Promoted position, demoted mind-set
Discussion
I work in a medium-sized organization in a department of 6 working in a Senior role (in terms of my duties) but no supervising/managing. The Company is currently going through a restructure and I have been told that my new job will be to head up the department. When it came to salary, I've been offered £150 more. TBH, I feel that I'm somewhat underpaid (benchmarked against similar roles in the region in similar Companies) already so not particularly happy with this. I've done my research on the new role and found I've been offered about 40% less than the median (the scale ranges about 10% each way of this). I presented this research to my boss who has now come back to me and offered an additional £50, making the total pay adjustment £200.
Don't get me wrong, I know some people are out of work, are going through a redundancy consultation - in short, in a significantly poorer position than me.... however, I feel like I'm being taken for a fool. I really enjoy my job, I know the Company inside and out, and really like the people I work with. I know there are things much more important then money but I know that if I stay for my £200 extra then I will always feel under-valued and de-motivated.
Advice please.
Don't get me wrong, I know some people are out of work, are going through a redundancy consultation - in short, in a significantly poorer position than me.... however, I feel like I'm being taken for a fool. I really enjoy my job, I know the Company inside and out, and really like the people I work with. I know there are things much more important then money but I know that if I stay for my £200 extra then I will always feel under-valued and de-motivated.
Advice please.
£200 extra a year.
I know my choices are:
Accept it
Walk
Negotiate
I could accept it, I'm very happy at work and the new role sounds really exciting. But I don't see why it would pay a much lower sum than the market rate.
I don't know the best way of walking. As I see it, there is no place for my current role in the new structure but if I ask for any redundancy monies (been there 9 years) they'll think I'm joking.
I don't know how best to negotiate (I've given everything I have: market research, comparisions with my peers, lack of payrises previously when given extra duties - always made it clear that I was unhappy when that happened, but essentially accepted it by continuing to work).
I know my choices are:
Accept it
Walk
Negotiate
I could accept it, I'm very happy at work and the new role sounds really exciting. But I don't see why it would pay a much lower sum than the market rate.
I don't know the best way of walking. As I see it, there is no place for my current role in the new structure but if I ask for any redundancy monies (been there 9 years) they'll think I'm joking.
I don't know how best to negotiate (I've given everything I have: market research, comparisions with my peers, lack of payrises previously when given extra duties - always made it clear that I was unhappy when that happened, but essentially accepted it by continuing to work).
scirocco265 said:
£200 extra a year.
I know my choices are:
Accept it
Walk
Negotiate
I could accept it, I'm very happy at work and the new role sounds really exciting. But I don't see why it would pay a much lower sum than the market rate.
I don't know the best way of walking. As I see it, there is no place for my current role in the new structure but if I ask for any redundancy monies (been there 9 years) they'll think I'm joking.
I don't know how best to negotiate (I've given everything I have: market research, comparisions with my peers, lack of payrises previously when given extra duties - always made it clear that I was unhappy when that happened, but essentially accepted it by continuing to work).
£200/year? Thats just an insult. Better to give nothing than that.I know my choices are:
Accept it
Walk
Negotiate
I could accept it, I'm very happy at work and the new role sounds really exciting. But I don't see why it would pay a much lower sum than the market rate.
I don't know the best way of walking. As I see it, there is no place for my current role in the new structure but if I ask for any redundancy monies (been there 9 years) they'll think I'm joking.
I don't know how best to negotiate (I've given everything I have: market research, comparisions with my peers, lack of payrises previously when given extra duties - always made it clear that I was unhappy when that happened, but essentially accepted it by continuing to work).
If you are happy there and you were happy with the wage before the change, then the best way to negotiate is with your performance. This counts far more than all the comparisons.
That really is an insult. Think about what that increase will mean to you net pay per week, considering you are about to manage a team you were a colleague with previously (it's a tough transition as some will really resent you), the increased work load, stress, responsibility, possible additional hours etc.
The bottom line is that unless the job offers remuneration in line with the role, it isn't worth the ball ache. A couple of thoughts on how to proceed:
1) Play hard ball. Tell your boss to shove it unless he pay's what your research shows the going market rate is.
2) Negotiate on performance. Agree what your goals are, then discuss your increased pay based on you reaching these targets in a defined period. Suggest 3 or 4 increments over a 18 month period. Depends how much you trust them though as it's easy for them to screw you, although once you are in the job you'll find it easier to move upwards to another employer than staying put.
The bottom line is that unless the job offers remuneration in line with the role, it isn't worth the ball ache. A couple of thoughts on how to proceed:
1) Play hard ball. Tell your boss to shove it unless he pay's what your research shows the going market rate is.
2) Negotiate on performance. Agree what your goals are, then discuss your increased pay based on you reaching these targets in a defined period. Suggest 3 or 4 increments over a 18 month period. Depends how much you trust them though as it's easy for them to screw you, although once you are in the job you'll find it easier to move upwards to another employer than staying put.
Edited by warp9 on Tuesday 6th November 09:50
scirocco265 said:
£200 extra a year.
I know my choices are:
Accept it
Walk
Negotiate
You've already tried to negotiate and failed.I know my choices are:
Accept it
Walk
Negotiate
There is a 4th option. Accept it and remain very focused that it's only for 18 months to get the experience and then you'll go and find a similar position elsewhere paying the market rate.
Sir Bagalot said:
You've already tried to negotiate and failed.
There is a 4th option. Accept it and remain very focused that it's only for 18 months to get the experience and then you'll go and find a similar position elsewhere paying the market rate.
