DON’T BE AFRAID TO RAISE ISSUE OF MORE PAY

SALARIES have stalled and workers are too scared to ask for a raise, with almost half afraid the conversation could cost them their job.

Research from recruitment agency Adecco showed 50 per cent of workers had not received a pay increase within the past two years, and 45 per cent thought asking for a pay rise could jeopardise job security.

However, psychologist Sabina Read says these concerns are not generally valid.

“Initiating a salary-related conversation rarely correlates negatively with job security, as long as the topic is broached with sound preparation and factual information, as opposed to emotional pleas or complaints,” she says.

Read says too many people believe it is others’ responsibility to notice their behaviour or needs.

“This faulty thinking can apply when asking for a hug from a partner to a raise in the workplace, and often our hesitation is fear-based,” she says.

“We don’t want to be rejected, so we keep our unmet needs to ourselves.

“Leave the emotion at the door, and go for it. Even if the answer is no, you will have kick-started a useful and valid conversation rather than stewing in unproductive and passive resentment juices.”

Adecco managing director Marianna Mood believes more guidance is needed on how to discuss salary with a manager.

“We often see candidates coming in for new positions with their main motivation being to increase their salary, but often they haven’t had that conversation with their current manager,” she says.

“Leaving a position based on salary may not always be the best option.”

Workers should have the pay rise conversation after 12 months in a role, and approach their employer with examples of their performance and an understanding of the current job market.

Career Development Association of Australia spokeswoman Rebecca Fraser recommends being prepared for an employer to turn down a pay-rise request. If the company cannot afford to offer more money, she says workers can instead ask for extra annual leave or education opportunities.

Overall, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals Australian salaries increased 2.3 per cent in the year to the September quarter, just ahead of CPI (consumer price index) at 1.9 per cent. Rises ranged from 1.8 per cent in the mining and retail trade industries to 2.8 per cent in the healthcare and social assistance industry.

EVEN IF THE ANSWER IS NO, YOU WILL HAVE KICK-STARTED A USEFUL AND VALID CONVERSATION