The current level of competition in the dental job market has left business owners increasingly facing staff requests for pay raises often outside the regular yearly review period. While paying auxiliary staff a fair wage is critical, handling such requests effectively requires skill, confidence, and clear communication.
When Pay Rises May Be Appropriate:
Promotions or Expanded Responsibilities: If an employee has taken on additional responsibilities or been promoted, this will warrant a pay adjustment.
Market Corrections: If the role's market value has shifted significantly, proactively addressing the discrepancy can demonstrate fairness.
Exceptional Performance: A staff member who consistently goes above and beyond may deserve recognition through pay.
When Pay Rises May Not Be Appropriate:
Following External Offers: While counter-offers may sometimes be necessary to retain top talent, they can set a precedent that undermines loyalty. Evaluate the situation carefully before making any decisions, or ask your Prime Practice Coach or our HR Solutions expert for advice.
Frequent Requests: Repeated pay rise requests outside agreed-upon review cycles can disrupt team harmony and financial planning.
Economic Constraints: If the practice's financial health doesn't support raises, leaders should communicate this transparently while seeking support for improving practice profitability.
To avoid inappropriate wage rise requests, set clear policies around pay reviews with your team. Ensure staff know when reviews occur and the criteria for raises, and complete these reviews as planned. During onboarding or team meetings, outline these expectations and commit to fairness and transparency.
When staff make an unexpected request, listen actively and ask for context. Discuss and consider what they have shared, even if the answer ends with no. Offer constructive feedback or a timeline for re-evaluating the team members request—this demonstrates that you value their contribution without making hasty decisions.
Handling pay rise requests with empathy and professionalism builds trust and ensures fairness. By staying consistent with your policies and open to honest conversations, you can strike the right balance between retaining great staff and maintaining financial stability.
Need more support? Get in touch with Prime Practice!
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