Low Raise Expected – What Should I Do?
Published on March 5th, 2008 by Alan Sklover
Question: I work in a medium-sized advertising agency outside of Chicago. The last two years my raises have been only 2%. I’m supposed to be learning what this year’s raise will be, and I don’t expect much. Any suggestions if it happens again? Should I quit? (By the way, like your blog.)
Martha, Chicago, Illinois
Answer: Martha, you’ve got two choices: either let it happen again, or make happen what you want to happen this time. If you just “let it happen,” chances are you’ll do no better than last year, and maybe even worse. To “make it happen” the way you want, you’ve got to put in the effort. No one will “make it happen” for you if you don’t do it yourself.
Make a list of the important things you do for your boss, and the valuable skills, traits or attitude you have that enable you to do them. It might be that you are the person who always comes in Saturdays if needed, or you are the person who keeps the clients updated on their projects, etc. You may be the only person in the office who is skilled at the presentation software. The idea: to remind your boss that you are worth saving, and worth investing in. It’s like selling anything: this time, though, it’s selling your value.
Prepare a memo to your boss. Remind him or her of your “unique human capital,” and tell him or her what raise you’d like – and expect – this year. So long as it’s respectful, reasonable, and has a positive rationale – what will help you maintain your good efforts – there really is no downside. After sending it to him or her, ask for a brief meeting to ensure the two of you are on the “same track.”
That’s negotiating for yourself at work at its simplest, and its best.
Best, Al Sklover
PS: Look over some of the articles in our Newsletter Library on raises and promotions…you might find them helpful.
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I am in a similar situation as Martha. Over the last three years my raises have been in the 2-4% range. This year I am looking for around 6-8%.
If they wont offer me anymore than 4% – Is it then possible to negotiate vacation time? I wouldn’t mind more time off over the summer to spend with my kids.
Julia
Julia,
Yes, it’s entirely possible to negotiate more time off if this year’s raise doesn’t meet your expectations.
This is what we suggest to make it most probable that you’ll get what you want:
(a) Prepare a memo, listing the very valuable things you do for your boss, your department, your company, that are special, unusual, unique to you, ‘beyond the usual call of duty.’ You must establish and maintain a tone of respect and loyalty; you must avoid creating any sense of bitterness, or threat. This memo is intended to help you collect your thoughts, and to convey them to your boss (or whoever is going to make the decision about your raise) to show how valuable you are to his, or her, success.
(b) Second, mention that the lower raises of past years have made it difficult for you to make ends meet, and how distracting it is for you; you might, too, consider mentioning that you may need to take on a part-time job. The idea is this, ‘If I get a raise of 8% (or at least 7%) I can do a better job for you.’
(c) Third, place into the memo that, to make up for poor (2%-3%) raises in the past, you would hope to get an 8% raise this year, no less than 7%. Put into the memo that, if this is not possible, an acceptable alternative would be a raise of 6% plus more time off, so that you might cut costs of childcare, housekeeping, even possibly take on some part-time work. The additional time off might be in the form of Fridays in the summer, more vacation time, or every Friday afternoon off.
Make sure to mention that you are happy with your job, and want to be more valuable to your boss, but that you could do your job that much better, with less distraction, and greater focus, if either (1) the raise you need, or (2) extra time off, were granted to you.
The key is this: Bosses reward those who (a) they view as valuable, and (b) don’t want to lose. You should never threaten to quit, unless you are truly ready to do so, but perception of value to your boss (personally) is what motivates these decisions in your favor.
By the way, check out my Newsletter Library on Raises and Promotions, especially my Newsletter entitled, ‘Bonus or Raise Disappointing? Consider these Alternative Forms of Compensation.’ It’s right on point.
Best of luck. Please let me know how it goes. If you find this helpful, please tell a friend.
Best,
Al Sklover