Negotiate your salary when changes are made to your job

If you are allocated more qualified tasks, are given a new role or are promoted to a new position, you are probably a valuable resource for your employer and have sought-after and important competence that the organisation needs. So you should be well rewarded. 

There is of course no hard and fast line here. If you change to another position with a new employment contract, it is much clearer that you have a new role. However, if the content of your position changes gradually, and new tasks are added over time, it is not always as clear. We have a broad work obligation within our positions and there is no razor-sharp boundary.

But if you feel that the content of your job has changed significantly without your salary being adjusted to the same extent, and you feel that you should have a higher salary, you should bring the matter up with your manager, preferably when new tasks are being discussed. Don't wait until your annual salary dialogue.

When the content of your work changes and there are major changes in your role, you have a great opportunity to negotiate a new salary. This will show that you see a clear link between changes to the job and an expectation of a higher salary.

You should therefore bring up the issue of a salary adjustment when you and your manager discuss new tasks. Put simply, higher demands mean higher pay.

If you are promoted to a new position, a new employment contract needs to be drawn up. This is a good opportunity for you to negotiate a new salary before signing the contract. Make sure you also know which year's salary level your new salary is set at, as this affects which year's salary review you will be covered by.

If all salary adjustments are saved for the annual salary review, there is a danger that your total salary increase will be lower. It is therefore important to differentiate between the annual salary review and salary increases due to major changes in your position or a promotion. Think salary all year round.

The salary dialogue is about your performance during the year. It is where you can give feedback on your employer's assessment of your performance and goal fulfilment linked to the salary criteria at the workplace. You can read more about salary dialogues here.

Did you take the opportunity to negotiate a new salary in connection with the changes to your work? If not, do it now. Bring up the subject of salary in connection with changes to your job content.

Be sure to document your new duties. Specific examples of greater responsibility and what has changed are a good basis for discussing your salary.