To say that the employment market is precarious right now would be an understatement.
People are doing everything they can to hold on to their work or keep businesses afloat, with some waiting in fear of what will happen once furlough ends in October (and whether they will have any jobs to go back to at all).
The uncertainty presents a big problem for those who are in stable roles, too – as it could see their careers slow down substantially.
We all want to feel valued in the workplace, and while this may not seem like a major issue in comparison to losing one’s job, having to wait an extra year or two for career progression, especially a pay rise, can feel stressful, and demoralising.
Layoffs in other parts of the company could also see employees having to pick up more work without being appropriately compensated for it.
So what do you do when there’s a literal pandemic going on, the economy is shaky (to say the least) but you want to move forward in your job?
Let’s start with the most important question.
Should you ask for a pay rise in lockdown?
According to Ed Johnson, co-founder and CEO of PushFar, you should absolutely ask for a pay rise, if you feel it’s time.
‘Don’t treat the request differently just because of the current climate,’ he explains.
‘The “ask” and the way to handle it should be the same regardless of external situations and circumstances.
‘If you feel you can justify it, then the current climate should not change things.’
Vintia Ramtri, a mindset coach, agrees and adds that lockdown could be the perfect time to showcase your unique skillset.
‘Lockdown has been incredibly hard for the job market and many people would advise against asking for a pay rise when firms have taken such a beating.
‘But think again. It’s times such as these that call for the best people to rise and deliver.
‘Whether it’s operating long hours, or managing tremendously complex and never ending change, while making sure that customers are safe, many people have pulled all stops to do what it takes.
‘They say adaptability and resilience are some key skills for the future and what better platform to demonstrate those skills than the lockdown?’
However, before you ask for the cold hard cash, take an honest look at the company’s unique situation.
If there have been layoffs in the past week or month, and everyone is doing their part to ensure the future of the business, it might be best to hold off – for a little while.
But don’t stay on the back-burner forever.
Remember, you’re not doing the company a favour by being a good worker – you are providing a valuable service and deserve to be recognised for it.
Ed adds: ‘That said, asking for a pay rise should be done with care and consideration at any time, but particularly in a period of instability and uncertainty.
‘If colleagues are on furlough or your organisation is making job cuts, know that the odds are highly stacked against you.
‘Having the sensitivity and emotional intelligence to handle the request is vital.
‘With all that taken into account, build a business case and defend your request accordingly.’
It can be difficult to know if the business is stable if you’re not privy to this type of information, but you are within your right to ask your manager for a meeting.
Be honest and fair, but don’t shy away from the hard questions.
Know your worth – but be realistic
Not sure how much to ask for?
Avoid situations where you undersell or oversell your skills (in monetary value) by doing your research before entering the meeting.
‘It’s no good asking for an unrealistic sum as your boss won’t take you seriously if you appear to have plucked a figure out of the air,’ says Sue Andrews, HR & business consultant at KIS Finance.
‘Make sure you have the evidence to back up your request, such as salary survey data and be prepared to accept that large increases are unlikely to be agreed during these uncertain times.’
And consider if money is the main motivator for you, or if you would be equally happy with a different type of compensation.
Never talk about how hard you work (everyone thinks they work hard)…
‘Always approach a salary discussion as a process, not a one-off discussion,’ says Patrick Barr, leadership expert and author of The Successful Career Toolkit.
‘Also look at other things the company may be able to give you that have value but not cost the company very much e.g. giving you more paid holidays, or a bigger pension contribution or paying for you to do a course.
‘These things are easier for the company to give you and may in the long run be worth more to you than a straight pay rise.’
Come armed with facts, not feelings
Business is business.
Even if you are best buds with your boss, it’s always better to request a pay rise with facts, rather than appeal to feelings.
There’s no need to butter anyone up, simply show them the results that you have produced.
‘Check your emotions at the door – this is a business decision, not an emotional one,’ says Joe Wiggins, careers trends expert at Glassdoor.
‘Does the company have room in the budget? Are you an exceptional performer?
‘Are you going above and beyond right now during a difficult time?
‘You need to be sensitive to the situation around you, but some companies are thriving and on a hiring surge, in which case you are on more solid ground.’
Put together a document or a list of your best work, figures, performance statics (if relevant) or any other ways you can think of to show how amazing you are at your job.
Having this on paper will not only be good for that important pay rise chat, but it will also provide you with your worth in black and white – which is great for the confidence.
‘If you have been working and really putting in the hours, I’d say sit down and make a list of the contributions you’ve made over the past six months and look at where you’ve gone the extra mile,’ says Natalie Trice, a confidence coach.
‘Maybe setting up staff Zoom calls to keep people connected, helping your employer to set up new systems or even looking at where you have helped the business you work for by save money or finding a way to give back to the NHS.
‘What you really want to show is that you are committed and if you feel that you have the right relationship with your manager and can have an honest conversation with them, I’d say be brave and do it. ‘
Play the wild card, but take care with ultimatums
If you have another job offer on the table, this could be the perfect time to leverage it for a pay rise at your existing workplace.
On the one hand, this could show your employer that you are in high demand, but on the other, they may not have the funds to match the other offer.
Ultimatums don’t always pay off – so consider if it’s worth the gamble (especially if you don’t fancy the new gig as much or it only pays marginally better).
Joe adds: ‘Have a plan if your boss says no – even if you’ve built a case, chosen the right time and presented your case in an objective way, your boss might still say no.’
What to avoid saying when you ask for a pay rise
Most business experts agree: avoid threatening language and keep your cool if the conversation doesn’t go your way.
Patrick says: ‘Never talk about how hard you work (everyone thinks they work hard), focus on your the positive impact and outcomes you deliver for the company.
‘Don’t make threats e.g. threaten to leave unless you get a pay rise because your boss will either call your bluff or resent being blackmailed into giving you a pay rise neither of which are good outcomes.’
Consider the environment, too.
Set up a meeting specifically to discuss your progress in the company, don’t just blurt out your desires for a pay rise in a random catch-up.
‘Managers are human too and they won’t like feeling that they have been pushed into agreeing to something,’ says Sue.
‘If things become heated you’re not only unlikely to get a raise, you may also find it damages your future prospects too.
‘With many companies facing the prospect of having to make redundancies in the coming months, be careful not to give your manager a reason to have a negative opinion of you.’
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