Are You Being Paid Fairly At Work?

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You’ve probably been working loyally at this company for a while now. Perhaps, you’ve also been thinking of taking on additional duties too. But, are you all of a sudden wondering if you’re being paid fairly at work? Don’t worry. We’ll be sharing some useful tips that can help you figure out if you’re being compensated rightfully for your time, experience as well as skill set.

No matter how productive and efficient employees can be at work, everyone gets the jitters when it comes to asking for a salary increment. It’s natural. The need to work yourself up to the conversation with your superior can be nerve-wrecking.

And if a bump in salary is not possible, perhaps it’s now time to consider switching to a position that may offer a pay raise. In this article, we’ll be providing you with some useful tips that can help you reach your salary goals sooner than later!

Read on to find out some of the tips we have that can help you figure out what to do if you’re not being paid fairly at work!

A word of caution before we delve into the article: this written piece aims to function as a guide and should not be read as a comprehensive or exhaustive list of advice when it comes to ensuring that you’re being compensated for your work fairly. The best way to find out what may work for your success would be by conducting ample research.

Browsing through this article could function as the first step you take into exploring different ways as to how you can make sure that you are indeed being paid fairly at work.

Without further ado, let’s get right into the article!

What to do if you’re not being paid fairly at work

  1. Highlight a key achievement and ask politely
    So, what can you do if you’re not being paid fairly at work? Is there a good time to ask for a better pay? Will it ever come by? Of course, it will! But when exactly should you initiate this conversation so it works out favourably for you?

    Be sure to ask about being paid fairly right after achieving a key accomplishment that was directed through your efforts and from your own end. Most of the time, individuals who successfully manage to lock in a pay increment asked for one after hitting a successful work accomplishment.

    Do so especially, if you’ve spearheaded any project(s) that have worked out phenomenally. That would be the perfect time to ask!In order to clinch that salary increment though, you’d most likely need to prove that your hard work has been benefiting the organisation. Whether that’s through your ideas to improve the internal departments or whether it’s cheering your clients up, take note of timing!

    Be sure to avoid stressful work periods when asking for money matters too. You don’t want to step on your superior’s toes when they’re busy and focused on a different or complicated project.

    When everyone’s in a cheerier mood and is aware of your contributions to the company, that would make the perfect time for you to put in a request for a pay raise.

    That said, it’s also just as important to voice out your opinion on fair pay. If you’ve been putting in extra hours or going way out of your job scope to deliver projects, it’s definitely time to ask for a pay raise.

  2. Speak in person
    A mistake that many individuals tend to make when asking for fair pay at work: emailing or worse, texting your superiors about it.

    Don’t do that! You’re setting yourself for an easy ‘sorry, no/maybe/later’ response from your employers or hiring managers! Besides, setting the meeting in person will also express how serious you are about the matter at hand.

    Body language is also a key communication factor that you will be able to read and study when broaching the topic. This is a key benefit that can be better achieved if you hold the conversation in-person, rather than when you hold it over a phone call or video conversation.

    It is crucial that your request for a fair pay remains polite and humble. Your conversation should not come across as demanding by nature. That will automatically warrant a rejection of your request. Practice respect! It goes both ways, after all 😉

    Highlight your gratitude in being able to have served the company this far and express your keenness to continue doing so. Being polite and negotiating for a fair pay in person would definitely be the way to go!

  3. Don’t give them a number
    One of the best ways to ensure that you’re being paid fairly at work is by making sure that you don’t cite a figure for your employers or human resource manager to work around.

    Don’t give them a number as that will then set the bar. Instead, let them be the first to share a figure with you instead. If you are put in a position where you are being asked to share an approximate amount, block or bridge the question to a response relating to your responsibilities at the firm.

    Be clear that the amount may vary depending on how much extra responsibilities will be added to your existing workload. Right after mentioning that, be sure to mention how much workload you are also available and ready to take on.

    This will better allow your superiors to get a clearer idea of your expectations without actually having to spell it out for them! 😉


    In conclusion, there are numerous ways that you can tap on to help you chat about being paid fairly at work. If it’s been a while since your last salary increment, highlight the need to match your pay to your current responsibilities.

    Worst case scenario, maybe it’s time for you to bring your talents to another workspace where they’d be more willing to ensure that you’re being paid fairly! It’s entirely up to you.

    After all, each job will have its own perks and benefits to offer! With all that being said, we have to come to the end of this article. We hope this written piece has provided you with some insights as to what are some of the steps you can take to help you get a fair pay at work.

    We hope the above 3 pieces of advice on how to ensure that you’re being compensated fairly at work, is useful to you! And of course, while you’re at it, you can always hop around job sites to check out what positions are open too!

    In the meantime, if you’re on the lookout for fresh grad job opportunities or a side-hustle, visit GrabJobs.


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complementarity assessment framework

COMPLEMENTARITY ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK

With effect from 1 September 2023, all employers intending to hire foreigners on Employment Pass in Singapore are required to meet the new qualification known