[Tia Maria]

For those of you lucky enough to receive one how do they tend to decide them in NZ?

Is it the culture to give a certain percentage each year - if so how much? Or do they tend to be more performance based? Or does it vary greatly?

Cheers

Tia

[jubjub]

Just asked hubby, IT bod, from the last couple of years he has basically asked for payrises rather than been offered a percentage. There are also annual reviews that do happen, but they have not tended to be a set % for everyone.

Guess it depends on the emplyment field....

[kanatakiwi]

My OH worked in a law firm and he was told when he was hired when his pay rise would be but not how much.

[Tia Maria]

Thanks jubjub - how does your OH decide how much to ask for and when to ask for it? PM me if you prefer.

My OH is also in IT also and got a set percentage at his first pay review but as he'd only been there a short while so that wasn't surprising.

Not sure what's going to happen this time, and if it is below expectations I'm not sure how negotiable it is.

Cheers

Tia

[KerryS]

I'm in IT, and when I was employed (as opposed to contracting) I asked for a payrise each year at my review - normally a percentage or a set amount.
I based this on the current IT market prices and my increased contribution to the company.
We also got an annual bonus based on our individual performance, and that of the team and company.

[jubjub]

Similar to Kerry, check out the market rates for the particular field he is in, and base any requests on that. If he is very good at his job, or has a particular specialism they need, don't be scared to add a premium on for that too. They can only say no, or give him a bit less that he requested, which may or may not be more than they were going to offer him anyway...

Can also be quite handy if any of his colleagues are willing to talk $$ with him, so he knows what he is getting compared to the rest of the team. (although if he finds out he is on way less, it could be a bit demoralising!)

Another way to get an idea of what is available $$ wise is to talk to a couple of employment agencies.

[The Hodges]

Just to reiterate, the more information that you can get before you ask the better.

I got a pay rise after three months, after I made some noises that now I'd complied with my visa requirement, I could go anywhere...

But, I asked a colleague what he was on after about three months, and it turned out that we're on about the same, although he has a bonus payment, which I have yet to be put on to. My bosses tell me I will be going on a similar scheme six months after I started, which should be next month... :D

However, more recently, I checked out trademe and found a job that I went for an interview for. Afterall, I need to check what's out there. The guy offered me less than I am currently on and on a promise to review it after a period of time. Well this, and some other things, didn't suit me, so I did turn the offer down, but I've made a new contact, and I know what the market has to offer. He has subsequently tried to offer me more...:roll

However, my piece of advice to anyone that is in employment is that a company will pay you little enough so your slightly unhappy, but not unhappy enough to go elsewhere. And is ignorance bliss? Probably, but when you find out, it makes you mad if what you've been getting and what you ought to have been paid adds up to a fair chunk...

Good luck though.

ps I should say, I hope that my current bosses don't read this. :uhoh

[Mike & Nicola]

Hi Tia, hows it going? I'd say this is very dependent on your employer and how you are at your job. From what i've seen/heard the standard is 4-5% and you can argue for anything above that dependent on performance.

Mike

[neilw71]

It also depends on the size of the company. Eg Fletchers have a well published process to be followed annually by Managers to review salary. Standard is a 3-4% increase across the board unless a higher increase is argued for by your Manager. I was lucky last year and got 13% - but that was earned as I am doing a different job to the one originally started. Now I have fingers crossed for a promotion this year with associated rise as well.

Neil

[Tia Maria]

Thanks for all your replies.

After he had been at the company a few months they did a pay review and he got 2.5 %, the following year he got 10%. But everyone else is quite tight lipped about what they got.

It still falls far short of what he was on in the UK.

Cheers

Tia

PS Mike, took a while to sink in who you were .......... until I spotted the photo!