[UK] Salary history impacts pay negotiations for 68% of professionals

In the UK, new research shows that 68 per cent of professionals believe that their salary history has hindered their ability to negotiate higher pay, Onrec reports.

Conversely, 85 per cent feel more confident negotiating when a job advert includes a salary band.

The research, conducted by Robert Walters, revealed that two-thirds (68 per cent) of the UK’s professionals believe their salary history was a hindrance. The figures come amid Government plans to require employers to disclose salary information in job adverts under a new ‘Say What You Pay’ law.

According to Robert Walters, this reflects the growing priority placed on pay transparency across Europe. The recruitment firm stated that salary history can shape an applicant’s expectations even when their skills and experience point to a higher market value. The research suggests many jobseekers want clearer salary information before entering a negotiation.

Just 27 per cent of respondents share their current salary openly during job interviews, while a further 44 per cent said they state their salary expectations upfront, and 19 per cent admit to inflating their current salary.

Daniel Harris, Managing Director – UK&I at Robert Walters, said: “Shifting the conversation when questions over current earnings come up is a way workers are taking the subject of salary history off the table.

“While it rarely plays a main role in final salary decisions, knowing more about an applicant’s salary history can help hiring managers more accurately benchmark expectations and prevent wasted time during hiring processes.”

He added, “A past salary shouldn’t decide a professional’s current value, especially when their skills and experience tell a different story.”

Source: Onrec

(Quotes via original reporting)

In the UK, new research shows that 68 per cent of professionals believe that their salary history has hindered their ability to negotiate higher pay, Onrec reports.

Conversely, 85 per cent feel more confident negotiating when a job advert includes a salary band.

The research, conducted by Robert Walters, revealed that two-thirds (68 per cent) of the UK’s professionals believe their salary history was a hindrance. The figures come amid Government plans to require employers to disclose salary information in job adverts under a new ‘Say What You Pay’ law.

According to Robert Walters, this reflects the growing priority placed on pay transparency across Europe. The recruitment firm stated that salary history can shape an applicant’s expectations even when their skills and experience point to a higher market value. The research suggests many jobseekers want clearer salary information before entering a negotiation.

Just 27 per cent of respondents share their current salary openly during job interviews, while a further 44 per cent said they state their salary expectations upfront, and 19 per cent admit to inflating their current salary.

Daniel Harris, Managing Director – UK&I at Robert Walters, said: “Shifting the conversation when questions over current earnings come up is a way workers are taking the subject of salary history off the table.

“While it rarely plays a main role in final salary decisions, knowing more about an applicant’s salary history can help hiring managers more accurately benchmark expectations and prevent wasted time during hiring processes.”

He added, “A past salary shouldn’t decide a professional’s current value, especially when their skills and experience tell a different story.”

Source: Onrec

(Quotes via original reporting)