Are you being paid what you deserve?
There’s nothing worse than slaving your guts out all year at a job, only to realise that the person in the business across the road has been doing exactly the same thing except for ten dollars extra an hour.
It’s easy if you’re not sure what wage other people of your grade are earning, or if you’ve stayed in an organisation for a couple of years without getting a raise over the CPI despite taking on extra responsibilities.
So how can you ensure you’re being paid the right amount for the work you’re doing?
Prepare
Don’t walk into a job interview without knowing what the standard rate of pay for the job description is. You can get this from Seek, but ask the people around you as well. Understand what is important for you when you accept the job- is it super contributions, protected benefits, or having a higher casual rate of pay?
Speak up
If you think the amount being offered is unreasonable, then ask for some extra money. It’s tough to do, but important to assert yourself so you don’t spend the next couple of years working for a pittance. Employers will respect your independence.
Ask questions
Know exactly what you’re being offered. When they say $40 000 a year, is super on top of that amount or included.
Ask what benefits are part of the deal- annual leave, sick leave, carer’s leave are all important and can supplement your actual salary. Ask about bonus arrangements or commissions.
Keep tabs on your wage
If your job description changes as the years progress, you pay rate should do so also. If you came in working in admin, but have ended up being a marketing person, you should be paid as such. This can be more of a problem in smaller organizations where promotion and bonus structures are more ad hoc and you’re more likely to take on a new role without actually being acknowledged officially or financially in that position. It’s best to be upfront with your employer in that situation.
Count the hours
If the work needs to be done, it’s not unusual that you’ll be staying behind to do it. While that is in no way a rarity in Australia, your overtime work should be recognized. If you’re on an hourly wage or have an overtime arrangement, then that should be fine. If you’re putting in eighty hour weeks just to keep your head above water, you might want to think about changing your situation so you benefit more financially or cut back on the hours.
Get comradely
It’s not fashionable these days, but union membership can be your strongest tool in a workplace. A union will protest for higher rates of pay for occupations, provide legal counsel and protection should you have an issue in the workplace and negotiate group contracts that include greater protections and benefits.
The most important thing is to know your rights as an employee. Understand what the award rate is for your job, and ensure that you’re being paid accordingly. If you’re being paid at a permanent part-time level, make sure you’re getting the benefits that go with that.
No one likes talking about money, certainly not in your workplace, but communication with your employer is important and can avert a potentially tense situation early on.
How do you negotiate your wage with your employer?
Related Posts
