Advertisement
How to negotiate a pay rise in the new school term: Timing and tactics that work
15th July, 2026 05:34 PM
Every time a new school term begins, budgets tighten as parents scramble for school fees, shopping lists, and transport money. For many workers, this is also the exact time they start wondering if their salary still matches their effort.
The good news is that the start of a school term is actually a great time to talk about a pay rise. This is when institutions and companies are planning their budgets and schedules for the months ahead.
If you want to ask for a salary review, aligning your conversation with this timing is smart.
Picking the perfect day and time
Do not just walk into your boss’s office on a chaotic Monday morning. The first week of the new term is usually a mess of logistics, meetings, and planning. Instead, wait for the second week when things have settled down.
Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons are usually the best windows. Avoid Fridays because everyone, including your boss, is already thinking about the weekend.
Before booking that meeting, gather your facts. Prepare a simple list of what you have achieved over the past year. Did you help the team beat a tight deadline? Did you take on extra work when a colleague left?
Focus on the value you bring, not just your personal bills. In fact, a study by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology shows that keeping things positive pays off.
According to the researchers, “a positive subjective experience in negotiation may be considered a kind of asset that improves the tangible quality of working relationships”. In short, being pleasant and collaborative rather than aggressive actually makes your boss want to work with you more.
What to do if the answer is “no”
Go into the meeting with a realistic number. If you currently earn Ksh50,000, asking for Ksh60,000 is easier for your employer to approve than demanding a massive leap. Keep the language simple and direct. If your supervisor says no, do not lose your temper or get defensive. Sometimes, the company budget is genuinely tight.
Instead, turn a “no” into a roadmap. Ask your boss what targets you need to hit over the next few months to qualify for that raise.
You can say, “I understand the budget is tight right now. Can we look at this again on October 15, 2026, if I hit these specific goals?” This shows you are professional, committed, and ready to earn your way up.
