Inflation and the increase in the cost of living really leave less money in our pockets. But what about your job? Does the compensation still feel fair? If you have faced a bump in liability, but no corresponding increase in compensation, this post advises you what to do.
Can my employer give me more responsibility without more pay?
Yes, legally your employer can increase your coverage without increasing your compensation. But that’s not the right thing to do. Employees should be fairly compensated for additional responsibilities because they usually require more effort and skill to do. It is usually called “Lateral career growth“And that includes swallowing wages.
Last year, the employers increased the salaries of the executives, the management, the professional staff and the support in 3% on average. This is after an average increase of 2.7% in 2021.
However, more responsibility may not always lead to higher pay. For example, you may not receive an immediate salary increase if you have taken on additional responsibilities:
In general, everyone’s situation is different. If you are concerned about your current workload, speak directly with your manager.
OK, but can I turn down more responsibility at work?
Yes, you have the right to refuse to take on additional responsibilities at work. But it is important to approach this situation carefully and professionally. If you’re refusing more responsibility because you don’t feel like you’re being adequately compensated for the work you’re already doing, try raising a fair wage. If you are put off by your skill set, talk about the possibility of getting additional training.
You can also give a flat “no”. But doing so may come with some consequences. Depending on your employment arrangements, your employer may be entitled to:
- take disciplinary action against you
- Offer a demotion
- transfer you to another division
The above is usually the case if you refuse to perform work that is within the scope of your duties. So it is always better to discuss matters with your boss and HR before making a hasty decision.
Right, how do I tell my boss that I have too many responsibilities?
It’s okay to feel overwhelmed at work. More than A third of all workers in the US Always or very often feel burnt out, in most cases – because of a high workload.
If you belong to this group, it is important to convey your experiences to your boss in a professional and constructive manner.
Here’s how to explain to your boss that you have too much responsibility:
- Review your job responsibilities and assess the workload you currently manage.
- Make a list of the tasks and projects you are responsible for, and prioritize them in order of importance and deadline.
- Set up a 1:1 meeting with your boss to discuss your concerns.
- During the meeting, clearly and concisely explain the reasons why you feel overwhelmed by your current responsibilities. Use your list of tasks and projects to provide specific examples of how your workload has become unmanageable.
- Make suggestions on how your responsibilities can be redistributed or streamlined to relieve some of the stress you feel. For example, you can offer to delegate certain tasks to other team members or acquire an additional technique to automate menial work.
- Be prepared to discuss the potential consequences of not addressing your workload concerns, such as decreased productivity, attrition, or even turnover. Emphasize the importance of finding a solution that benefits both you and the company.
- Listen to your boss’s feedback and be open to suggestions for addressing your workload concerns. Try to reach an agreed upon solution that allows you to continue doing your best work without feeling overwhelmed.
- Thank your boss for considering your concerns. Follow up as needed to ensure all agreed upon changes are implemented.
How do you ask for a raise when you get more responsibility?
To prove your case for getting a raise, make a list of all the extra tasks and projects you’ve taken out recently. Then make a list of your achievements and the added value you brought to the company as a result of these responsibilities. Then present this evidence as arguments for increasing your salary.
During the conversation with your manager, highlight the extra time and effort you’ve put into your work, and how your increased responsibility has made you a more valuable member of the team.
Finally, come up with an exact number for salary increment. It should be reasonable and commensurate with the compensation in the industry for those positions.
If your boss can’t offer you the raise you’re asking for, try to reach a compromise or alternative arrangement that recognizes the value of your work. For example, you can negotiate a performance or retention-based bonus, more flexible work hours, or another type of benefit you value.
Sample email for a salary increase request when more responsibilities are given
Peace [Boss],
As you probably know, I’ve taken on additional responsibilities over the past X months. Besides the standard workload, I also dealt with:
- [Extra task 1]
- [Extra task 2]
- [Extra task 3]
I am grateful for the opportunity to take on these responsibilities, and have enjoyed the challenges and learning opportunities they have provided. However, I believe that my increased workload and the added value I have brought to the company merits a corresponding increase in my salary.
I would be happy to continue discussing this topic with you at your convenience. Can you schedule a call b [time, date]?
sincerely,
[Your Name]
to conclude
More work requires higher pay. If you feel like you’re taking on more responsibility than ever before, talk to your boss about getting a raise. If a raise isn’t realistic right now, ask your employer to create a career development plan for you. Have an open conversation about your career goals. Do they see additional professional areas in which it is worthwhile to develop in order to receive a raise and promotion? Document all of these in your development plan to keep yourself and your employer accountable for your progress.
