What does a salary increase request look like and when should it be written?

Requesting a pay rise is one of the delicate actions you can take as an employee. It can be likened to walking a tightrope, because any wrong "move", literally or figuratively, can backfire. Thus, you have to choose the ideal timing and hope that your superior will understand and, above all, agree with the arguments you offer in your support. The "sensitive" part comes from the fact that, normally, it is not your job to evaluate yourself, but that of the one you have decided to address.

By reading the following article, you will learn, for starters, some tips to help you get the answer you want, and then we will provide you with a model salary increase request. First of all, you need to understand the purely subjective aspect of your approach: everyone believes that they work harder than their colleagues and deserve to be paid more. However, it is the manager or director who can make this analysis in a completely impartial way. From this point of view, we advise you that the reasons should be objective, such as: the last raise was 1-2 years ago or a personal situation that involves more expenses (for example, you will become / have become a parent etc.).

One of the worst possible approaches when asking for a pay rise is comparison. Specifically, your whole argument should be built on ideas such as "X earns twice as much as me", "Y works less and makes more money" or "Z got a raise and I didn't". Such an attitude is deeply uncollective, denotes envy and also undermines the authority of the person who, in the job description, should observe and sanction or, on the contrary, reward certain attitudes or behaviours.

Respect, attention to detail and strengths - essential in writing the application!

Here, below, is the model request for a promised salary increase:

"Mr/Mrs Director,

I, the undersigned ..., employee for ... months/years of the company ..., managed by you, request a meeting to discuss my salary package.

I consider that I am performing very well in all my professional duties, with excellent results since I have been employed on ....

Also, through the projects I have been involved in, I have managed to bring added value and profit to the company.

Throughout my ... years of experience, I have helped the ... achieve its objectives, including taking on a number of additional responsibilities.

I am very committed to my work and I am also ready to take on additional tasks to help me in my professional development.

I would like to send you this request because I would like to have my professional results evaluated and to continue this mutually beneficial collaboration.

In the hope of a positive response for evaluation, I am at your disposal at any time during working hours.

With kind regards,

Signature ...
Date ..."