Thinking about asking for a pay rise can be a daunting experience, especially for dental nurses. The most important thing to remember is that you are a valuable member of staff, and your employer should invest in you with a pay rise.
The short guide provides some practical tips to help you prepare and present your case for a pay rise effectively. In addition, the guide explains how Community, the union for dental nurses can help you to achieve the outcome you need.
Research dental nurse market rates
Community has a research department that can provide members with the current market rates for dental nurses in both private and NHS practices across the UK. Using this information, you can determine where your pay stands compared to similar roles across other UK practices.
Understanding the average salaries for roles with comparable experience and qualifications will give you a benchmark to aim for and ensure that your request is reasonable.
To get in touch with our research department, email us at research@community-tu.org.
Highlight your value in your workplace
Evaluate your contributions to the practice you work in. Consider your experience, qualifications, additional responsibilities, as well as any specific achievements. Documenting these details can help demonstrate your value, such as additional training you have completed, or positive patient feedback. These are strong points to highlight when making your case.
Choose the right time to ask for a pay rise
Timing is crucial when asking for a pay rise. We would recommend having this conversation during your performance review, after completing a significant project, or when the practice is performing well financially. These moments provide a natural context for discussing your contributions and how they justify an increase in your salary.
Prepare your case
Community provides one-to-one assistance to help members build a compelling case for why you deserve a pay rise. You can contact your local regional office here. List your achievements, such as improving patient satisfaction, streamlining processes, or taking on additional duties. We would also recommend using specific examples and, if possible, include metrics to quantify your impact.
Two key metrics you can use to help are patient turnaround time and recording the average time it takes for a patient to complete their appointment. A shorter turnaround time can improve efficiency. Another one is patient satisfaction records collected through surveys and questionnaires. Please ensure you converse with your employer about having surveys in the workplace.
This concrete evidence will make your argument more persuasive.
Practice your pay rise pitch
Rehearse what you plan to say to your manager. Practice with a friend or family member to refine your approach and gain confidence. Ensure you can clearly explain why you deserve a pay rise and be prepared to answer questions or counterarguments your manager might have.
As a member of Community, you have access to free online courses on building confidence and public speaking skills. These resources can provide you with the tools and confidence and the conviction you’ll need to make a compelling pitch for a pay rise.
Request a meeting with your manager
Rather than bringing up the topic informally, we would recommend requesting a dedicated meeting with your manager. This approach shows that you are serious and professional about your request. You should give them a heads-up about the meeting’s purpose so they can prepare too.
Stay professional
During the meeting, you should remain calm and professional regardless of the outcome. If your request is declined, we would recommend asking for feedback on what you can do to position yourself for a future pay rise. This demonstrates your commitment to growth within the practice and can help you to achieve your goal in the long term.
By following these steps, and with the support from Community, you can confidently approach a conversation with your manager about a pay rise.
Join the union for dental nurses
At Community, we are proud to bring together dental nurses from across the UK, to organise within your sector and fight against issues around pay, workplace bullying, contracts, sickness and more. As a member of our dental nurse community, you can go to work and feel safe knowing that we are here to fight your corner when you need us.
If you are a member of Community and need advice or support, please contact our Service Centre at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.
© Community Trade Union 2024