ACTION items

HOW TO NEGOTIATE PAY RAISES

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Salary negotiations aren't just about money. They're also about recognition, respect, and retention. It's important that your top talent feel they can ask for a raise and that you'll consider the request in good faith. You don't need to say yes every time, but how you handle the conversation makes all the difference. Here's how to get it right and retain your top talent.

VALIDATE THE REQUEST

Salary talks are an important part of an employee's growth. If one asks for a raise, acknowledge the request with openness. Even if the answer is “not right now,” you need to show them that their request is being taken seriously.

GO BEYOND BUDGET

If you need to say no, explain why. Be transparent about timelines, budget constraints, or performance gaps. Ambiguity leads to resentment. Clarity builds trust.

HAVE A CLEAR PHILOSOPHY

What are your salary bands for specific jobs? How are raises earned? When these systems are murky or nonexistent, people fill in the blanks, and usually assume the worst. A transparent approach keeps emotion out of the conversation.

EQUIP MANAGERS

Most managers aren't trained on how to handle salary requests and often default to deflection. That’s a problem. Give them tools, talking points, and support from HR so they can handle these discussions with empathy and professionalism.

LOOK BEYOND THE NUMBER