Want to ask for a pay rise but don’t know what to say? These 5 statements will make your next pay meeting impossible for your boss to brush off. Worker-focused, no fluff.
If you’ve ever sat through a pay meeting feeling powerless, you’re not alone. Most workers aren’t taught how to ask for a pay rise – and employers know it. That silence saves them money. But with the right words, you shift the balance of power.
This isn’t about being rude or aggressive – it’s about being sharp, prepared, and impossible to ignore. Here are 5 things to say in your next salary meeting that your boss won’t be able to dodge.
1. “Can you confirm the salary band for this role?”
Why it works:
This question turns your request into a fair, professional discussion – not a personal plea. If your employer uses structured pay bands (many do), they’ll need to explain where you sit and why. If they don’t, it exposes a lack of transparency in how pay is decided.
2. “Since my last review, I’ve taken on the following extra responsibilities…”
Why it works:
You’re not just working harder – you’re working at a higher level. Come in with proof: extra tasks, leadership responsibilities, project results. It’s not emotional. It’s evidence.
3. “What would need to happen for my salary to reflect the work I’m doing now?”
Why it works:
This puts the ball in their court. If they dodge, it’s clear they don’t have a plan. If they give specifics, you can hold them to it. It turns vague feedback into a clear roadmap.
4. “Can you put that in writing?”
Why it works:
If they offer future promises – promotion reviews, budget talks, vague timelines – you need it written down. If they back out, that tells you everything. This is a powerful move that shows you’re serious and not easily pacified.
5. “Is pay progression available to everyone, or just those who ask?”
Why it works:
This hits the system. It challenges whether fairness is baked into their culture, or whether only the pushy get rewarded. It forces them to reflect on bias, favouritism, and workplace inequality – without you having to say those words outright.
Final Thought:
Most people don’t ask for a pay rise because they’ve been trained to feel lucky just to have a job. But if you’re doing more, staying later, covering gaps, and your salary’s stayed the same – that’s not loyalty. That’s exploitation.
Your employer isn’t short on cash. They’re hoping you’re short on confidence. That changes now.
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Surviving Work | Employee Rights, HR Truths & Survival Tips 
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