How do you ask for a raise

[SirThumper]

Say a person hasn't had a raise in 4 yrs. since the first year they worked in the business. The person is the top employee, and the business goes into a crisis situation everytime the employee takes some time off.

What is a professional way to go to your boss and ask for a raise?

I have been self employed for most of my career and have not had to go through this type of thing. My wife however, could use some advise on the matter of asking for a raise. She is getting frustrated doing the other employees jobs, for the amount she is making.

 

[RM_guy]

I think it depends on where she works. Have her look for another job and use the (hopefully) higher salary as leverage to get more money at her current job. If they don’t bite, take the other job. Be careful though, it can be a double edge sword if she’s not careful. She may end up leaving a job she really enjoyed regardless of the pay.

Has she discussed her frustrations with her management? If she is so frustrated that she is unhappy, they may do something. Nobody likes to lose a valuable employee but the best people usually need the least attention and management will only oil the squeaky wheels which tends to be the poor performers.

Good luck and let us know how she makes out.

 

[bbbom]

The company I used to work for held annual interviews where the big boss would meet with you and discuss your strengths, weaknesses, recent success' and failures, contributions to the company and your future plans (big big company).

The company would send out a form with the above topics a few weeks in advance for each employee to fill out then they would set up a meeting with the employee and supervisor to go over the info. By taking the time to write down why you thought you should get a raise before the meeting, you lowered the stress level and made the meeting more productive. It also made it pretty simple to know wether or not you should even expect a raise.

Your wife could do that and include how much of a raise she expects. It is much easier to stay calm if you know what you want to say and practice it.

It doesn't hurt to send out feelers for a new employer either. At least it gives you another option if the request isn't received well. She might just find something better too.

My greatest memory from my previous employer was the day I quit because they didn't give me the raise I felt I deserved. A company I had been chasing for 6 years offered me the pay that I wanted (plus many more benefits). The District Manager of the previous company asked me to reconsider and he would look at the comp but it was too late, I was moving back home and nothing could stop me.

 

[Strick]

Sir Thumper;

All the advice above is very good. The recurring theme is: she needs to look for another job. Regardless if she takes on a new employer or not, she needs to find out what her position pays elsewhere, given her experience. This has really worked well in our office with the support staff. If she is THAT valuable, the company she is working for knows it. It will probably not bankrupt them to throw some additional dollars her way. She MUST know what she can get elsewhere first. It could be in some economies that the work force is plentiful, and her current rate of pay is all the job is worth (but I doubt this is true). Good Luck

p.s. use some of her raise to come down to Reno in February!

 

[biglou]

I know how she feels, SirT. I have a philosophy about work: "If you want to do someone else's job in addition to yours, experience has shown me that they will let you." It's hard not to do it all, especially if you're a consciensious (sp?) person. Some places are very good about rewarding hard work, but others are more than willing to sit back and let you go at it until you spend yourself and go elswhere. If her company truly values her contribution, I would think that they would compensate her accordingly for it. The only downside is the fact that the economy is down. Good luck.

 

[Okiewan]

I just run around the boss' desk yelling " MO MOMEY! MO MONEY!"
Wait a second, I don't have a boss and I haven't gotten a raise in years. My method is probably not that good. Nevermind.

 

[Rich Rohrich]

Originally posted by Okiewan
I just run around the boss' desk yelling " MO MOMEY! MO MONEY!"

... and the dog looks on in utter confusion.:eek:

 

[Fred T]

I own my own business and...

first of all I'm shocked that your wife has not had a wage review in 4 years! Her employer is out of touch or over confident with their ability to staff. I suggest she first talk to her boss about the fact that she feels it's time to review her wages and that she feels she is worth more money than she is currently being paid - no other job threats just making them aware that she is unhappy. The ball is then in their court to make a decent offer or tell her why it's not possible. She will then understand their position, get a raise or exercise other options that she see's fit. This is the time to seek other employment IMHO, when you know you have been forthcoming with your current employer and they choose to ignor your requests. Never burn a bridge because you may have to cross over it again in the future -the new job might now work out well or the new business may fold. Good relationships are based on good comunication and trust. I review my teams wages yearly and we discuss their progress evey 6 months.

 

[Strick]

After reading the above I must add: Prepare for the worst, hope for the best. Have her shop the market FIRST!

Communication is valuable if all parties communicate. 4 years - no raise, no review, come on! Who isn't communicating? It's kinda like who is the child and who is the adult!

