Handling Sticky Salary Situations
Money is often a sensitive subject. But in the workplace, it's not one you can ignore. To receive the compensation you deserve, you'll have to ask for it and, at times, confront tricky compensation-related dilemmas. Following are tips for effectively handling some common sticky salary scenarios: Q: I just found out a co-worker with the same job title is earning more than me. I'm upset. How should I handle this? A: It can be disconcerting to learn a colleague in a similar position makes more money than you. And while you might be tempted to immediately march into your manager's office to demand an explanation -- and a raise -- it's wise to take a more cool-headed approach. Regardless of whether the news came from the office rumor mill or a payroll statement accidentally left on the photocopier, you should tread carefully. Going to your boss with financial concerns arising from confidential information or hearsay will do more harm than good. Instead of using another person's salary as the foundation for a personal plea, use the information as an impetus to examine your own pay and value in the employment market. Build your case by reviewing resources such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual Salary Guide from Robert Half International, salary sites like CBsalary.com, and salary surveys conducted by professional associations and trade publications in your industry. Also, before you get too worked up about a perceived disparity in pay, keep in mind that you may not be privy to all the details of your colleague's compensation arrangement. Moreover, he or she may have experience, skills, certifications or job duties you are unaware of that justify the higher salary. Q: I've been offered a position with a fantastic firm. I love all aspects of the job, and the organization seems to fit me perfectly. The only problem is the company's best offer is lower than I expected. I've already tried negotiating a higher salary and have had no luck. What else can I do? A: While the hiring manager could be constrained by a carved-in-stone budget or pay structure, he or she might be able to sweeten the pot through other means. Consider negotiating for additional vacation days, telecommuting options, flexible scheduling, a signing bonus, training opportunities, tuition reimbursement or other perks. You also might convince the firm to re-evaluate your salary after several months on the job if you meet predetermined goals. In addition, remember that base salary is just part of the compensation equation. For instance, while it won't be reflected in your paycheck, health benefits, stock grants, advancement opportunities or even an on-site daycare center can make up for lower pay. Q: A hiring manager offered me a position verbally. But when I received the formal written offer from the company's human resources department, the salary was below what we had agreed on. How should I resolve this? A: There are a variety of potential explanations. Obviously, the best scenario is that the person who drafted the document made a mistake. However, it's possible the written figure is correct, and the hiring manager hadn't gotten all of the firm's decision makers to sign off on the salary he or she discussed with you. Your best course of action is to act quickly. Hold off on signing the offer and contact the hiring manager about the discrepancy immediately. Be straightforward but nonaccusatory. Simply state the facts and ask for clarification. If the correct offer is the lower number, and you're still interested in the job, reopen the negotiations or request some of the perks mentioned above. If you get the sense that the employer knowingly used the wrong figure as a means of increasing your interest in the position, consider whether you really want to work for a company that employs such tactics. Q: I want a raise. When is the best time to ask for one? A: There is no magic date. Different organizations evaluate salaries at different times of the year. Let common sense dictate your timing. For example, if your company recently announced that profits are down, it's probably not the best time to hold out your hand. Your boss will be more open to discussing a salary boost if the business is flourishing or you just completed a successful project. Another key is making sure that whenever you deliver your pitch, you back up the request with hard data. Go into the meeting with knowledge of what the going rate is for someone with your skills and experience. In addition to arming yourself with outside research, quantify the value of your contributions to the company by showing how your biggest achievements impacted the firm's bottom line. If your boss rejects your request, ask for a roadmap outlining the steps you must take to reach your target salary. In general, the best way to bolster your case for higher compensation in any scenario is to take a tactful approach. While your boss or a hiring manager might not see eye to eye with you, don't let talks get so heated that you burn bridges. Some things -- like your professional reputation -- are more important than money. Robert Half International is the world's first and largest specialized staffing firm with a global network of more than 350 offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and New Zealand. For more information about our professional services, please visit www.rhi.com.
Story Filed Friday, October 30, 2009 - 2:38 PM
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