Professional Scientists Australia were recently asked by members, “What should I be getting paid?” and “Do I have enough power to negotiate a pay rise?”

Being a member of Professional Scientists Australia provides you with the resources you need to negotiate your next pay rise and ensure you’re remuneration package reflects your experience and skill set.

Here are 5 points to help you get on the right track professionally for 2020. 
 
1. What skills does your industry value?
If you’re comparing your salary based on your skill set against your work colleagues, you won’t get an accurate indication of your value. Employers have a tendency to value their employees within their organisation differently. What you need to consider is how you compare to others in your industry. A like for like comparison will give you accurate picture of what value other employers pay for your skills.  You can’t know every employee from every organisation in your industry but you don’t have to. Each year Professional Scientists Australia release an Employment and Remuneration Report to give you a detailed overview of your industry. The remuneration report is free to PSA members.  

2. What are you getting paid compared to others?
If you had a calculator which gave you an average wage based on your skill set, years of experience, responsibility level in your sector would you say you are earning in the top percentile? We have the detailed information about salary rates and have an easy to use salary calculator that compares your experience and skills to give you an accurate indication on how much you should be getting paid. 

Check out the report here.
3. What are you getting paid compared to others?
If you knew every salary and averaged it out would you deserve a raise or would you be earning in the top percentile? We have the detailed information about salary rates and have an easy to use salary calculator that compares your experience and skills to give you an accurate indication on how much you should be getting paid. 

Scientists Salary Calculator



FREE ACCESS to the salary calculator.

4. Is your contract worth your employment?
Your contract includes much more than just the salary you pocket at the end of the week. It’s a combination of wages, benefits and a set of working conditions your employer is offering for your employment. More money doesn’t mean that you are better off if other factors increase the difficulty of your work. Professional Scientists Australia conduct contract reviews to compare your individual contract to industry averages, so you know if your contract is fair.

Don’t guess, book a contract review today.

5. Are your negotiation skills up to scratch?
Entering a salary negotiation can be nerve wracking. It is not an exact science and like any other type of negotiation, it is about personalities and power balances. You deserve to be rewarded for your hard work. Poor planning can cost you so don’t be the one that misses out! To get started, you need to build your case by gathering all the right information. Our professionals are here to offer advice on how to best prepare you for a conversation. 

Get some advice for your next negotiation today.

6. Are you covered in your workplace?
What would happen if your employer asked you to work unpaid overtime? It’s hard to say no without feeling like you’ve jeopardised your employment. Many employees find themselves in situations where their employer has asked them for more than what is in their contract. With Professional Scientists Australia you can get legal advice from experts on the ramifications if you were to refuse. If it comes to it, we can even offer you legal representation to make sure that you are getting a fair and just outcome. 
 
Get some advice.