Cooking the Books podcast: What to do when asking for a raise doesn't work

There are ways to approach the pay issue that can tip the odds in your favour. Photo / Kenny Rodger

Each week the NZ Herald and Newstalk ZB's Cooking The Books podcast tackles a different money problem. Today, it's the tactics to use if you think you're underpaid. Hosted by Frances Cook.

Listen to "What to do when asking for a raise doesn't work" on Spreaker.

It's a tough world out there trying to get a pay rise. Wages have been flat for a long time, and it only makes things worse if you're already underpaid.

Last year Harvard released research that debunked one of the biggest gender pay gap myths. Many people say women are paid less because they're too timid, and don't ask for a raise as often as men.

Well, not true.

It turns out, women ask for a raise just as often as men. But the women were successful 15 per cent of the time, while men were successful 20 per cent of the time.

That's a huge difference, and will really add up over your lifetime.

Then only a few weeks ago, research from recruitment firm One Staff showed that female tradies in New Zealand were being paid 20 per cent less than the men they're working alongside.

That's even worse than the average in New Zealand, already a depressing 11.8 per cent less in most women's pay packets.

The pay gap is one of the best examples for this discussion because there's so much good data; but let's say from the start, there are many reasons why you can be underpaid.

I talked to Cathy Hendry, senior consultant for Strategic Pay, for the latest Cooking the Books.

We discussed what leads to people being underpaid, what companies can do about it, and what tactics individuals should try.

For the interview, listen to the podcast.

If you have a question about this podcast, or an idea for the next one, come and talk to me about it. I'm on Facebook here, Instagram here and Twitter here.

Don't forget to subscribe on the Apple podcasts app iHeartRadio, or Stitcher, to make sure you never miss an episode.