When it comes to asking for a pay rise, research suggests women could be doing better.
For women especially, money can be a bit of a dirty word that isn’t usually brought up in polite conversation. Even so, it’s a topic that must be addressed, especially when starting a new job or if you’re already working but feel like you’re worth more. According to the Canadian women organization, the gender pay gap is a widely recognized indicator of women’s economic inequality, and it exists across industries and professional levels. A 2015 UN Human Rights report raised concerns about “the persisting inequalities between women and men” in Canada, including the “high level of the pay gap” and its disproportionate effect on low-income women, racialized women, and Indigenous women. One factor that contributes to this problem is that women are less likely than men to request a raise or negotiate a higher starting salary. Canada is ranked as having the 8th highest gender pay gap out of a list of 43 countries examined by the OECD, based on 2016 data. Note that Canada is ranked after the European Union, which is listed as a single country, but includes 28 countries.
4 quick tips when asking your employer for a pay rise
- Bring documentation: Understand what your job type is paying outside your organization.
- Quantify your accomplishments: Present a clear business case for your pay rise. Identify what value (skills and experience) you’re bringing to the business and how you’re helping the profitability of the business.
- Specify an amount: On average, people who are specific receive a greater increase in compensation. Put a number on your desired/deserved salary or raise.
- Show improvement: Use feedback given about your work to show improvement. Start by implementing their suggestions and enhance your skills, then follow up and prepare to make a case to ask for your raise.
What other benefits your employer might offer
If your employer is unable to offer you a pay rise, it’s a good idea to work through in advance what else you might accept. Other options include additional contributions to superannuation, extra annual leave, development training, and linking a bonus to future sales targets.
It’s also important to know what you won’t accept in lieu of a pay rise. SEEK research advises employers that if a company doesn’t have the funds for a pay rise, then flexible work arrangements are a good alternative. The study found flexible work, such as working from home, was more likely to appeal to females than males, at 29% compared to 14%.
But flexible work won’t suit everyone, particularly if what you’re really looking for is additional money to build your wealth.
Anna Thukral is the founder of Hear Her Stories and the author of this article. This article represents the views of the author only and does not necessarily reflect the views of Hear Her Stories. The Instagram post on this topic has been created and designed by Sydnie Li Causi. Sydnie is a contributor at Hear Her Stories.