it, it sounds like you have a good relationship and like the work so keep it matter of fact, but clear.

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

You want a charitable company to pay you a 3 figure sum

Stick with us and start a business dont rely on being a slave to somebody else

 

[WaveJumper]

Living comfortable on 30k with a mortgage, now thats interesting in its self. You should never underestimate your worth your as you will only get what they think your comfortable with and more importantly what they think they can get away with.

I am sorry to say personally (especially with a US company) unless you jump ship you will never see the sort of salary you may be hoping for

 

[Dannydee]

If you're not getting pay increases annually at at least inflation, you're being payed less than the year before.

Do you get annual appraisals? If so that's the place to discuss money. If not it's something you should ask for. But the other half of the deal is that you show how well you've performed, preferably with numbers.

btw, never negotiate with a range. If you think you're worth £32k ask for that, don't also say you might only be worth £28.

An expansion of role should mean a pay rise, particularly if you've not had one for 2 years. Don't be shy about asking if it's not offered but also don't be pushy about it, it sounds like you have a good relationship and like the work so keep it matter of fact, but clear.

We are probably supposed to get appraisals just like any company but we are so relaxed and laid back that nothing like that happens. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, they are all highly competent individuals and things work very well. I don't think I could go back to a regime-like 9-5 office again.

I think I'll wait and see what happens when the role expansion takes place. My boss is great and it should be an easy approach to make if an increase is not offered.

...and next time I'm interviewing for a new role, I'll be giving them one figure! Thanks

 

[Dannydee]

You want a charitable company to pay you a 3 figure sum

Stick with us and start a business dont rely on being a slave to somebody else

I was planning to work my way up to a high salary. If other people can do it I can do it.

BUT, I hear you on the second part. I have a couple of online business ideas I'm going to explore soon once I finish decorating my new home.

One way or another I gotta make that million quid.

 

[Dannydee]

Living comfortable on 30k with a mortgage, now thats interesting in its self. You should never underestimate your worth your as you will only get what they think your comfortable with and more importantly what they think they can get away with.

I am sorry to say personally (especially with a US company) unless you jump ship you will never see the sort of salary you may be hoping for

Somehow I can. I had some savings but a lot of that is spent on the new home.

And yeah I know I'll have to jump ship at some point but it won't just be for the sake of it. I enjoy what I'm doing right now but there are a few industries I'm more passionate about that I'll be pursuing a bit further down the line.

 

[BubbaWY]

I am sorry to say personally (especially with a US company) unless you jump ship you will never see the sort of salary you may be hoping for

An old boss once told me that you will never earn what you feel you are worth unless you jump jobs. (He wanted to give me a pay rise, but the MD kept delaying.)

Yes, some companies are good with annual pay rises and paying people what they are worth. They understand the cost associated with recruiting, etc. But others will happily sit back and wait for their employees to ask.

Ive jumped around jobs far more often that I would have liked but have doubled my salary in 10 years whilst effectively doing the same job.

 

[IanSuth]

American companies on average are less structured than uk with pay rises they also due to their "at will" employment laws in a lot of states are more used to staff saying "payrise or I walk", so if you don't ask there is a fair chance you won't ever get.

Personally I would say to your manager "Oh I forgot to say - when you put through the proposal to the CEO re the expanded role, what payrise is factored into that as I need to do my financial planning"

 

[Dannydee]

An old boss once told me that you will never earn what you feel you are worth unless you jump jobs. (He wanted to give me a pay rise, but the MD kept delaying.)

Yes, some companies are good with annual pay rises and paying people what they are worth. They understand the cost associated with recruiting, etc. But others will happily sit back and wait for their employees to ask.

Ive jumped around jobs far more often that I would have liked but have doubled my salary in 10 years whilst effectively doing the same job.

American companies on average are less structured than uk with pay rises they also due to their "at will" employment laws in a lot of states are more used to staff saying "payrise or I walk", so if you don't ask there is a fair chance you won't ever get.

Personally I would say to your manager "Oh I forgot to say - when you put through the proposal to the CEO re the expanded role, what payrise is factored into that as I need to do my financial planning"

It's the first US company I've worked for and whilst I've had more benefits at other local companies, this is still the best job I've been in to date. The remote-first set-up suits me perfectly because I'm an ambivert. The new home I just bought even has a built-in office in one of the rooms; which was a major USP.

Anyway... I prefer working for US companies if this experience is anything to go by. I'm also aware that I'll likely need to jump ship to reach the salary I'm aiming for. But that's fine, there are several industries I'm more passionate about and/or interested in that I wish to explore within the next couple of years.

I'll be surprised if I need to ask for the pay rise (to accompany any expansion of role) since my boss overruled company policy when my mum died last year and I was only entitled to one day of paid leave... he got me two weeks. He's a man of integrity and I don't see him expecting more from me for the same financial remuneration.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

When is the right time to ask for a pay rise?​

Yesterday

 

[J_A_M_E_S]

In order for you to be paid £60k, you need to prove how much better you will be than two people being employed on £30k each.

 

[fantheflames]

When is the right time to ask for a pay rise?​

Yesterday

Perfectly put. Every year is what I'd expect. But there isn't really any rules about when and where.

 

[Dannydee]

I didn't have to ask for one in the end. My boss gave me a 20% pay rise today.

Obviously I would have raised it at some point but the fact that it was volunteered to me along with an as-yet undefined promotion makes one feel truly valued as opposed to having to try and squeeze a raise from an employer.

In contrast, just a few years ago I was on half the salary I'm on now and was supposed to get a measly 2.5% after 6 months. Not only did they make me wait a year instead, but it was presented to me in a way that I was supposed to be over the moon at their pittance of a "reward".

I now know what it means to be respected and rewarded properly.

 

[J_A_M_E_S]

I didn't have to ask for one in the end. My boss gave me a 20% pay rise today.

Obviously I would have raised it at some point but the fact that it was volunteered to me along with an as-yet undefined promotion makes one feel truly valued as opposed to having to try and squeeze a raise from an employer.

In contrast, just a few years ago I was on half the salary I'm on now and was supposed to get a measly 2.5% after 6 months. Not only did they make me wait a year instead, but it was presented to me in a way that I was supposed to be over the moon at their pittance of a "reward".

I now know what it means to be respected and rewarded properly.

Great news!
I agree - it's lovely to feel valued (& not have to force the issue).
Well done.