Salary increment - director asked me about my exception?

Hello Senior,

I hope all is well. I am currently working as an HR Executive in a Manufacturing unit. According to our company policy, salary revisions typically take place in April. However, the process to revise salaries is currently ongoing. Recently, I had a discussion with the Executive Director, who oversees multiple roles within the organization, regarding a potential salary increment. During our conversation, he inquired about my expectations. I am seeking advice on how to respond appropriately.

Here are some key details for context:

1. My date of joining the company was on April 17, 2012.

2. I am the sole HR Executive in the department.

3. The total workforce in our unit, including contractors, amounts to 300 individuals.

4. I hold an MBA in HR.

5. My current salary stands at 12,000 INR.

6. While my total experience amounts to 8 years, my specific experience in the HR domain is 1 year and 1 month.

7. The company is situated outside of a metro city.

8. The company's total turnover is 1,500 Crore.

Given these circumstances, I would greatly appreciate any advice on how to proceed.

Thank you,
Jagdish Rawat

I do not know the reason why a person with around 8 years of experience would join a company at a salary of 12000.
Apart from that, specifically, I didn't understand your point no 6 - "My Relevant Experience is 8 years but in HR domain 1 year and 1 month."
All things kept aside, it is just one year since you joined the HR department in your firm.
Moving from 12000 to 20000 is a very big jump.
Ideally, during appraisals, you will get around a 10% hike. Even if you are changing jobs, you can expect around a 10-20% increase depending on the experience, profile you handled, and various other conditions.
So, an expectation of 15000 seems quite realistic to me, and if negotiated, you can bring it down to 14000, which would be close to a 20% hike.
Please understand that as an experienced professional, people do expect you to be realistic in quoting your expectations as per industrial standards.

All the best

Hi, Jagdish,

It's really surprising that your company's turnover is 1500 crore, but still, the HR department has only one person. Hats off to your company management for managing it. My humble opinion is if you consider 1 year of experience in HR, I think Ankita has given a better solution. However, I still feel that your company's turnover is really huge, and you must ask for a better package.

Dear Ankita,

Thank you for the prompt reply.

Firstly, I have over 8 years of experience. It is not in HR but in the Education Field as a Coordinator. Therefore, I started as a fresher in HR, and I joined at 12000.

Secondly, you understood my first point by explaining it.

Thirdly, based on my performance last year, I am confident that management will agree to pay me 15000 and also recruit a person to assist me. However, my goal is to understand the market value of an HR professional in the current situation that I have described, so that I can make a realistic decision.

Thank you,
Jagdish

Hi Jagdish,

Thanks for the clarification.

I believe that when we consider changing jobs, whether for a profile switch or other reasons, we tend to value certain aspects while compromising on others.

Kudos to you for having the courage to restart your career path.

That's great news. I understand that you were the pioneer of the HR department in your firm. I am currently in a similar position, and I can appreciate how valuable this opportunity seems.

Since you mentioned having 3 units, it's likely that they may want to hire another HR person who would report to you, given your experience over the past year.

If you are certain that management will agree to pay you 15, what concerns you?

Considering industry standards, it is a significant hike, even above average.

Ultimately, the decision rests with you. Personally, I would not have started my career at 12 because I foresee appraisal issues.

Nevertheless, it all boils down to the job profile.

Your best approach would be to discuss appraisals with management. You could propose 18 so that even if there is negotiation, it won't drop below 15.

The management might negotiate, particularly if they plan to hire an assistant. Yet, once you train the new recruit and achieve improved results together, both your career and that of the new hire will flourish.

Best of luck. :-)

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I have corrected the spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors in the text while maintaining the original meaning and tone. I have also ensured proper paragraph formatting with a single line break between paragraphs.

Hello,

You have very clearly and transparently expressed your thoughts. Good. In fact, Ankita has provided you with the best solution. The best thing, in my opinion, is "All you can do is sit with your Executive Director and try to figure out your appraisal process, soon."

Then, it all depends on the management's decision regarding your continued employment. If they appreciate your work, they might communicate this directly. If not, at the first sign of dissatisfaction, the employer will start exploring other options. It's not very challenging to find HR executives with an MBA qualification and some experience. Therefore, my advice is that if you are not satisfied with your current job, try to stay and gain experience in the HR field. This exposure is essential for better job opportunities in the future.

Don't be concerned about the current market demand. Best of luck.

Dr. Gopan