 

[Fred T]

I agree with you Strick,...

don't get me wrong. I am just stating that a good business relationship requires BOTH parties to communicate and have trust. If one side is not pulling their weight then the other side should tell them about it. I personally get turned off by getting a threat first instead of a request to look more closely at a concern. If I screw up after that request then I deserve a threat to lose the employee and or even the fact that I have lost them because I failed them. That's fair. OTOH if I feel they are underperforming I think they should get an opportunty to be told about it and to get better before I start threatening them with losing their job...see my point? Take things one step at a time.

 

[Strick]

Agreed Fred. You definitely don't want to come across like you are giving an ultimatum. Some owners/managers aren't good in the 'being the boss' position. I wish Lady Thumper the best!

 

[Fred T]

True.

Originally posted by Strick
Agreed Fred. You definitely don't want to come across like you are giving an ultimatum. Some owners/managers aren't good in the 'being the boss' position. I wish Lady Thumper the best!

Yep! THAT is the #1 reason people leave jobs, because of how they are treated by their boss...it's a bigger deal than how much they make. My #1 priority in staffing managers is their people skills, it creates less turnover.

 

[SirThumper]

Thanks everyone,

My first advice to her was to go to her boss with another job offer and see what happens. After reading the above advise, I think going to her boss with the knowledge of position wages elsewhere, would be in her favor. (position wages elsewhere. Doesn't that sound kind of....odd?:eek: )

Ok, here's the deal, she is an insurance agent, in a small office of 3 workers that includes her boss. However, she is the only (writing) agent in the office. She basically handles everything on her own. She is being paid a wage plus comission. She only gets paid the comission on the work she brings in. The wage is $7.00 hr.

Is she just being greedy or what?

She makes good money, but she feels she is worth more.

 

[BSWIFT]

Classified ads laying in plain view on her desk will get attention, especially when they are highlighted. Have any vacation time? Take off half a day, come dressed to KILL (interview wise). This is a subtle way of bringing up the subject without being blatant. I've been in these situations way too often over the last several years.
First, check out other employment opportunities.
Second, casually mention that you've heard about an open position elsewhere.
Third, be patient for a short time then ask for a review.
Be prepared for the worst in the review, this lets you handle things calmly and calculated. Wages aren't everything but good money to good people is well worth the price. Good luck.:think

 

[Patman]

Here's another bosses perspective. Granted our method of operation is vastly different than most companies but I think the reason it is that way is because we knew what didn't seem to work. Do some research as far as the going rate and what she feels her true worth to the company is. Then go talk to the boss. "You know I have not had an adjustment in my wage in 4 years I would like to discuss this with you....." . Anybody that walks into my office and says "I have another offer for $X more." Gets nowhere with me. I wish them luck, ask for them to formalize it in writing, and THEN tell them if they had come to me FIRST maybe we could have resolved it before they became unhappy. I'll be real honest though, we pay our people REALLY well, have a very relaxed work environment 95% or the time, and let each employee set their path and timeline. The flip side is the other 5% of the time they need to give it their all and anybody but the cream of the crop won't stay because of all the over achievers we breed.

Your wife sounds like somebody that should be able to easily get a sizable increase and if her current employer can not give that to her I'm sure somebody else will. Most companies bank on the fact that people get comfortable in their job and don't really want to move someplace else or they have a set percentage of turnover they just accept. Both methods are setup to fail in the long run. You either end up with a bunch of underachievers or nobody that knows what is going on because they are so new and all the good people either become underachievers or they move on. Granted we live in different places but our receptionist is pulling down 60% more than your wife just for some light file work and answering the phone.

 

[WoodsRider]

I used to work for an company that was in a financial mess and wouldn't give regular raises. Most of the time you'd have to demand a raise. Sometimes they'd cough it up between 10% & 12% and give the employee a new title. Other times they'd just tell the employee to take a hike. Of course then they'd hire a replacement and have to pay them more than what the previous employee requested. This was the direct result of poor management. After putting up with their BS I finally left and within three years doubled my former salary. When I gave notice they tried like hell to get me to stay even offered to beat the offer I'd received, but I had already accepted the other job. I won't use another job to threaten an employer. If they consider me an asset and value my skills and experience then they'll compensate as such. If they consider me disposable then they'll treat me as such too.

Tell your wife to find a new job!

 

[RM_guy]

Originally posted by WoodsRider
…within three years doubled my former salary...

So… now you make $5.00/hour :p

 

[WoodsRider]

Originally posted by RM_guy
So… now you make $5.00/hour :p

Now Dave, I know that's a whole lot more than you make, but try not to be too jealous. ;)

Actually that's about what I end up with after taxes, insurance, bills, house payment and Mrs. Woods' weekly trip to the mall for maternity clothes. :think

 

[70 marlin]

woods what till there 15yrs.

I'm lucky if I get to cash my check :confused: