The wave of price increases that has hit the economy over the past year and a half poses many salaried employees with a complex problem of wage erosion.
In a reality in which rents can jump by thousands of shekels at once, mortgages rise and other expenses rise – it sounds logical and maybe even necessary to approach the employer and ask for a salary increase.
So what's the right way to do it? Is it correct to explain the request for an increase in household expenses, and what to do if a negative response is received? We turned to an expert with decades of experience in the field of human resources, who herself employs 5,000 employees - Michal Dan Harel, CEO of Manpower Israel.
Michal Dan Harel, Photo: Yehoshua Yosef
"An employee who turns to his employer and asks for a salary increase for reasons such as 'I had a child,' 'They raised my rent,' 'This wave of price increases affects me very much' – his chances of success in this case are very low," Dan Harel explains in a special interview with Israel Hayom. "A request whose reasons come from these directions will not be seriously considered.
"When an employer considers a salary update for an employee, it takes into account the employee's performance and the state of the company. The cost of living is not a major consideration at this juncture."
Why?
"The employer manages an economic unit that includes not only one employee. Usually there is also a group of 'equals' who receive a similar salary, and once in a period checks and matches are made between the job description, the skills required in it and the number of relevant available employees. There is a kind of free economy in which the level of wages is determined, and the defined salary range will not usually be affected by a specific request from an employee."
So what is the right way to act vis-à-vis the employer?
"The right way is to show that the employee's contribution is such that it is worthwhile for the organization to keep him, and invest more resources to do so. Those who want a salary increase should focus on the following ways and methods: to express good performance, a high level of motivation and commitment, a willingness to contribute to society beyond the job he or she is performing, and also - to put it on the table and ask. Don't be passive and wait for someone to come and propose to you. In most cases, it's not your personal circumstances that will make the difference."
Is preparation required before such a conversation?
"As with any goal we set for ourselves, it is worthwhile to prepare - to try to understand the salary level in the organization in positions like mine, to check whether they are satisfied with my performance or not.
"Going to a manager and asking for a raise when my last performance evaluation was bad is doomed to failure. But if I have good evaluations and good performance, then the application is legitimate and my chances of success increase significantly."
How many years is it customary to ask for a salary increase?
"It's very, very organization-dependent. There are organizations that hold a salary discussion once a year, and there are organizations that do not have a fixed date. It is recommended to carefully examine what is customary in the organization. I can tell you that quite a few times I raised wages for an employee on my own initiative, it's definitely a great experience for both sides."
, salary slip // salary depressing?,
How should I contact my employer?
"Such an appeal must be a personal appeal in a face-to-face conversation. It should exist when the other side has the time to give it the attention it deserves. Requires preparation. At the end of the day, there is an ecosystem here that the employee seeks to change. If the organization is currently in difficulties and is experiencing a bad business period – the timing is not optimal, but such a request can still be placed on the table, one need only take into account that its chances are not high.
If the employee is considering changing jobs due to salary considerations, it is recommended to conduct himself transparently and put this on the table, but it must be done in a respectful way without issuing an ultimatum. At certain levels, it is possible, together with the manager, to define a track accompanied by goals that will be accompanied by a salary update, in which case it will be easier to get approval for a raise
What else is important to know when planning to ask for a raise?
"It is always important to remember that salary is not the only parameter that should be examined, the salary package in most cases contains additional parameters that are worth quite a bit and it is important to remember this. For example, contributions that the employer transfers to the various funds, the annual quota of vacation days, and more. Flexibility must be given weight in the set of considerations, flexibility is an important issue that should not be taken for granted. Many times the employer doesn't have an immediate answer and they ask for time to think about it. True, we usually will not receive an answer to a request for a salary increase immediately.
In order to advance the process, I suggest asking during the conversation if there is any data he would like to receive in order to make the decision easier, and you can also ask when there will be an answer, in a respectful and pleasant manner of course. It is important that this question be raised during the conversation and not after it, since the momentum is here. If the date has passed when the answer was supposed to be given but it was not received, it is worth taking a few more days after the date and only then asking if there is an answer, so as not to look petty. This conversation is also recommended to be done face-to-face, neither by email nor by message, and according to the same principles that apply to the conversation itself, also to a reminder if necessary. You have to remember that many times processes in an organization really take time."
Many of us don't like asking for a salary increase. Does the degree of self-confidence shown during the conversation have a great impact on the employer?
"I don't think it has any effect on the decision. At the same time, the tone of the conversation and the general atmosphere we manage to create will make an important contribution. If the request for a salary increase is illogical and irrational, the general atmosphere will have no effect on the outcome of the application. As we mentioned before, early preparation and practice of the conversation may help and influence the final result . I always say that if the employer expects his employee to be proactive and assertive, capable of successfully going out and completing the tasks in his area of responsibility, it is also super legitimate for him to be assertive even when working to achieve his personal goals."
How do I respond if I get a negative answer?
"Assuming you want to continue filling the position and working for the same organization, I would ask at what time or under what circumstances a salary increase would be possible. It may be a matter of time, say, in six months it will be possible because the business situation will improve and more. It's a very legitimate question, which I think most managers will respect very much."
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