How to Request a Salary Increment in UAE? Top Negotiation Tips 2024!

It is a crucial career move to negotiate a salary increase. Most of the time the employees hesitate to demand it. However, employees are now more concerned about their value. Due to the rising cost of living. For them, now it’s a necessity to ask for a suitable pay raise.

In this blog, we provide deep insights on how you can request an increment. The information we provide is taken from recruitment experts. Also, we will share some tips and tricks that can help you to boost your chances of success!

So, without wasting a minute, let’s get started! 

Considerations On Requesting a Pay Raise in UAE

In this section, we discuss some key considerations that must be taken into account before requesting a salary increment. It includes:

Decide on the Amount: 

In UAE, organizations are planning for more significant compensations during their yearly compensation audits. The increments range from two percent to six percent. Know about the market. It relies upon your industry, specialization, and the competitiveness of your work market. You might try and have the option to demand more than the standard increment.

Do Your Homework:

You must do your homework that is to gather data about the typical salary range for your role. Figure out what different organizations in your industry offer employees at your level. Incorporate this information to develop a convincing case.

Understand the Salary Trends

Meticulous preparation is vital before you make the salary increment request. You need to research the industry salary standards. To meet your needs, must look up the cost of living in the UAE.

In addition to this, search salary trends in your sector. This helps you to demand salary increments accordingly. To address your worth to your employer, document your performance and contributions. You can add more value by highlighting your achievements

Right Time Selection

On requesting a salary raise, timing is crucial. You should know the right time when to ask. Request a salary increment when the company is in a stable or growing phase. You should choose a moment when your performance has been exceptional. It may happen after a significant accomplishment that you achieved recently or any positive review

Meeting with Supervisor

This is a very important phase to set up a formal meeting with your supervisor or manager. You should email them in a polite and concise way to address your salary raise request. To make the things crystal clear, you should be clear about the meeting's purpose. Try to be respectful of the schedule of your supervisor.

Talk about Your Achievements

To show your worth to your organization. It is essential to discuss your contributions to them. You should tell them about your achievements. By doing so, will illustrate your value.

Discuss Market Data

By discussing the market data, you back your request with solid market data. Present a proposed increment that is in line with industry standards. Also, it should meet the cost of living in the UAE. As an employee, justify your request. At this point, show you've done your homework!

Follow Professionalism

To convince your employer in negotiation, you should maintain respectful behavior. You should avoid making demands. Never give ultimatums or try to forcefully convince them. Other than that, you should frame your request as a normal discussion

Be Flexible in the Conversation

We understand that as an employee in UAE, you might have a specific figure in mind. It is advisable to be open to negotiation. There is a chance that your employer may have budget constraints. Maybe they have other factors to consider.

You should be flexible and open to compromise can make the negotiation more productive and friendly

Choosing Non-Monetary Benefits

If your employer accommodates your salary increment request. You should inquire about non-monetary benefits. This may include paid time off, professional development opportunities, other perks, etc.

Follow Up through Email

It has a great impact on sending a follow-up email when the meeting ends. In the follow-up email, summarise the discussion and the agreed-upon actions. Must include the record of an offer made during the negotiation.

Maintain Professionalism

Regardless of the outcome of the negotiation meeting, maintain professionalism throughout. As a good employee, you should continue to perform your duties with dedication. A salary increment negotiation should not affect your work ethic. No matter what outcome you receive. It should not influence the relationships you have at your workplace.

Negotiating a Salary Increment: Dos and Don'ts

A good employee should follow etiquette when requesting a pay raise. Here are some things to do and avoid when negotiating a salary raise:

The Do’s List:

·       You should present a compelling case based on your achievements

·       Present and highlight your daily responsibilities

·       Reminding your employer about your contributions to the company

The Don't List:

·       You should avoid referencing a colleague's raise. It gives them a reason to ignore your request

·       Be selective in using words. Do not use another job offer to negotiate

·       Do not use harsh language. Avoid using negative remarks when facing rejection on salary increment

Negotiate Beyond the Initial Offer

When negotiating, be open as requesting salary increases isn't about secrets. The more you show your value the higher the chances. It is all about presenting your value. You should provide examples of how a higher salary will motivate you. Along with that, it brings added value to the business. Additionally, in the current job market, you have a chance to ask more!

Best time to Request a Pay rise

Timing plays a crucial role when requesting a salary raise. The Ideal times are during your annual performance review. You can also negotiate after receiving a job offer. To avoid bad timings, you should never ask at the time of financial difficulty for the company. The busy period for organizations is also a bad idea to ask for a pay raise

Deal with the Salary Increment Rejection

Don’t get devastated if your pay raise request is rejected. You must have a plan B in place. The companies may not always be in a position to increase salaries. Instead, they may offer other benefits. This includes:

·       More flexible work arrangements or

·       More paid leave, can be negotiated.

