It’s easy to slip into thinking the habits of pay and working conditions that you may have experienced as a graduate or employee are normal. It’s up to each employer to make a conscious decision to do things differently. Just because something is an accepted part of a professional culture does not make it right or even legal.
THE PAY INEQUITY BEAST
The habit of many businesses – not just architectural ones – is to wait to give pay rises until they are pushed competence. You also need to ask yourself if it’s reasonable to line your pockets with the money earned by your staff who may be reticent at putting themselves forward for a pay rise. Ask yourself: just because someone doesn’t ask for a pay rise, does that mean they don’t deserve one? Just as we expect clients to pay market rate or above, shouldn’t we do the same for our staff?
