Pay Rise

Analysts commented we will be feeling the hit of inflation in 2008. We cannot help it but to feel our $10 last year is bigger than our $10 today. So our salary must increase to cover inflation. If not, it is like 'a wage reduction' for the same/more amount of work done. Agree with me? 钱不够用。So I am thinking how one can get a pay rise. I have in mind these few ways. You get a pay rise when you: 1: get promoted. 2: change employer. 3: threaten your boss. 4: get positive pay adjustment. 5: wait for the annual pay increment.

Through Promotion: In some places, getting promoted can mean $500 increment. Woa, that is quite substantial. Congratulations, if you get pay rise through promotion. At least your past performance has been recognised. Coming together with pay increment is work increment. So weigh your monetary gain against work gain.

Change Employer: If you change job, the increment may be limited. New company usually ask for your current pay slip for reference. Usually about $200 - $300 more??? Unless you are that few bright shining stars in your field of expertises who are being headhunted. Anyone with any hearsay figure for headhunted pay increment?

Threaten Your Boss: This method is not advisable if you think you are dispensable in your company. How this method works is, there are some who 'threaten' to leave the company for a better paying job. If you are worth it, our boss will counter offer you a higher wage. I heard some stories of this nature. They do work.

Positive Pay Adjustment: Some companies adjust their employees' salary to match the market rate to keep their employees. Civil servants had their pay adjustments last year. How I envy them. For me, it is like present from the sky. You do not get this everyday, you know.

Wait for Annual Increment: The easiest of the 5 ways is probably to wait for the annual increment. However, many companies have abolished/ will be abolishing time-based increment. Many have moved onto performance-based scale. Is it called the paradigm shift? For this shift, it is a form of encouragement for those who are new to the company. You may be told things like: "Your increment is based on your performance. Your pay rise can be as much as a veteran. There is no such things as a sleeping veteran getting more increment, while you slog your life away. This is a fair system." From what I see, this type of system is more like knowing where you stand in the eyes of your management. You, a newbie, do not have the comradeship that your management shared with the veterans, do you? Unless you really shine like the sun, your performance seldom get recognised that fast. If you perform as well as a veteran, your grade may not be as good as his. Afterall, management is still human. Their judgement cannot be totally impartial, right? I am also not a fan of the time-based increment scale. It has its cons like veterans (not all) not contributing as much as they should and the efforts of some individuals not being recognised. I think I am digressing. Back to the part on annual increment. My point is simple. Bosses, please let us have an increment that can offset the effects of inflation.

Dear bosses, please have a heart on us. Let us have an adequate pay rise for year 2008. Let's pray for it, my friends.