If you are in the position to increase your salary due to any of your personal reasons. You can explore other job opportunities to increase your income.

Examples of Request Letters: Salary Increment Letter

To write your salary increment letter to your employer, here we share salary increase request letters. You can use them as a template or reference when crafting your own

1.     Formal Request for Salary Increase Letter

[Your Name]

[Today's Date]

[Employer's Name]

[Company Name]

Dear [Employer's Name],

I am writing to request a salary increase for the following reasons:

1. I have been with [Company Name] for [Number of Years] years. During this time, I have demonstrated my dedication and commitment. I have performed exceptionally well in my role.

2. I have taken on extra responsibilities. It has included [mention specific responsibilities or projects]. They have contributed to the company's growth and success.

3. I have conducted extensive research on industry salary standards. My current salary is below the average for professionals in my field. They have the similar experience and qualification as me.

I kindly request a salary increase that reflects my skills and achievements. I am open to discussing this matter further. We can find a solution together that aligns with the company's budget and goals.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

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2. Informal Salary Increase Request Email

Subject: Request for Salary Increase

Dear [Supervisor's Name],

I hope this email finds you well. I wanted to discuss the possibility of a salary increase for the following reasons:

1. Over the past [Number of Years] years, I have been dedicated to my role at [Company Name]. I have consistently contributed to [mention specific achievements or contributions].

2. I have taken on extra responsibilities. These included [specific responsibilities or projects]. My contributions led to positive results for the company.

3. After research, I have found that my current salary is not in line with industry standards.

I am open to discussing this matter further to find a solution that works for both the company and me. Your guidance and feedback would be appreciated.

Thank you for your time.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

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You can customize these templates as you wish. We tried our best to help you in crafting one. As a good employee, be sure to pick one that suit your specific situation and communication style. Your tone should be professional, clear, and respectful when requesting a salary increase.

Conclusion

In conclusion, requesting a salary increment in the UAE is important. As a worker, it is important for your financial well-being and job satisfaction. The need is to approach the negotiation with professionalism. Show your employer the willingness. To convince your supervisor, you should talk about common ground. At last, remember that salary negotiations are a standard part of the employment process. Employers often respect employees who advocate for their worth. So, it is wise to ask for your right. We hope this article helps you to negotiate effectively. You can check our more articles to get insights about employment in the UAE

FAQs

How often can I expect a salary increment in the UAE?

Across the UAE, salary increments vary by company. They are not guaranteed by employers on a specific schedule. The employees should wait for their annual performance reviews. As it is a good time to discuss potential salary increases.

What factors influence the decision to grant a salary increment?

A few factors influence the employer's decision. This includes:

• Employee job performance

• The achievements and accomplishments

• The increased employee responsibilities

• Employee skill’s market demand

• The industry trends

• Company's financial health

What is the typical percentage of a salary increment in the UAE?

The typical percentage of a salary increment in the UAE varies among:

1.   Industries

2.  Job roles, and

3.  Individual performance.

On average, the increments may range from 3% to 10%.

How should I prepare to request a salary increment?

The following steps should be taken to request a salary increment:

·       Document your achievements to show your worth

·       Present your contributions to convince your employer

·       Market research on industry salary standards.

When is the best time to request a salary increment in the UAE?

Employees should request a raise during their annual performance review. Also, they can do this after a significant achievement. The workers should avoid asking during times of company’s financial difficulty

Can I negotiate a higher increment than what's initially offered?

Absolutely, as an employee you can negotiate your salary increment. You should present evidence of your value. Share your contributions to employers. The employee needs to prove how the increment aligns with market standards.

Is it common to receive a counteroffer from my employer?

It may happen that you receive a counteroffer from your employers if they value your contributions. In the salary negotiation process, this is common to receive

Can I request a salary increment after accepting a job offer?

Yes, you can ask for an increment after offer acceptance if you believe that it does not align with your qualifications or market standards

What if my request for a salary increment is declined?

If your salary increment request is declined, you can ask for feedback on areas to improve. You should inquire about the possibility of a future review. Also, you may also consider seeking opportunities with higher compensation.

Are salary increments in the UAE subject to taxation?

In the UAE, personal income is not subject to taxation. The employee receives their salary increment without deductions for income tax.

Is it appropriate to discuss my salary or pay rise with colleagues at work?

It is a sensitive topic to discuss salary. As an employee, you should exercise discretion when discussing your salary or pay rise with colleagues. This helps in maintaining a harmonious workplace.

Do I need to put my salary increment request in writing?

To formalize the request, the employees need to put their request in writing. By doing so, provide a record of the conversation. It is useful for complex or significant increment requests.