How does a salary raise feel at your company?
– A surprise? (“Oh wow, didn’t expect that!”)
– A shock? (“Wait, that’s all?”)
– Hard negotiations? (“Thoda aur de do, na?”)
– Or worse—Absent? (“Raise? What raise?”)

Salary hikes feel like bargaining at the sabzi market.
Employer: “Market rate is 10%.”
Employee: “I need at least 30%.”
Employer: “Okay, 18%. Final.”
Employee: “At least round it off to 20%?”

The problem? Neither side truly understands the other.

Employers often give raises like prasad—expecting employees to receive it with gratitude and as divine blessings. But for employees, it’s not charity, it’s a reflection of their true worth.

So here’s a simple idea that makes salary discussions… human.

Instead of deciding raises in a closed room like a lottery result, we ask.

Every January, we run a survey for everyone:

– What salary do you expect in the new FY?
– Why do you feel you deserve it?
– What salary would you expect in 3 years?

First, check if we can match their expectations outright—which happens in about 60% of cases.
For the rest, we try to understand why they expect what they do.

Someone asks for a 40% raise because they’re building a home at their native place. Instead of shutting it down, we figure out—under what circumstances can this happen? We build a plan, together. There’s a natural buy-in.

Some people ask for less than they deserve. We show them why they should expect more. Because undervaluing yourself isn’t a win for anyone.

And then, there are cases where we simply can’t match the ask. Instead of dodging it, we have an open conversation—what gaps need to be addressed? What’s the roadmap to getting there? If not today, then soon.

And with this, we have most often found that the tension drops. The frustration eases.

Because you can’t decide and dictate someone’s worth—you can only understand how they feel it.

So, next time, before setting salaries in stone, just ask. It might change everything.

Pic: Everyone believes they are the Kung Fu warrior. Everyone is in their own way. To know that is the secret sauce of salary raises 😉