When you’re calculating pay rises, it’s important to think about more than just how much you can afford. You also need to consider the true cost of replacing that employee.
Low pay rises can be unexpectedly expensive
It’s surprisingly common for businesses to offer low pay rises, only for workers to feel undervalued and resign. The employer is left with all the upfront costs of replacing them, plus paying the salary, plus training the new employee and lost productivity as they learn the ropes.
Some estimates put the cost of a new employee at around 40% of their salary and a 2021 Australasian survey put the price at an average of $23,860 per worker.
Overall, that low pay rise could cost your business a lot more than you bargained for.
Not paying enough might just cost you an employee
If you run the numbers you’ll see the impact that an insufficient pay rise can have. Let’s say you employ Ashley, an office manager who is paid $60,000. You offer Ashley a 4% pay rise, which will cost you around $2,400 more each year. With inflation running at over 7%, Ashley feels this isn’t enough and finds a job paying $68,000 almost immediately.
If you had provided Ashley with a 10% pay rise, it would have cost you around $6,000 more each year and you would still have your employee. Finding a new employee could cost you $20,000 or more.
Running the numbers
Make sure you understand salaries in your industry, and think about inflation, when you calculate pay rises. Also consider how easy it would be to replace the person and how much value they bring to your business. And think about extra benefits you could offer a valuable team member: do they want more flexibility or a four-day week?
If you have any questions about pay rises or hiring this year, contact your WDF team member on 02 6921 5444 or email accountants@wdf.com.au. We'd love to help you navigate these decisions!
Manager
WDF Accounting and Advisory | Accountants Wagga | Your partners in business
Providing carefully tailored accounting solutions in business advisory, tax compliance, bookkeeping, Self-Managed Super funds, and more.
The value of cashflow forecasting for your business
Remaining in control of the cash coming into (and going out of) the business is the real focus, so you can accurately predict your financial position and can resolve any issues. Read More…
Could the surcharge ban on card transactions help your business?
Paying the required surcharges on debit card transactions made by your customers is an operational cost that many business owners would love to see disappear. The Government is proposing banning these surcharges from January 2026. Read More…
How can small businesses compete with the big chains?
How can your small business compete with the big multinationals? Here’s how to maximise your boutique appeal to retain existing customers and draw in new ones. Read More…