By Peter Kamuri
On Wednesday, Kenyan workers joined their counterparts across the world in celebrating their economic and social achievements and awaited word on salary increments. And President Uhuru Kenyatta did not disappoint – he raised the minimum wage by 14 per cent.
Agitating for higher pay is an inevitable practice among employees the world over. Everyone wants to earn more. So how can workers negotiate for pay hikes and achieve desirable results?
“The first thing you should do is to ask yourself why you deserve a salary increment. Some people will ask for it because they feel underpaid, so are you one of those people who are genuinely earning less?” asks Ken Opiyo, a career advisor.
By questioning your motives, you will know if you are being reasonable and realistic with your demands, making it easier to negotiate.
“It is critical that you evaluate whether you have made an invaluable contribution to the organisation or not. Ask yourself if you have met the set targets and objectives,” adds Opiyo.
Any good employer will reward you for work done, paying you what you are worth. Keep in mind that there is a difference between the value of the role you perform and your value as an individual.
Crafty
“Some workers are crafty when asking a pay rise. They request extra work and responsibilities, and use these to justify their demand for higher pay, leaving their employer with little option but to agree,” notes Opiyo.
Most organisations and companies have regular pay reviews. So getting a pay rise any other time can be difficult. But if you think you deserve it, it is worth a try. If the company does not agree to your request, ask to know why, and consider the reasons given carefully.
It is important to understand the company’s position properly and see what more you can do to address their reasons for refusing to increase your pay. When you approach the issue of pushing for a salary hike emotionally, you lower your chances of success.
