How to ask for a pay rise — and get it

How to ask your boss for a raise is an age-old question that continues to dominate the workplace, even as many employees around the world are joining or pushing the trend of “quiet quitting” despite corporate pressures on staff from to return to the office to continue working from home.

Coupled with the rising cost of living around the world, a pay raise is essential to help employees offset the impact of inflation on their spending power.

But asking for a raise is easier said than done – and according to Zahra Clark, Middle East and North Africa director at Tiger Recruitment, a topic many employees fear due to a lack of trust.

“Everyone has the right to fair and equal pay, but not everyone understands their worth or has the confidence to demand the compensation they are entitled to,” says Ms Clark The National.

In the US, just 37 percent of workers had requested a raise from their current employer, according to a recent survey of 160,000 workers by PayScale, a compensation software and data company.

However, if workers ask their employer for a raise, the odds of getting a raise are “pretty good,” according to the survey.

“Seventy percent of employees who asked for a raise received one … 39 percent of those who asked for a raise received the amount they asked for,” it said.

“Another 31 percent received a raise that was less than the amount requested. The remaining 30 percent didn’t get a raise.”

There are some important factors to consider before applying for a raise. Here, recruiting experts share their top tips on how to increase your chances of success—and get paid what you’re worth.

How Much Raise Should I Request?

The good news is that 49 percent of UAE companies say they plan to increase salaries for their annual salary reviews in 2022, according to a June report by services firm Aon.

The actual and budgeted amount for regular salary increases for the majority of companies in the UAE is between 2 and 6 percent, according to the survey.

In the US, the average pay rise for workers this year is forecast to be about 3.4 percent, global consultant Willis Towers Watson said in a January report.

However, employees in specialist departments in the US are being offered salary increases of up to 20 percent, recruiting experts say.

The picture is similar for workers in the UK, where salaries are expected to rise by an average of 3 per cent this year as employers try to combat mounting difficulties in hiring and retention, the UK’s Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) said ) in its Labor Market Outlook report in February.

But in the current market, employees can ask for an increase of between 10 and 20 percent, says Ms Clark. “We’ve seen job candidates earn pay rises of up to 30 percent when they receive multiple offers,” she adds.

Recruitment expert Sylvia Taudien, CEO and founder of Advantage Consultores, which recently opened an office in Dubai, is more conservative when it comes to how much a raise an employee should ask for.

“It should be at least 3 percent and up to 10 percent, but it depends on the situation,” she says.

What should employees do before requesting a raise?

Before employees ask for a raise, they should do their own research on the typical salary range for their positions and gather evidence of their on-the-job performance, recruiting experts say.

“My advice to anyone wanting to ask for a raise is to arm yourself with the facts and have a clear and realistic idea of ​​what salary you want,” says Ms. Clark.

“Research the typical salary range for your position and what other companies in your industry and location are offering employees at your level – and be thorough.

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“Your employer will expect you to have done your homework, so look at independent salary and benefit comparison reports and gather the information you need to make your case.”

It’s also important to point out to your boss why you’re committed to your role, as well as highlight your achievements and the benefits you bring to a company, Ms. Taudien says.

This can be anything from meeting key performance indicators to developing your professional role.

“An employment relationship has to be a win-win situation for both sides,” says Ms. Taudien.

“Now is the moment to state that you would like to be recognized for your dedication and results in the form of a salary increase. Don’t be afraid to use this vocabulary. This is a negotiation: I give you – you give me.”

Aside from researching the market, employees should also be prepared to explain why they deserve a raise, Ms Clark says.

Ask yourself the following questions: What additional tasks have you taken on and how have you contributed to the success of the company?

“The more evidence you can gather, the more convincing your request will be,” Ms Clark says.

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What are the dos and don’ts of asking for a raise?

There are a number of “etiquette” rules to follow when asking for a higher salary, such as: B. Avoid referring to a colleague’s raise to support your own case.

“Simply saying ‘X got a raise, so I deserve one’ won’t work – you need to provide convincing arguments e.g. B. that you have taken on additional responsibilities or, in several cases, not received a salary increase in years,” says Ms. Clark.

“I would also caution people against taking another offer to negotiate with their current employer. I see this a lot, but if salary is the reason you want to quit your job, raise the issue with your boss.”

Is there a secret to negotiating the offered raise?

There’s no secret to success when it comes to negotiating a raise, but Ms. Taudien says it helps when you’re sure of your worth.

Ms Clark agrees, saying examining salary ranges, current inflation rates and the cost of living around the world will help employees negotiate a higher raise than their employer is proposing.

People demonstrate in central London against the rising cost of living. EPA

“Also give examples of how a higher salary motivates you and adds value to the company,” says Ms. Clark.

“Ultimately, it costs a lot to replace great people, so in the current market you’re in a strong position to ask for more and get it.”

When is the best time to request a raise?

It’s important to choose the timing carefully when asking for a raise, says Ms. Clark.

The easiest time to negotiate is during your annual performance review, or even after you’ve received a job offer.

“The worst times are after a company’s poor financial results or during a particularly busy or challenging time for the company,” she says.

What if your request for a raise is denied?

It’s important to have a plan B in case your employer rejects your request for a raise, says Ms. Clark.

Sometimes companies aren’t able to increase salaries – but remember there are other benefits you could request.

“If they just can’t afford to raise your salary, think about some of the other perks you could negotiate to make you feel valued, like E.g. more days working from home or additional paid holidays,” adds Ms. Clark.

But Ms Clark also advises employees not to be too disappointed if their application is denied, as they also have the option of changing jobs to increase their pay.

“Those who haven’t gotten the raise they were hoping for are moving [jobs] for a higher salary,” says Ms. Clark.

“This and the desire for hybrid roles were the main reasons for changing jobs this year.”

5 tips to follow when asking for a raise

• Research and review salary ranges for your professional role
• Prove your most important achievements
• Be sure of your abilities and your worth
• Explain how you have contributed to the success of the company
• Timing is key – annual reviews are a good opportunity to ask for a raise

Updated September 15, 2022 7:19 am