How to justify a pay increase?

[bobspud]

Yeah, well. It really annoys me that people start contracting, earn twice as much and immediately up their spending to the new income.

Why do they think it is that contractors get paid twice as much?

tim

I thought it was to feed my obsession for sports cars and nice toys...

[Board Game Geek]

The problem is, as my wife gave birth a month ago, I could use a little extra as I generally base my rates on current needs

Surely you should base your rates on the Business Needs of the Client.

Not your own, personal family needs ?

What has that got to do with the Client ?

Unless of course, they were responsible for your wife's conception.

Other than that, you are seriously going to ask for a pay rise because you got your wife up the duff and need a bit extra for the baaaaybeee ?

[Turion]

I could use a little extra as I generally base my rates on current needs. As my workload hasn't changed how do I ask for an increase to my hourly rate?

So would you charge £25/day if that was your current spending needs, regardless of the going rate.

First, get real, look at your market rate and worth to the client and if more than current rate, AND you are prepared to walk, politely demand increase at renewal.

PS: Having Babies has got f-all to do with your rate.

[realityhack]

So would you charge £25/day if that was your current spending needs, regardless of the going rate.

First, get real, look at your market rate and worth to the client and if more than current rate, AND you are prepared to walk, politely demand increase at renewal.

PS: Having Babies has got f-all to do with your rate.

Harsh, but spot on.

[thunderlizard]

Unless your client's decision-maker has a soft spot for babies. Businesses like to think they are cold and rational but few of them really are.

[threaded]

Unless your client's decision-maker has a soft spot for babies. Businesses like to think they are cold and rational but few of them really are.

WHS

Cold and rational are not traits of any business I've ever experienced.

[BolshieBastard]

Never ceases to amaze me when people become contractors that some still retain the 'permie' mindset. You know, the pay rise every 12 months, the 9 - 5 work regime, the 4 weeks or more 'bookrd' holidays etc, etc.

I can sympathise with the OP but surely it was posted tongue in cheek!? I mean a pay rise in the current climate (not impossible but very rare). And needing extra income because of family!? Hmmmmmmmmm!

[ace00]

In my experience you have to get another higher paying contract offer, then tell agent to up your rate or F.O.
Any more subtle approach is usually doomed to failure depending on skills, market conditions of course.

[Rookie]

Isn't this obvious?

Surely the market dictates the rate (to a point). If your skills are in demand then that's great. If on the other hand there is oversupply then clients will have a larger pool to pick from and can force rates down. In this current climate I'd say that there will be an oversupply of most skills.

Good luck with the rate increase.

[Another Dodgy Agent]

Never ceases to amaze me when people become contractors that some still retain the 'permie' mindset. You know, the pay rise every 12 months, the 9 - 5 work regime, the 4 weeks or more 'bookrd' holidays etc, etc.

I can sympathise with the OP but surely it was posted tongue in cheek!? I mean a pay rise in the current climate (not impossible but very rare). And needing extra income because of family!? Hmmmmmmmmm!

Next thing you know they'll be 'opting in'!