Rate Increase Advice

[LondonManc]

If the discussions were with the client, then it's a 1% increase to the agency and contractor. I agree, though, you're highly unlikely to squeeze that 8%, unless the rate is incredibly high.

Fair enough. I'd personally see if permies are getting payrises first. While it's not your direct issue, there's the obvious fact that if, as a perm, you're seeing scumbag contractors getting rate increases
when you've been told there's no money, it could get awkward. All comes down to relationship management.

[vadhert]

Rocking the boat for 1 measly percent.

Are you:


A) mad
B) stupid
C) or both

[psychocandy]

OP. You have found out that, in a lot of cases, the rate you start on is the rate until the year 2099 as far as the client is concerned.

Chances are there was lot of budgets sorted to get an expensive resource in there in the first place. So these budgets are now not going to get increased EVER.

Inflation excuse - NO chance at all. Remember they might be giving the permies no pay rise so they aren't going to feel sorry about this.

Agency on 8% cut - NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS will you get anything out of this. Even if you leave, agency will just get someone else in on at least 8%. They wont care if it causes hassle to the end client.

One thing to remember. Even if you do walk and client believes you will you still may end up walking. You might be the best, most important contractor in the organisation and the whole thing might fall apart at the local level if you leave, but, even if the local client manager begs, there may well be a bean counter a few levels above at client co who will just say "no rises no exceptions" and that'll be the end of it.

Tried it at my client co. (although I did go 10%). Even with a role change they still wouldnt budge (someone higher up was the excuse).

This time around I have made some progress on WFH considerations (previously they were unkeen). Maybe something like that for you?

To be honest, for me, being able to WFH now and again will make a huge difference for me. Worth 5%-10% rise if you ask me.

[Old Greg]

OP. You have found out that, in a lot of cases, the rate you start on is the rate until the year 2099 as far as the client is concerned.

Chances are there was lot of budgets sorted to get an expensive resource in there in the first place. So these budgets are now not going to get increased EVER.

Inflation excuse - NO chance at all. Remember they might be giving the permies no pay rise so they aren't going to feel sorry about this.

Agency on 8% cut - NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS will you get anything out of this. Even if you leave, agency will just get someone else in on at least 8%. They wont care if it causes hassle to the end client.

One thing to remember. Even if you do walk and client believes you will you still may end up walking. You might be the best, most important contractor in the organisation and the whole thing might fall apart at the local level if you leave, but, even if the local client manager begs, there may well be a bean counter a few levels above at client co who will just say "no rises no exceptions" and that'll be the end of it.

Tried it at my client co. (although I did go 10%). Even with a role change they still wouldnt budge (someone higher up was the excuse).

This time around I have made some progress on WFH considerations (previously they were unkeen). Maybe something like that for you?

To be honest, for me, being able to WFH now and again will make a huge difference for me. Worth 5%-10% rise if you ask me.

Or you could get a 10% rise and take every eleventh day off.

[psychocandy]

Rocking the boat for 1 measly percent.

Are you:


A) mad
B) stupid
C) or both

I disagree with the "rocking the boat" comment. Its business. As long as its done professionally then why would client take offence and deem it as "rocking the boat". You ask they say yes or no - as long as you're not a tit about it....

Then again, 1% is not worth bothering with I will agree.

[Old Greg]

I disagree with the "rocking the boat" comment. Its business. As long as its done professionally then why would client take offence and deem it as "rocking the boat". You ask they say yes or no - as long as you're not a tit about it....

Then again, 1% is not worth bothering with I will agree.

The thing is PC, there is no way of appearing professional when asking for a 1% increase.

[vadhert]

I disagree with the "rocking the boat" comment. Its business. As long as its done professionally then why would client take offence and deem it as "rocking the boat". You ask they say yes or no - as long as you're not a tit about it....

Then again, 1% is not worth bothering with I will agree.

Asking for a 1% increase because of inflation doesn't seem professional in the slightest.

[WTFH]

Rate Increase Advice

1% is not worth it - whether you are on £100 per hour or £100 per day. If 1% is what you want, then ask for 5%, but still, I wouldn't want 1% increase. The hassle to get it is not worth the difference it would make to my life.

And never, never ask for an increase because of inflation!

[stek]

Back in the day used to automatic rate rises on extension, that was the nineties mind

[Old Greg]

Back in the day used to automatic rate rises on extension, that was the nineties mind

Were you developing their contract management system?