How to find out if you’re not being paid enough… and how to get your boss to give you a raise

After years of bad economic news, we finally have some positive news regarding our salaries.

In May, the ‘real wage’ (adjusted for inflation) for UK workers rose at the fastest pace in more than two years. Moreover, wage growth last month was so strong that it may delay a rate cut.

But that’s little consolation if you suspect you’re not being paid what you’re worth. If you’re unhappy with your current salary, here are some questions to think about – and expert advice on how to maximise your chances of a pay rise…

HAVE YOU DONE YOUR HOMEWORK?

You can look up average salaries on websites like Glassdoor and Monster, which have a calculator that will tell you what your salary should be based on your job title, location, and years of experience.

The Office for National Statistics has a calculator to help you work out how much your pay rise needs to be to keep pace with inflation and average wage growth.

According to Sir Cary Cooper, professor of organisational psychology and health at the University of Manchester’s Alliance Manchester Business School, it’s also worth reaching out informally to other people working in similar sectors and asking them to share data.

“This will give you hard evidence and make you look very professional rather than someone who is just taking a chance. You may also want to know if there is someone internally who has a similar job and is being paid more.”

The Office for National Statistics has a calculator that tells you how much your pay rise should be to keep pace with inflation and average wage growth

ARE WOMEN GOING SO CRAZY?

The gender pay gap is still very much alive. Every company with 250 or more employees must report its gender pay gap data, and the figures for 2022/23 showed that 79 per cent of employers had a higher median hourly wage for men than for women.

If you suspect you earn less than your male colleagues, you can search the database at gov.uk/find-gender-pay-gap-data.

And if you’re unhappy with your salary, you need to take action. Last year’s research found that 68 percent of women would not ask for a pay rise, compared to 54 percent of men.

It may feel like the odds are stacked against you: according to a 2022 YouGov survey, one in five women who ask for a pay rise actually get one, compared to almost a third of men. Still, it’s important to stand your ground.

‘Seeking a pay rise is much more problematic for women than for men,’ says Sir Cary. ‘Women often think that their boss – usually a man – will reward them for good performance, but they don’t. If you don’t ask, you don’t get! Men, on the other hand, have no illusions and are much more robust and assertive in seeking a higher salary or promotion.’

WHEN SHOULD YOU APPROACH YOUR BOSS?

Early riser catches the worm. To increase your chances of success, it is important to check with your HR department when annual budgets are planned. This way, you can get in before other pay increases are implemented and the money runs out.

When the time comes to make your request, it’s best to do it in the morning, as research shows that bosses suffer from “decision fatigue” later in the day.

Sir Cary says you should also choose a time when your boss is “not bullied, anxious or stressed out.” So avoid picking him or her up when he or she is going to a meeting.

But a pay rise doesn’t necessarily have to come at the end of the year. Cheney Hamilton, CEO of flexible work network Find Your Flex, says: “There’s no harm in asking for regular pay, especially if you’re consistently delivering more than what’s required. Just as businesses want to maximise their profits, employees should also ensure they’re being fairly compensated for their contributions.”

She adds: ‘Always try to make your request in person, as it is harder for someone to turn it down in person. Start by scheduling a meeting via email or phone, but ask the question during the meeting. If your request is denied, you have the right to ask for written reasons and guidance on what else you need to do to justify a raise.’

WHAT ARGUMENTS SHOULD YOU PUT FORWARD?

When it comes to wording, Ms. Hamilton says to start by “setting a positive tone,” saying how much you enjoy working at the company and with your team. Then be direct: “According to my email, I’d like to discuss my current salary and initiate a formal salary review.”

Don’t just say that you think you deserve more, but be specific about what you add to the organization.

Chief Executive Cheney Hamilton recommends making your request in person, as it’s harder for your boss to reject it in person (file image)

“If you have consistently gone above and beyond your job description or taken on management responsibilities without adequate compensation, document these contributions,” Ms. Hamilton says. “Show how your efforts support the company and explain why it is fair to recognize this through a higher salary.”

She also suggests that if the request is due to a cost of living increase, you may consider asking for support from colleagues to jointly request a salary increase to increase your chances.

Finally, says Sir Cary, you should let your boss know “that you appreciate his or her support for your career development and look forward to the challenge of greater responsibility.”