Help me get a raise!

[Ambrus]

My boss, without being asked, offered to give me a cost of living pay raise. He asked me to figure out how much that is. I've been googling it trying to figure out what the cost of living increase % was for Canada between 2005 and 2006 but have yet to find anything definitive on the subject. Is there anyone here smarter and more knowledgeable that could enlighten me or at least point me in the right direction?

 

[Alzrius]

I can see why you're having a hard time with this. I just spent a few minutes googling this and it's rather difficult.

Here's the information I found on Wikipedia regarding this: The Cost-of-living index is usually typified with a Consumer Price Index. InflationData.com has a link to a site regarding Canada's Consumer Price Index.

I hope that helps, because it's baffling to me.

 

[cybertalus]

With 2006 only half over would they even know yet what the cost of living increase is from 2005?

 

[DaveMage]

My boss, without being asked, offered to give me a cost of living pay raise. He asked me to figure out how much that is. I've been googling it trying to figure out what the cost of living increase % was for Canada between 2005 and 2006 but have yet to find anything definitive on the subject. Is there anyone here smarter and more knowledgeable that could enlighten me or at least point me in the right direction?

I suggest you find out what kind of raises your governmental leaders gave themselves for "cost of living" and ask for that.

 

[Piratecat]

2.8% (or 3%, hopefully.)

http://www.statcan.ca/english/Subjects/Cpi/cpi-en.htm

I googled "2005 inflation in Canada"

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I found 2.83% from the Bank of Canada inflation calculator, so 3% seems reasonable.

Not knowing your work situation, I would ask if this will have any impact upon things like performance based raises. I have worked at places where they will say you can't get a raise for 1 year from you last raise.

 

[Lord Zardoz]

You have got to love it when your given an opportunity and plenty of rope to hang your self with. The risks of asking for too much and being told to kark off mean you dont want to aim too high.

Use tangible things as a starting point. I would use the rate of gas / fuel increases over the past year, and take some fraction of that increase. The rising energy cost will not only affect how much you pay for gas, but also for home heating, and for any goods that must be transported over long distances. If your rent or mortgage has also gone up, account for that.

You could also work it backwards. Figure out how much you want your net pay to increase per month, and then figure out what yor gross pay before taxes and deductions needs to be to make that happen.

END COMMUNICATION

 

[ssampier]

At our work the cost of living increase is always 3% (usually it's an across the board raise). I don't know who came up with that figure.

As for asking for a raise, you can always state how much you need the raise. It always worked for Fred Flintstone -- Yabbba-Dabba-do!

(Or did it?)

 

[Ambrus]

Thanks for the help guys, the 2.8 - 3% mark seems about right. My work situation is pretty simple; just my boss and me working as his assistant in his design studio. There aren't really any office politics or pay-increase rules to follow beyond what he comes up with. For instance, last year around June I mentioned to him in passing that I'd just finished my first year of working for him and he blurted out: "Really? Wow. I guess it's time I give you a raise then. Just add 2 or 3 bucks an hour to your next invoice."

He's a good guy and that raise was quite generous IMHO; I was certainly happy with it. I wasn't planning on asking him for another raise for awhile but then this month out of the blue he says: Hey it's June again right? I got to give you another raise. What's the cost of living increase at?" I admitted I had no idea but said I'd google it and get back to him. Now I'll just tell him 2.83% and refer him to the websites mentioned below. Thanks again guys.

 

[DerianCypher]

wow... u have a nice boss... does he need some outsourcing to the U.S.? :-D