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Everyone is paid more than me, how can I ask for a raise?

20 Answers
Last Updated: 07/27/2020 at 4:11am
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Top Rated Answers
Harri
October 27th, 2014 3:12pm
Explain the situation to your boss and present clear, logical points for your raise. If you meet them on professional terms they are more likely to understand your situation
Anonymous
January 8th, 2015 11:27am
Know your worth. Market and sell yourself by listing your skills, experience and accomplishments when you talk to your boss. Don't ask for a raise just because others are getting paid more. Nowhere is life more unfair than in the workplace. But you can seize the moment by valuing yourself, and highlighting your value to your employers. Go get 'em tiger! You ARE worth it.
Dracko
January 2nd, 2015 12:44pm
Asking for a raise, especially out of annual salary increase cycles, is always a daunting task. That being said, if it creates uncertainty and stress in your everyday work life, it is something you need to do sooner, rather than later. There are a few questions you need to ask yourself before also approaching this subject with a Manager or HR Department, and you need to be prepared to argue these questions, as a Manager will argue a raise in salary on exactly these points and business principles. 1. Why am I being paid less? (Why you feel this way) This might be because of qualifications or seniority or even experience. Experience is key. The biggest question here that needs answering is the Why? 2. Is what I am asking or expecting market related? (What you could do before tackling the How) There are many resources out there to assist you with this answer, like online salary surveys. A company will rarely pay you more than market related, but this is a good thing. As paying you more than market related will make you to expensive in the market, and therefore more difficult to employ later on in life. (It's called, pricing someone out of the market) 3. Talking to the right person, the right way (How you can attempt to resolve this) As a Manager in a large multinational, this is how I would prefer one of my reports address this matter with me. a) Schedule a time that suits both parties to sit and talk, uninterrupted for at least 30 minutes, behind closed doors. Salary increase discussions does not happen around the water cooler. b) Mark the appointment as a General Discussion. Do not make it urgent. This needs to be seen as a general catch-up. But pay attention that the meeting times are adhered to and attended on set time and date. Most importantly, at the end of this meeting there must be a resolve. Either a Yes, or a No. c) Salary increase motivations is stressful both ways, it is just as stressful to say no, as it is asking for an increase. Consider this while in the meeting. Most Managers will always help if within their power to do so, and granted the request is warranted. d) Salaries are confidential in most cases. Treat this as such. Do not make a big issue of the meeting, or discuss it with anyone you work with as this might make the manager feel like he/she is being backed into a corner from the start, and they will therefore go into the meeting on the defense. e) Be ready to motivate your case. Co-workers salaries are confidential in 100% of the cases, you can not use their pay grades as an argument. It immediately indicates you gained access to privileged information. When making an argument you need to motivate based on market-related for your position, plus maybe a little extra for proven experience. Rule of thumb here is go in with Black and White data. If it's not on paper, is not part of the discussion. f) Remain calm. Ask the question. Motivate your request. Discuss the matter. Listen to the answer. Although you need to argue your case. This is not an argument, and neither is it the place for one. Never, never, never get mad in salary discussions. You will terminate all hope of future discussions right there is you do get mad. The most successful salary negotiations is one where emotions was removed from the equation. g) Accept that the answer might be "No". Prepare yourself for this mentally before the meeting. It is not always within our control as managers to say Yes. As that has a very realistic budget implication. Listen to the reasons, if "No' and work on them if within your power to do so. Schedule a follow up meeting later on, once you addressed the matters raised by your Manager and re-address the subject then. To summarize. When you want to ask for a raise here are some points to remember. 1. Set a Date. 2. Do your market related research and prepare your case. 3. Respect the person on the other side for the position he/she is being placed in. 4. Remain calm and collected. Keep emotions at bay. 5. Ask, Motivate. Listen. Accept. 6. If required, schedule a follow up with a realistic time line connected to it.
LouisaCT
November 5th, 2014 6:12pm
First maybe think of if there's any reasons they may currently be paid more than you? Have they had promotions lately, which also adds responsibility? Have they been working extra hours lately? Have they been there longer than you have? ... There may be reasons for the difference in pay, and if you go and just ask for a raise and part of the reasons is because others are paid more than you, your boss will likely not be inclined to give you one. Personally, I would suggest answering those questions for yourself, and if you find there is no reason they might be payed more, put in a week or two of good work.. try your hardest at everything and try to be extra particular about what you do.. then go talk to your boss, it will put you in better standing to be asking for a raise. When you do ask for a raise, don't make it too firm of a question, but make it clear that you feel you deserve it. For example: Don't say "I feel you should really give me a raise because I've been doing a lot around here lately" that comes off as abrasive and pompous. Don't say: "So I've been working a lot lately, and it would be really nice to get a raise..." because it comes across as very passive and gives the impression of you being okay without a raise if they decide not to give you one. Don't hint, be direct. Find a middle ground between the two above examples.. You /could/ say: "I am here to talk about my current salary, and potentially being given a raise.. I feel I've worked very hard here while I've been here and haven't had any pay increase in a while/ever, could we discuss this?" This is a good option because it tells him/her 1. What you want to discuss clearly (they wage).. 2. gives them a reason you believe the proposal is important.. and 3. gives them an active option to engage in a conversation, instead of being told or having total control. I hope it works out well for you!