I'd follow this route. It's easier learning to manage where you know how the company works. Stay at it for a year then look for something better.There is a 4th option. Accept it and remain very focused that it's only for 18 months to get the experience and then you'll go and find a similar position elsewhere paying the market rate.
^^^^ I would do this ^^^^
They are obviously not valuing the postion you are being offered, so it will probably be a pretty crap time (lots of responsibility, nothing else in compensation) but they are offering you the chance to gain experience that will potentially give you a 40% pay rise in the future, depends if you want to play the long game with them
They are obviously not valuing the postion you are being offered, so it will probably be a pretty crap time (lots of responsibility, nothing else in compensation) but they are offering you the chance to gain experience that will potentially give you a 40% pay rise in the future, depends if you want to play the long game with them
Sir Bagalot said:
You've already tried to negotiate and failed.
There is a 4th option. Accept it and remain very focused that it's only for 18 months to get the experience and then you'll go and find a similar position elsewhere paying the market rate.
This. But better yet, start looking for similar jobs immediately. Then if you're offered employment elsewhere, you can go back to your current employer, tell them of the offer, and advise that they pay you a matched salary or you're going.There is a 4th option. Accept it and remain very focused that it's only for 18 months to get the experience and then you'll go and find a similar position elsewhere paying the market rate.
Whatever you do, it's clear that they either can't\won't value the role properly, or think you are a soft touch who will take on buckets of extra stress and responsibility for about 25p a day - and that's before all the extra hours that wil be "expected" as a "manager".
Neither of these is good - polish your CV, get it out there.
If you do take it, consider it *purely* as a stepping-stone to a similar role in another company, and make sure you put your energy into finding a way out, not spending all your waking hours flogging yourself in that job.
To me, it sounds like they are getting ready to get rid of a few, and nobody above you wants to get their hands dirty. Expect to be managing a team of one in a year's time.
Neither of these is good - polish your CV, get it out there.
If you do take it, consider it *purely* as a stepping-stone to a similar role in another company, and make sure you put your energy into finding a way out, not spending all your waking hours flogging yourself in that job.
To me, it sounds like they are getting ready to get rid of a few, and nobody above you wants to get their hands dirty. Expect to be managing a team of one in a year's time.
I remember when I completed my 1st year I've got net £300/year salary increase as well 
I guess I'm not the only one then :P
Salary range varies depending on where you are based so hopefully you have factored that in your research... However it seems to me you will be given more responsibilities with minimal salary increase.
Depending on your options I would suggest first taking the offer. This is not a good time of the year to be jobless so I would cling on and in the mean time try to tidy up your CV and have a look around.
I guess I'm not the only one then :PSalary range varies depending on where you are based so hopefully you have factored that in your research... However it seems to me you will be given more responsibilities with minimal salary increase.
Depending on your options I would suggest first taking the offer. This is not a good time of the year to be jobless so I would cling on and in the mean time try to tidy up your CV and have a look around.
Honestly, its tough out there at the moment.
For example at my organisation no payrises and where promotions have been made the salaries are lower than they would have been a year ago. So you are not alone.
My view is that £200 seems very low. However I also feel that if the market pays a higher rate than you are on... then you just move if its such an issue. Or you stay and work it out. It sounds oike you have made management aware of your dissatisfaction in a professional way so not much more to do.
For example at my organisation no payrises and where promotions have been made the salaries are lower than they would have been a year ago. So you are not alone.
My view is that £200 seems very low. However I also feel that if the market pays a higher rate than you are on... then you just move if its such an issue. Or you stay and work it out. It sounds oike you have made management aware of your dissatisfaction in a professional way so not much more to do.
spikeyhead said:
Sir Bagalot said:
You've already tried to negotiate and failed.
There is a 4th option. Accept it and remain very focused that it's only for 18 months to get the experience and then you'll go and find a similar position elsewhere paying the market rate.
I'd follow this route. It's easier learning to manage where you know how the company works. Stay at it for a year then look for something better.There is a 4th option. Accept it and remain very focused that it's only for 18 months to get the experience and then you'll go and find a similar position elsewhere paying the market rate.
bogie said:
as above - accept it, get the new fancy job title on your CV, learn as much as you can from it, and start looking for your next move immediately
Definitely. Forget the £200 and just see it as them doing you the lovely favour of giving you a better title for your CV which you can use in a years time 
warp9 said:
That really is an insult. Think about what that increase will mean to you net pay per week, considering you are about to manage a team you were a colleague with previously (it's a tough transition as some will really resent you), the increased work load, stress, responsibility, possible additional hours etc.
The bottom line is that unless the job offers remuneration in line with the role, it isn't worth the ball ache. A couple of thoughts on how to proceed:
1) Play hard ball. Tell your boss to shove it unless he pay's what your research shows the going market rate is.
2) Negotiate on performance. Agree what your goals are, then discuss your increased pay based on you reaching these targets in a defined period. Suggest 3 or 4 increments over a 18 month period. Depends how much you trust them though as it's easy for them to screw you, although once you are in the job you'll find it easier to move upwards to another employer than staying put.
Agree. 100net,totally daft.The bottom line is that unless the job offers remuneration in line with the role, it isn't worth the ball ache. A couple of thoughts on how to proceed:
1) Play hard ball. Tell your boss to shove it unless he pay's what your research shows the going market rate is.
2) Negotiate on performance. Agree what your goals are, then discuss your increased pay based on you reaching these targets in a defined period. Suggest 3 or 4 increments over a 18 month period. Depends how much you trust them though as it's easy for them to screw you, although once you are in the job you'll find it easier to move upwards to another employer than staying put.
Edited by warp9 on Tuesday 6th November 09:50
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