Tips to make a successful pay raise request: Common mistakes employees make leading to rejection

• Many employees sometimes wonder when the best time is to request a salary increase and how to make a successful ask.
• HR professional James Ogweno Odhiambo stated that salary requests should be made at the right time and supported by solid proof of employees' valuable contributions to the company.
• Ogweno pointed out several common mistakes that often lead to rejections, and provided a step-by-step approach to presenting a request that is much more likely to be accepted.

Muyela Roberto is a business journalist at .co.ke, boasting over 9 years of experience in digital media, providing in-depth analysis into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Requesting a pay raise can be a challenging task for many employees. With creeping inflation, increasing cost of living, and sometimes additional responsibilities on the job, it becomes unavoidable for workers to resist the urge to ask for a salary review.

Each year, numerous employees submit requests for salary increases, but not everyone is successful. The Kenyan government revises the minimum wage on Labor Day to address the needs of underpaid workers.

This leaves other workers in various pay categories at the mercy of their employers' strict budget constraints, with those possessing superior negotiation skills being more likely to obtain a wage increase.

I reached out to James Ogweno Odhiambo, a senior associate in the Human Resources field at PKF Consulting (K) Limited, to explore the factors that employees should take into consideration when requesting a salary increase.

There are several key elements involved in making a successful request to the company. These include timing the initiative correctly, providing evidence of the value it will add, and others. Odhiambo also noted that there are several common mistakes that employees frequently make, which can lead to their requests being rejected.

A group highlighted several key aspect for employees to increase their remuneration:

When deciding whether to approve or reject a salary increase, employers consider several key factors. Employee job performance, outdoor market salary ranges, the company's financial situation, the employee's value to the organization, and the length of time they have been with the company are all essential considerations.

Employee performance

This is generally the top consideration. Leading teams effectively, consistently achieving or surpassing targets, and generating quantifiable contributions are essential approaches to strengthen a salary request. Furthermore, employers evaluate industry standards and financial resources to guarantee salaries are commensurate with industry norms.

"The Employment Act of 2007 underscores the importance of fair treatment; however, decisions regarding salary reviews usually rely on internal timelines," stated Ogweno.

When is a suitable time to ask for a salary raise?

Timing has a significant impact on the success of salary reviews. As Odhiambo advises, employees should negotiate raises during annual performance reviews or, alternatively, when the company has experienced a notable quarter of outstanding performance.

"The timing of a salary review request is a critical factor, as it can greatly affect the outcome of the request. A company with impressive financial growth prospects is more likely to grant a salary increase, as it has the financial means to support its employees," Odhiambo observed.

He added that it is best for employees to refrain from submitting salary requests during periods of economic instability or cost reduction measures.

When constructing a case for a performance review, employees can enhance their argument by highlighting how their efforts align with the company's achievements, such as revenue expansion or the successful introduction of a product.

Preparing a Salary Review Request

Properly articulating a salary request can make a significant difference. Richard recommends starting the conversation with a summary of your achievements and linking personal development to the company's goals.

He emphasized the importance of highlighting quantifiable data like enhanced sales or successful undertakings.

He emphasized that employees should also suggest a detailed and data-supported salary figure, taking into consideration the company's current financial standing.

As stated in Kenya's Employment Act of 2007, which upholds fairness and transparency, this systematic approach reflects professional behavior and shows respect for both individual and company objectives.

6. **Not being flexible**: Being rigid and inflexible during the request process may lead to a dead-end situation. Show a willingness to listen and openly discuss possible alternatives.

"It was highlighted that employees often fall into common pitfalls when asking for a raise. Unfortunately, being unprepared, choosing the wrong time, or concentrating solely on personal financial needs rather than one's performance, can diminish the chances of a successful review.

He suggested, instead, that requests should focus on the contributions that led to the company's success. Being flexible and open to negotiation also increases the likelihood of a positive result.

"Being overly inflexible when proposing a figure can be a miscalculation. Employees should approach the conversation with flexibility and a willingness to engage in discussion, as this promotes a more positive and cooperative outcome," he added.

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