Not every workplace is experiencing “The Great Resignation” by disgruntled employees. But there are enough resignations to get employer’s attention.
And that’s good news for you. You have leverage in getting better benefits and working conditions. Hustle up and ask.
If you are working and want to stay:
Here are some of the benefits or changes you can try for. My advice: make your requests assertively but politely in all instances. No boss wants a demanding, strident staffer. There’s a line between assertive and strident.
Here are suggestions made in in greater depth in the excellent blog themuse.com, August 23:
- More remote work opportunities and flexible schedules, including hybrids. And phone, internet and office equipment reimbursement, or for office-goers, commuter benefits.
- More health and mental health benefits.
- Increased family and caregiving support.
- Adequate or even unlimited paid vacation, personal days, and sick leave.
- Ongoing learning opportunities such as tuition reimbursement, online courses and mentorship.
OK, you’ve chosen a list of, say, 3 to 6 things you’d like.
First, prioritize. Spend some time laying out which new perks would make the most difference in your life. Talk to partners and/or good friends, who may point out things you hadn’t thought of.
Then ask for your top priorities firmly, and if possible, show how the change can be carried out and can benefit not only you but the organization or your boss. Show appreciation if your boss sounds positive.
If the answer is “no”, present some other requests from your list. (In deciding how assertive to be, figure out first if you are prepared to walk if you don’t get X or Y.)
If you are job-seeking:
Add these items to your interview prep.
Tip 1: Make a list of the benefits and perks you want.
Tip 2: Consider that you should be interviewing your prospective employers — not just they interviewing you.
Usually you will have at least 2-3 interviews — sometimes more. A good strategy is to defer asking about benefits in your initial interviews. You need to sell yourself first.
Once they want you, your bargaining position is much better — excellent, in fact — and you can ask from a position of strength.
Tip 3: After the initial interview (or even before), spend some time finding out about the organization, its perks and its vibe.
Go on Glassdoor or other websites where current employees diss or praise their organization. Note what is said about its culture, communication styles, its real (as opposed to claimed) policies toward its employees in general, and toward different populations.
Also try contacting your contacts, including LinkedIn contacts who work at the organization. Ask “Would you be able to spend 10 minutes by phone describing the culture, working conditions, and perks of your organization?” Have your questions ready to talk then or later.
Tip 4: Stay upbeat when you start bargaining. Use phrases like “Does your company offer X and Y?” and “A, B and C are very important to me. Can you offer those to me?”
The bottom line for both employees and job seekers:
In most fields, employers are having a challenge finding suitable new hires. That means that you can be bolder and more strategic in asking for and getting what you need.
Right now, the climate is good. Hustle up and ask.