Most social care workers afraid to ask for a pay rise

More than half of social care professionals don’t know how to ask their employer for a pay rise, new research shows.

A survey of 1,200 British professionals found that 59.5% of social care workers are fearful of bringing up the subject of pay with their bosses, while 51.4% have never even negotiated on parts of a job offer.

The study, conducted by independent job board CV-Library, also found that 54.8% of social care workers have not received a pay rise in the last 12-18 months and of those who did, four in 10 (42.9%) received a minimal increase of 2%.

What’s more, social care is ranked number one in a table of ten sectors in the UK where Brits are least likely to negotiate on salary. Hospitality is ranked second, followed by catering, manufacturing, retail and education.

Lee Biggins, founder and CEO of CV-Library, said: “Our survey highlights that a natural fear around bringing up the subject of pay is holding many social care professionals back in their careers. Being able to negotiate a pay rise will not only bring you financial reward, but the sense of achievement and increased morale in the workplace.

“If you do feel nervous about discussing your pay with your boss, I’d advise doing your research before approaching them. Find out what other employers are offering for similar positions, or even what your own employer’s range is for new hires. Determining your worth is the first step towards knowing how to ask for a pay rise.”

In spite of uncertainty in the jobs market as a result of Brexit negotiations, salaries for new social care jobs have risen by a steady 1.2% since last year, according to CV-Library. This suggests that candidates who don’t know how to ask for a pay rise could be missing out on the chance to improve their job offer.

Lee continued: “In the current UK job market, it’s important to be aware of your worth. With Brexit imminent and unemployment being at its lowest in fifty years, businesses are desperate to not only attract top talent, but hold on to the employees that they’ve got. So, if you’re after a pay rise, now’s the time to start negotiations.”