ALT-1 Get that Raise Understand your Companys Policies first
While most employers offer annual incentive increases for employees, there may be other times when employees feel they deserve a raise. One of the first things that must be done in order to get that raise is to understand your company’s policies first. Not all positions within a company are granted the same levels of pay increases. Here are some simple steps to take to determine what company policies will impact pay increases.Check policy manual of companyMany companies issue a policy manual to employees when they start. These manuals may provide insight as to when a company will grant a raise. In addition, some manuals will also provide a grid or chart that shows pay ceilings at various levels. Check to see if there are maximum increases on an annual basis as well, some company policies may impact how much a supervisor or manager may be able to increase department overhead during the year.When there is no written policyIf a company does not have a written policy regarding pay increases, it is good idea to visit with a representative of the payroll department. In many cases, they may be able to provide an employee with information regarding annual increase policies as well as any caps on maximum salary levels.Review job descriptionsAll too frequently employees are doing tasks that push them to a higher level position without actually being “promoted” to the position. In these instances, the employee will need to obtain a job description for the job they are “assigned” to as well as to the job they are actually performing. Compare these two job descriptions and determine the variation in the pay scales.Be prepared for a discussionOnce an employee is armed with the right information, the time has come to prepare themselves to meet with their supervisor or manager. Prepare a grid that shows the following information:A) Job descriptions - In the event that there are conflicts between the job being performed and the job that an employee was hired to do, the two descriptions should be listed. A separate column should highlight the variations in the two descriptions.B) Current responsibilities - Create a list of the current responsibilities that are being filled in the position that you are working. This will also help highlight the variation in job descriptions. In addition, include information regarding special projects that were completed (successfully or unsuccessfully)C) Additional training - In some cases, employees may find that training they have undertaken will help them get a “bump” in title. When this occurs, there may be a modest pay raise for the additional skills.When economic times are as challenging as they currently are, it is crucial for employees to have the information that they need to make smart career moves. In order to get that raise, there must be a thorough understanding of your company’s policies and how they impact you as an employee. Before running in and demanding a raise, make sure that there is a clear reason (besides feeling entitled) that a raise should be granted.Once employees have done their research and prepared a rational argument for a pay increase they can meet with their superiors and feel they are coming from a position of power. Remember, the more information that is presented, the more likely a supervisor is able to see the validity of therequest for a pay increase.
