Negotiating salary weighting

Question

Firstly, forgive me if this has already been posted but I looked and couldn't find anything specifically about salary weighting, If so ill remove.

I recently relocated to a new city in the same job (I just moved to a different office) where it is considerably more expensive to live. My company agreed to pay me a weighting for my role based on my new city vs my old one. This move was was discussed very early in the interview process (with 5 directors of the company) and I was offered the right support and permission to do it.

My employer and I agreed how I'd to go about the move was to let my LM and Head of Department know that I was looking for a house (as I said they knew about it anyway, it was just a matter of when), which was acknowledged at the time. Then to tell them when we have one to move into, again this was agreed at the time. This then gave my employer a 2 month definitive deadline of my intentions to move, as well as a start date in the new office and the chance for them to work out the HR related admin and salary. All of this was discussed through various means, chats, messages and emails and agreed. So when I found a place I notified them about it to get the ball rolling.

I spotted a figure in our HR software one day before I was told in any capacity what it would be so I approached my Head of Department about it. The figure my HoD gave me (same as in the HR software), in a "quick chat", I profoundly disagree with but they say there is no wiggle room and that its final, despite my attempt to negotiate when presenting research that I had done, I got a flat "No".

I had done research knowing this chat would happen eventually. I had looked at various things, salary surveys, similar job specs, recruiter polls, glassdoor, asking a few friends I know who have done the same thing.

There are a couple of factors to bear in mind: 1. There salary range for my role in the industry is broad, so broad that its difficult to pin down where I sit. 2. My company tell me im at the top of my banding. 3. The research I have got suggests it should be more. 4. I really like the job and place I work, this just casts a negative light on it.

In around 1-2 weeks I have my appraisal and I have a feeling that this will be brought up as it will be the official platform that they will have to tell me about the increase in the presence of HR.

My question(s) is:

1. How do I respond to them asking if im happy with it or want to discuss the topic?

2. Is there any advice on what to do?

Answer 1

Given the fact that the paycheck revision (weighting, as you said) was agreed upon, but no fixed (or minimum) amount was promised, the organization is free to choose the amount thy are willing to offer.

You are also free to either accept the revision and continue, or find a new job where your expectations are met.

You need to take your call: Whether to continue with the current salary or find a new job.

In around 1-2 weeks I have my appraisal and I have a feeling that this will be brought up as it will be the official platform that they will have to tell me about the increase in the presence of HR.

Put forward your expectations. Do not go into details of your research and how much you "should be" getting: express your expectations from the point of view of your contribution and value addition to the organization.

• If they match it (agree to revise the revision), very good.
• Otherwise, brush up your resume and look for opportunities elsewhere to have your expectations matched.

Reality is: no matter how much you love the job / work, if you're not happy with the benefits, you're not going to stay satisfied / focused for long.

Answer 2

This is a "lesson" for you. Next time you have to ask more questions and politely insist on writing all agreements on "paper" before moving on. You may think that this will be considered strange by your boss or HR. Maybe, but at least you'll be safe. When it comes to money, don't joke with it.

Just like you said, the salary weighting is very unclear. I would negotiate real numbers such as +10k salary raise or at least from +5k to +15k raise.

How to handle the situation?

1. Try to explain your problem and clarify it. For example, you gave me +2,000 raises, but it's too low for this expensive city. My living expenses have risen by 20%, but you only gave me a raise of 10%. Your employer must clearly understand why you are not satisfied with the current raise.
2. polish your resume and find other opportunities.