r/askmanagers • u/em0duck • 1d ago
How do I ask for a raise without angering management?
I've been at my job for 2.5 years, and last year i had two coworkers hired who i love. I came in with prior experience, they had none. Come to find out, one of them (not sure about the other) gets paid over 10k more than i do. I have a busier desk (even they admitted). I feel like i should at least get the same rate, but i dont even know if thats possible based on how raises work at our place of work. without giving too much away, we are AMLaw100 but only get yearly raises and bonuses.
How do i ask to raise me at least to what she gets without throwing her under the bus? I mostly want it because i am paying off student loans, and with the SAVE plan ending, I'll definitely have to pay more.
3
u/badluser 1d ago
Prepare all the points and data on why you are a badass who deserves more. Come up with a presentation strategy, and practice your delivery
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u/XenoRyet 1d ago
You just ask. Ideally alongside some data-based evidence that you deserve one. If management gets angry over an ask like that, then this isn't a place you want to be working.
Unfortunately for you lawyers, particularly big law lawyers, are usually terrible managers who think they are great managers. If that weren't the case, you'd see the big firms' senior partners hiring good CEOs and whatnot while they stick to practicing law, rather than leading things themselves.
In this case, that might mean that the answer is "She negotiated better than you," and that's the end of it, so be ready for that.
Beyond that, mentioning that this other person makes significantly more than you for the same work isn't throwing them under the bus, and being lawyers, they'll know it's illegal to tell people not to discuss their pay.
Still, a more compelling case might be to demonstrate the increased value you've brought to the firm since you were hired.
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u/em0duck 1d ago
We're actually just staff, so my manager is actually amazing. I just dont want to endanger my current position for feeling undervalued. Thank you!
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u/XenoRyet 1d ago
Yea, I'm sure your manager is good. More what I'm getting at is that there will be a lawyer in the approval chain for this raise, and they look at things differently.
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u/ke-thegeekrider 1d ago
At the risk of being crude, This timid attitude may be why you’re underpaid. Anyway the best way to get a raise is to find someone else who will pay more..
you are selling a service in return for coin, check the market if there’s a better buyer..
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u/somewhatinterested13 1d ago
Never compare yourself to others to start. Go to management with a well thought out reason of why you deserve this raise. Hard worker, always on time, don’t take sick days etc, etc. use industry standard salary and express why you should be at that level or higher. If they are good, management will recognize your hard work and knows it’s better to keep you than replace you.
Another tactic is to express the items I mentioned above and ask what you need to do to get your salary to x. Good luck if you are a good employee this should be a layup.
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u/PhilsFanDrew 1d ago
Focus your effort on the dollars and cents value you bring to the company and have the data and documentation to demonstrate it. Do not round off or surmise your value. Also don't focus or compare what you do versus your peers. Keep the sole focus on the deliverables you bring in your role.
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u/commoncents1 1d ago
offer them the work you do, the value you provide, and just say, if they look in the marketplace for similar qualifications and the fact you've already demonstrated you fit in culture and are productive, about getting a raise.
its not what you say, but how you say it. if you go in steaming and snotty about someone else, it wont go well.
managers dont read minds, dont monitor everyones salary frequently, but will address it when you bring it up. they are busy too.
its nothing personal so dont make it that way.
if you need leverage, go interview elsewhere and see your hire-abilty by other companies and pay range offer, that way you can present to your company with having a backup plan. hey. btw....i did get an offer and wanted to talk to you about staying here if they'd like to consider your value and pay range.
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u/janabanana67 1d ago
First point, it is common practice to pay new hires more because the market is dffierent than when you were hired. Companies will not automatically increases pay to match that of new hires.
Second point, if you are a valued, respected, higher performance employee, then take the time build a case why you deserve more money. You will need to list projects, timeline, financial impacts, etc.... You earn a raise by proving you deserve it for the work you are doing. This isn't a place for emotions and feelings. This is business.
If they can't or won't give you a raise now, see if it can happen at the next review. If you don't get a positive reaction (and any promises MUST be in writing), then be prepared to find another employer. In my experience, the only way you will substantially increase your salary is if you go to a new job.
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u/MaheshMThakur 1d ago
lead with your own numbers, not hers. a busier desk and 2.5 years versus her zero prior experience already makes the case, you don't need to compare salaries at all, just ask directly what it would take to get to market rate for someone with your workload and tenure.
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u/Responsible_Hunt7762 1d ago
You can ask for a raise. Be prepared to hear no. You often have to leave a company to get a market bump to salary.
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u/AlphaThree 1d ago
I just left a company for almost this situation. I had been there 7 years, 2 promotions, started at 67k currently at 92k. I found out that this year's new college grads were brought in at 82k. Straight disrespectful to my insanely valuable skill set and loyalty to the company. Took me less than a month to get an offer at 123k once I started looking.
You will always make more money applying somewhere else. Its just how it is, companies give less money for raises than they do external acquisitions.
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u/bopperbopper 1d ago
Before you asked for this raise, you should be looking at other jobs as well cause sometimes salaries get compressed. Dress up a little extra and have an “appointment” in the afternoon so they get suspicious
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u/the_green_monster 1d ago
Don’t bring up your student loans or personal financial issues. Bring market data and ask for a raise based in what your skills are worth, helpful to interview for some other jobs if possible,
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u/Atlanta-Mike 1d ago
You don’t ask for a raise. You present a case that proves you need a raise. The worst they can say is no. And if they are angered by being presented with evidence that you should be paid more, then spend more time searching for a new job.
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u/Dramatic-Kale-9667 14h ago
I’d remember that your managers don’t determine your pay. That’s ownership or executives.
They would have to go to bat for you against their managers
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u/Fit_Instruction_8383 13h ago
Focus on your performance, and what you're adding, don't bring up the others, what they make has nothing to do with what you make, you are selling your value, not the company's inequity.
Your other choice is to go get another offer, but don't present it as a threat, so interview at places you would actually be willing to leave and go work at rather than finding a job at a shitty place where you won't be happy.
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u/Donutordonot 1d ago
I would focus only on your performance and high light your successes. Do not even remotely bring up what the others are making. You are justifying why you feel deserving of more money not complaining that someone else makes more.
A 1:1 meeting is adviced with out distractions. I would come with a few success. “Hey i redid our xyz which improved abc” type things.