Reasons for a payrise?

[Sinizter]

Seems to be a coursework project - in which case the "why the boss asked" is pointless.

[wombar]

Still brings up an interesting point about pay rises though, regardless of whether it's hypothetical. I often hear people talking about how they deserve a pay rise etc, but just because they've been there another year doesn't mean they should get an above inflation pay rise. Have they increased the company profits directly, learned some new skills that have benefitted the company?

IMO you should earn a pay rise by standing out from the crowd and really showing that you're great at your job. I got a lot of perks at my last job (working from home, 4 day week, flexible hours etc) because when I was working, I was really doing my best for the company and I had a lot of figures to back that up. My boss appreciated that and never let me down when it came time to talk turkey as it were.

If you've actually done something to warrant a pay rise, always go and talk to your boss about it, but give them some hints so they know it's coming and can prepare for it. There's no point ambushing your boss and demanding a decision, give them time to think about it. This approach has its pitfalls, but it's worked well for me in the past (though now I run my own company so I'm the boss).

When I hear people moaning about how they didn't get much I have no sympathy, go EARN a pay rise and then we'll talk. If you don't like it, go find another job quite frankly.

[Saracen]

Personanally I'd use the following

1) My costs of living have increased, to be able to continue to afford to do this job I need to match the increase with an increase in income.

.....

4) I've been offered work at another company for more money, however I do like working for you, increased pay will guarentee that I stay put.

Both of those, IMHO, are dangerous, because they're tantamount to blackmail. Number 4 might work, but you'd need to be VERY careful how you put it to avoid ending up as a marked man.

Thing is, if you resort to veiled threats, one of two things is likely to happen, depending on whether you're very valuable to the company. The first is, if you're not that valuable, that you'll be told "well take it then", and your cards will be marked as dissatisfied. The second, if you are valuable, is that you'll get what you want while they recruit or train your replacement, but you'll have pointed out that they are vulnerable to that kind of veiled threat, and that you're capable of and willing to make it and, in any event, your cards will still be marked.

You might be able to get away with that threat, but only if you put it very carefully. One thing to remember is that if you've been "offered" work elsewhere, it suggests you're dissatisfied and have been actively seeking it. Of course, you might not have been seeking it - you might have been headhunted. And that's a better approach, IMHO.

To your boss ....

"Can I have a word? Look, I like it here and don't want to leave, but I've been approached with an offer. Can you tell me what my prospects for the future are here, because the offer is good enough to be very hard to turn down".

That's rather different from "increased pay will guarentee that I stay put" albeit the subtext is pretty much the same.


As for the original OPs question, it's not unknown for that kind of question to be asked, and if nothing else, it gets the questionee thinking about what he/she brings to the workplace. Of course, it's all little more than psycho-bullpoop, but you really want answers that :-

1) indicate things you offer or are capable of that your co-workers don't or can't .... or won't.
2) Aren't things you're expected to do anyway.

I mean, there's not much point claiming that a reason is that you're punctual, because the employer has a right to expect that anyway, so it's hardly justification for a pay rise. But you might point out, for example, that you have good people skills and have been able to build very strong and productive relationships with customers because of your empathy and people skills.

[Blitzen]

The ONLY way i give rises that are above average is if people that have worked for me do 'above and beyond' what they are paid for.
It will always get respect and few a quid.

If an employee came to me and said he deserved more money because they were:
a) Always on time
b) Never ill
c) Work hard
d) Good at their job
e) Reliable
I would take little notice as all those things are what i am paying them for anyway.

However, if they came to me and said they think they deserve a rise because:
a). They have learnt a fresh aspect of their job
b). They are do more than they should be
c). Training others
d). Helping elsewhere when things are very busy
e). Not making a dash for it a 5pm even though there is IMPORTANT work thats urgent
f). They are keen and volunteer rather than have to be pushed.

These things impress and deserve recognising.

I also wouldnt be held to ransom. I dont care how good someone is at their job. If i think someone is worth more, then they get more.

If someone says they are looking elsewhere as they feel they should be earning more, i will help them write their new CV.

NO-ONE is unreplaceable.

[Saracen]

Agreed 100%, Blitzen.

[Salazaar]

I agree 92% with Blitzen, I don't think your sick days should ever be counted against you (except in really exceptional circumstances, like you're too ill to do your job anyway). Not that I've ever actually taken a sick day So long as you manage to fulfil all the other criteria that's all that should count.

[Lucio]

Both of those, IMHO, are dangerous, because they're tantamount to blackmail. Number 4 might work, but you'd need to be VERY careful how you put it to avoid ending up as a marked man.

I suspect that I phrased things a little too simply!

Yes, I agree with what you said, in my case I did phrase things more carefully with my boss and seemed genuinely shocked that I hadn't come to him before to ask for a raise!

[Blitzen]

Agreed 100%, Blitzen.

Hang on....im going to have to take a few days to get over this