There is much to consider before you begin or invite a conversation around your salary, but where do you start?
Many people find talking about money to be an uncomfortable experience. In the workplace that sense of discomfort can be magnified, as, if approached poorly, it can come across as unprofessional, or even land you in hot water with colleagues and management.
That being said, it can be important to raise the topic in the workplace, not just to know where you stand but also to ensure that you and your co-workers are on an even playing field, being well compensated for your efforts. So, how can you bring about the conversation without alienating your place of work?
Know your worth
Every job is going to pay differently and often that pay will go up or down depending on your education, level of experience and job title. So before you begin a conversation around pay and the direction you think it should be going in, make sure you have an up-to-date example of what the current market value for your role actually is.
Knowledge is power and it helps to go into every important conversation with the facts at your back. So, if you do decide to speak candidly with your co-workers about what you are being paid, or if you mean to enquire with them to ensure that your pay is fair, make sure that the expectations you have are reasonable.
In that vein, be selective about the people you decide to speak with. Even though you are broaching the subject with the expectation of discretion, that doesn’t mean that that is what will happen. Basically, don’t reveal private information to people you don’t 100pc trust. The point of the conversation should be to give or glean information, so everyone involved should have something to positively contribute.
Calm, cool and collected
There are many conversations that could spark an argument in the workplace and the pay scale is definitely one of them. Take for example if a co-worker on the same level as you discovers that they are being paid less, it might result in jealousy and a conversation with a manager that could inadvertently throw you under the bus, especially if there is a company-wide policy that deters money talk.
Additionally, if you are the person that is getting the short end of the stick, it could lead to feelings of resentment, a dip in the quality of your work or even arguments with others, if you mismanage your own emotions.
So, once you are calm, cool, collected and in a position to make your feelings or the information you have known, make sure to handle the conversation with respect and care. Try to focus on the topic at hand and avoid making personal comments or comparisons.
Toe the line
While in Ireland and many other countries, there is no law against discussing your pay with your colleagues, some organisations have policies that work to discourage it. So make sure that you don’t put yourself in a position that could potentially harm your work status.
You have every right to discuss and dispute how much you are earning, but make sure you do so in a way that keeps the ball firmly in your own court. For example, if the conversation leads to arguments or a distracted workforce then that can be seen as contributing to workplace disruption, which may be an offence.
That doesn’t mean that the topic is taboo or off limits, simply that it has to be dealt with in a mature and professional way that encourages openness and understanding. This is best achieved by outlining your own goals and ensuring that they, while still driving your motivations, are in line with what the company has put forth in terms of policy.
At the end of the day, talking about money is difficult, but starting the conversation, in the right setting and in the right way, is probably the hardest part. You are the best advocate you could ever hope for, so why not do a bit of research, draw up a plan, gather the information you need and if the situation warrants it, begin the conversation.
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