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It can be hard but it doesn't have to be impossible to ask for a raise.
The very nature of a personal assistant or lifestyle manager's career makes it difficult to ask for a raise. This is largely due to the fact that there is rarely a clearly defined job description; it is more of a flexible role that tends to change over time and situations. Most people that work as domestic/personal service employees will have the same set of circumstances to deal with when asking for a raise.
One way to ease the tension of having to ask for a raise is to consider developing a formal job description with each different client. This does not have to be time consuming, consider a standard job description for a domestic/personal service employee and then alter it as required.
On the job description be sure to list the number of hours that the salary entails as well as the individual tasks. In addition consider indicating that the job description will be reviewed every year or every six months and this will provide an opportunity to talk with the client and possibly ask for an increase in salary with changes in either time or tasks required.
Advanced Preparation
In addition to having a job description to review prepare yourself for the discussion with the client in advance. Simple going in and asking for a raise is rarely effective, however going in with information about how your services have provided assistance to the client is more likely to achieve the desired results. The following questions can provide information on your performance and its impact on the client:
· Is the client happy with the service?
· Has their been a change in duties from the original agreement?
· Are the new duties in addition to the tasks in the original agreement?
· Has the scope or difficulty level of the duties changed significantly?
· Has their been a recent raise?
· What was the date of the last pay increase, if there has been one?
· Have you gained new skills that would be valuable to your new employer?
· Would you prefer expanded benefits in lieu of higher wages?
Take the time to answer these questions plus noting any additional changes that have occurred in the tasks that you complete for the employer. You may find that few of the original tasks are actually what you spend most of your time on. Perhaps the new tasks are more time consuming or require greater traveling or research time to complete.
Consider writing a new job description to match the information you have determined from answering the questions. Bring the new information as well as the original job description into the meeting. Often the employer will not realize that the requirements for the domestic/personal service employees have changed so dramatically and will often be willing to consider a wage increase based on the information.
Consider having an option if the employer is not offering an increase in salary. Perhaps a mileage charge may be appropriate, or the use of a company vehicle to run errands to cut down on overhead expenses.
Handling No
There may be situations where the employer is not willing to offer either an increase or to agree to additional benefits in lieu of a wage increase. It is important to avoid becoming overly upset or angry in these situations as this can affect your future relationship with the client.
Prepare to hear a negative and how you will respond. You may wish to consider asking the client under what conditions a raise would be granted. Perhaps these conditions could easily be met, or perhaps they already are and you just need to clarify your role.
Deciding to request a raise for personal service employees is always easier when they have documentation to support the request as well as a plan for alternate suggestions. Take the initiative and meet with the client, you may be surprised at the results. Good luck!