Talking about salary negotiation in my part of the world can seem an absurd thing. With thousands of persons up and down the streets hoping some miraculous job comes their way, I bet talking about salary negotiation won't be a subject of discussion. As long as they get the job, the salary is manageable to fund some bills—even if it means being overused while underpaid—it's a good to go situation. Would I blame them? No, certainly not. But maybe there can be a better approach to the matter; ensuring one is only "used" as much as they're paid.
The heightened nature of low or lack of job opportunities has somehow played a major factor in erasing the aspect of salary negotiation. A few situations will the employer present the employee the opportunity to negotiate their expected salary. In most cases, applicants hope to just be selected, and perhaps this wish came to pass, they're just offered a preset sum as the expected salary for their labour.
For some reasons, I consider negotiating one's salary; especially when they know the kind and level of work they'll be offering is necessary. This will help them feel heard and valued already, thereby resulting in fruitful effort/labour from them. Knowing one's value and the worth of what they'll be offering the supposed organisation/company can encourage one to put forward the subject of a salary negotiation.
When a person presents themself capable with intellectual capabilities and the needed skills, I think it will be hard to not be heard for a salary negotiation. I've heard remarks of such incidences and how it turned out the applicant's way. Nevertheless, I won't erase the fact that it can turn out the other way. Lack of jobs have been weaponised and many employers use that to take in employees, offering them less of what they deserve for their labour. The troubling question is, if I leave where will I get another job? That has been the concern.
Were I to be in a position to negotiate my salary, I will consider a number of things. These are things I consider paramount for the reward of my labour and for my effectiveness also. A level of effectiveness at work can be powered by how much the worker is rewarded. As a result, I'll consider these when negotiating my salary.
One thing I'll consider is the working hours and the nature of work. For a work that will demand me coming to work Monday to Friday; and maybe Saturday even, I'll surely put that in proper consideration. Some kind of works can be highly demanding, such that I'll have to dedicate most hours, and maybe moving from one place to another. That will also factor in my negotiation.
Food will be a strong consideration. How much will it take for me to feed myself while on this job? The cost of food is currently high and the need to eat at work is another expense. Having this in mind will be a major concern when having a salary negotiation. Transportation will be factored in as well. Cost of transportation isn't a favourable thing today. For a job that I'll need to go five or six days a week, transportation will certainly be placed on table of such negotiations, especially when I reside a long distance from the workplace.
Negotiating one's salary is a necessary and vital thing to do. It's sad that it's not the case in my place, where an employer employing you seems like a big favour he's doing the individual. Every employee has the right to good working conditions, and I believe a good and favourable salary is very much inclusive.
This is my entry for the Hive Naija weekly prompt, week 91.
Last image is mine.