Make Yourself Invaluable For More Valuable Paychecks

In business, there seems to be an expectation of “I do my job without screwing up, so I want more money!” or “Pay me more and I will do more work.”

Actually, in most companies, you are being paid to do your job well already, and rewarding employees who can demonstrate that they are willing and capable of more responsibility makes more sense than throwing cash at someone in the hope that it will improve their performance.

As a manager, here are some of the conversations I have had.

Employee #1: “I am not getting paid as much as [Coworker].”

Me: “You refused to do the (free, one-hour) training. It was explained that if you didn’t do it, you wouldn’t get a pay rise. Will you do the training?”

Employee #1: “No. But I think I should get the pay rise.”

Me: “No.”

Another:

Employee #2: “I think I deserve more money; I have been here for [number] years.”

Me: *After getting the records* “You have the worst attendance record in the company and two written warnings for behaviour. It looks like you were told at the last pay review to improve, and only then would your pay be reviewed. It seems to have gotten worse!”

Employee #2: “Oh, yeah, I remember. So… can I have my pay reviewed?”

Me: “No.”

Another:

Employee #3: “I will leave if I don’t get an extra [number] thousand pounds.”

Me: “Look. I like you, so I will be honest with you; for that money, we could employ someone with twice your experience. But I can look into what we can get you. Have you seen that sort of money being advertised elsewhere?”

Employee #3: “No.”

Me: “So your plan to leave isn’t backed up with any sort of other job?”

Employee #3: “No.”

Me: “Or evidence that your job currently pays or is worth what you are asking?”

Employee #3: “No.”

Me: “Not exactly making it easy to fight your corner.”

I go away to argue with HR and my boss and pull together a plan to develop him and teach him valuable skills.

Me: “You will have to take on these extra responsibilities to progress in the company to get extra money. Interested?”

Employee #3: “Not really.”

If you are looking for more money, get a review set up with your boss, explain that you would like to progress, and ask to set up goals for you to achieve this. They should be realistic and measurable. If you are already taking on extra work, make a note of what you are doing and how often, remember that it is normal to take on extra reasonable duties in every role, and check your contract for what you should be doing.

Always focus on the positives while being clear that you expect this to grow into opportunities to do more and earn more.