JustCallMeMike
November 1st, 2014 3:09pm
Well to start with you need to take time and write down the reasons why you should get a raise and the reasons why you think you should not get a raise. Answer for yourself, do you want a raise because you just want more money? Do you need the money to pay bills? Or is the work you are doing worthy of a raise. Then compare pay rates of jobs like yours around your area and use this for a reference to what percent increase would you like. Asking for just a set money increase sounds bigger than a percent.
Jedda
- Expert in Work Stress
October 30th, 2014 1:30am
You could make an appointment to talk to your manager or boss and discuss it with them rationally, try to find out exactly why you are not being paid the same amount as your co-workers.
Jorge
September 23rd, 2014 6:56pm
First of all you should be sure about this; check the hour wage and if there's any fee that you are supposed to be paying and, most of all, have proof that you are getting payed less than your coworkers. You should note and know that it's your employer's obligation to pay you, and there should be a contract that states your wages, according to: hour-wage, working hours and frequency of payment. If you have all that you should go to your employer and state what's happening and, *ask* him, what can be done. If you involve him in the problem and state that he has the control over it, he is more likely to help you, without him thinking you are demanding something. If there's no help from him you should take it to the next level; remember, it's your right, you are working for it.
Uniqueg
October 30th, 2014 8:53pm
sometimes you have to just ask, because they won't know how your feeling unless you speak up, and you can ask what you can do to get a promotion.
Anonymous
April 19th, 2016 5:46am
Sit down with your boss and ask him for a raise. Whatever is keeping you from getting a raise will only be explained to you if you ask him. The worst case scenario is that you wont get a raise but at least you will know the reason why. And the best case scenario is that you will be given a raise because yoh asked
Anonymous
July 23rd, 2018 11:57pm
Be very polite and respectful towards your boss. Tell them the reason as to why you deserve a raise. If they still don't give it to you at that moment, respect their opinion and ask why.
Anonymous
November 6th, 2014 12:12am
I feel like it's best to back up and giving reasons before asking. Show them that you deserve it!
royaladvice177
November 13th, 2014 7:04pm
You just face your boss and tell him/her about all the awesome stuff you've done and about your evolution then ask politely for a realistuc raise
flight
December 28th, 2014 9:33pm
Asking for a raise can be nerve wracking, but as long as you feel you really deserve one, asking can be easy. I suggest finding an appropriate time, such as during a lunch break or at the very end of your shift to talk to your boss, so as not to impede on your performance during work. I also suggest not only asking for a raise, but asking what you can do to achieve a raise if your boss is unsure about giving you one. Try and work very hard in order to maybe provide your boss with a better reason to raise your salary.
dkotabarrios
April 4th, 2015 6:52pm
Approach your boss in a professional manner and make your case. Tell him/her that you have been working there for a long time, you work hard, and you were wondering if there was a pay raise in your near future.
HopefulJet61
November 9th, 2015 2:41am
Typically you aren't supposed to discuss wages amongst your coworkers so bringing up the fact that others are getting paid way more isn't a great idea. So just talk to your manager about how raises work in the company and see what they say.
Blaine62
January 26th, 2016 9:18pm
There are many self help books that are related to this issue. I wouldn't want to pretend that I have any experience or expertise in this area. You may want to chat with someone else who does
Greatlistener87
- Expert in Work Stress
April 12th, 2016 5:49am
Have a talk with your boss, Be honest on what u want and why you want it. Fight your case strong on why u deserve it and never allow your boss to talk you down.
energizingBubbles25
August 1st, 2016 3:40am
Meet with your boss and Ask for a raise and be prepared to discuss your contributions to the business you work for.
JJill1
January 23rd, 2018 11:38pm
This same situation has happened to a very dear friend of mine, not being payed equally to his co-workers when doing the same job. You have options for going about doing this, first, you can talk to your boss. They are the one who controls the wages most likely, If you feel comfortable talk to them :) Worst case is they say no! You can always try to find a new job - which my friend did, and is much happier - as he feels they respect him more :)
Lovingpalm6021
July 27th, 2020 4:11am
That is a difficult proposition especially during this uncertain time. What I would do is determine a moment which makes me feel confident to lay out my cards on the table and re establish what I am able to contribute to the work environment and whether the benefits justify my asking for the raise. It is especially difficult to determine when because it varies depending on how the work environment feels. I would look for an opportunity where I am able to demonstrate my abilities, maybe a period where there is short staff, or a period when I am called upon to do more than I am able to, and successfully finishing it will give me enough leverage to ask for that raise. Or I could simply waltz in the office and explain the time that I had spend would most definitely put the raise into consideration, and should the upper management decline it, at least they would be able to provide me with an explanation as to why.