12 Signs You Are Being Underpaid at Work in South Africa (and How to Ask for a Raise)

Salaries in South Africa vary according to industries and companies; how do you know that you are being underpaid in a situation like this? It may be tricky to know if you are being underpaid unless you do your own investigating. We will discuss signs that tell whether you are being underpaid at work in South Africa. A well-paid employee has improved production and usually feels good about doing their job while also creating a healthy working environment amongst coworkers. We will also discuss tips on how to address the situation after finding out or how to ask for a raise.

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Here are 12 signs that you are underpaid at work in South Africa:

1. Your Salary is Below the Industry Average

• After suspecting that you are being underpaid, get online and visit websites like Glassdoor and Payscale. These websites usually share reviews of various employees in South Africa and how much they are paid for the role you are in across industries and companies. This will give you an idea of how much the average salary is for your role, looking at factors like experience and location. The first sign of being possibly underpaid is when your salary is way lower than the market rate.

2. You Haven’t Had a Raise in Over a Year

• Companies in South Africa usually increase salaries looking at inflation and the rise in cost of living. If you have been with the company for more than a year and they have not reviewed your salary, then you are advised to check if your pay is still on the average pay bracket

3. You’re Doing the Work of Multiple Roles

• In some companies, when one person quits, you end up taking on extra roles that are not on our job description without any extra pay. This on its own is a sign that you are not being paid for all your contributions in the company.

4. High Turnover in Your Position

• When a lot of your coworkers who are in the same position as you keep on leaving, including newcomers, then it shows that the workload does not match the pay.

5. Colleagues in Similar Roles Earn More

• It’s normal for employees to end up discussing salaries, and if you end up finding out that people in the same role as you get paid more than you, then it’s a sign that you are being taken for a ride.

6. Your Work is High Impact

• If you are forever producing worthwhile outcomes and positive results towards company goals, then you deserve to be compensated for your extra effort.

7. Your Company Offers Regular Raises, but You Haven’t Received One

• Your company having annual raise policies yet your salary stays the same might be a concern to attend to.

8. You’ve Been Promoted but Didn’t Receive a Pay Increase

• Getting promoted means taking on more responsibilities, and that should also come with more money. If your salary stays the same after a promotion, then it’s time you initiate a salary negotiation.

9. You’re Not Receiving Standard Benefits

• Your salary may be at the market rate, but if you are not receiving standard benefits like other employees, such as health insurance or pension, then you are still underpaid for the complete compensation.

10. You Work Long Hours with No Overtime Compensation

• Every employee in South Africa has their working hours stated on their contracts; if you are working more hours than stated and still not receiving extra money for your time, then you are underpaid.

11. Your Role Has Changed But Not Your Pay

• You have now started doing extra work outside of your job description, yet the money remains the same. Then it’s time to ask for a raise.

12. The Company is Performing Well Financially

• A company should be able to reward their current  staff with raises when they start expanding, hiring new staff and posting profit growth. If they are not investing in their employees after so much growth, then it may show underpayment.

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What Can You Do In South Africa If You Believe You’re Underpaid?

If you are experiencing a few of the signs above, then it might be time to take action. Here is a way to address your concerns professionally.

Research About Your Market Rate

• Use online tools, job review websites, and engage with recruiters to research more about the average pay for your role in the industry you are in including your location. 

Build Your Case And Understand Your Value

• Gather your key contributions and document them; highlight your positive input to your team or company. Your positive contributions would look more compelling as quantified results for example, “increased sales by 30 percent in the first 3 months.”

Prepare for a Salary Discussion

• Initiate and schedule a meeting with your supervisor or manager to discuss your agenda. Focus more on highlighting your contributions and positive impact to the company rather than your personal financial needs.

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An Example Of A Sample Email to Request a Salary Review

You can use the below email template to set up a meeting for a salary review with your manager.

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When to Consider a New Job

If you believe you are undervalued, then you are, and it’s time to look for greener pastures. Your employer ignoring your request for a salary increase without reasons should also be a good enough reason to consider leaving. The following indicators also are grounds for leaving work:

1. Your efforts are not recognized  and Management Dismisses Your Request Without even hearing you out
2. Hostile working environment where by workers are not treated fairly
3. People in similar roles getting paid differently
4. Long-Term Financial Issues at the Company
5. Ethical boundaries have been crossed
6. No room for career growth or Salary Increases

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Recognising signs of being underpaid at work in South Africa can allow you the choice of negotiating for a better salary to be compensated for your work’s worth or choose to consider looking for greener pastures where your contributions will be appreciated. If you choose the negotiating route for the salary increase route, make sure you remain professional and highlight your positive impact and contribution towards the company’s success instead of sounding accusative.