How do I make my employer change terms of contract?

I have got a job whose contract terms and conditions I do not agree with. I for instance, feel the pay is too low for the workload assigned to me. The boss is giving me a take-it-or-leave-it attitude. I really want the job and do not want to turn the offer down, what should I do? Lilly

Dear Lilly,
“I have got a job” communicates that you already have the job and have now recognised that the terms and conditions are not favourable. If this is the case, then you need to speak with your supervisor. Before the discussion, ensure you have evidence to demonstrate the workload for the role and its pay are not equally matched. You need to remember there are very rare cases where one feels their pay and workload is equally matched. Your evidence can include a log of the hours it takes you to complete the work allocated to you. While this can show there is too much work and not enough time to complete the work in any given day, it can also work the other way around i.e. you may be completing work in significantly less time allocated in a day.

If you have not taken the job and are at the point of signing a new contract, then you may want to consider an inclusion in the contract where your pay is reviewed after an agreed period. If your case is the latter, you can still take a log of hours taken to complete the allocated work. You will need to contextualise and appreciate that as your start a new role, it will naturally take you a little longer to complete the work and as time progresses, if you are suitably matched this time will get less.

If you are at the point of reviewing a contract, you may get push back as you have not started working and your viewpoint is your perception. I would avoid turning the job down but rather try the role, consistently perform well, collect your evidence then negotiate.

Caroline Mboijana
Managing Director
The Leadership Team (U)
[email protected]