No Salary Increases? Ask for Perks
With the recession still in full swing, negotiating a higher salary might be difficult. But you don’t have to give up your hopes of earning a promotion just because the market is insecure. One way to approach negotiations is by seeking job perks. Depending on the perks you secure, they might be worth more than a raise would be.
Here are 5 things you might consider requesting:
Health benefits. If you already have health benefits, this is non-negotiable. But if you’ve been working without, this would be a good “perk” to ask for, especially if you’ve proven yourself valuable to an employer.
Increased vacation days. Paid time-off is a great perk. While this does cost an employer, it’s considerably less than a substantial raise would be. Consider asking for 10 to 14 additional vacation days per work year.
Flexible work schedule. This costs your employer nothing. However, it can be difficult to ask for greater flexibility in your work schedule simply because your employer probably doesn’t want to allow every employee the same luxury. But don’t let that stop you. Depending on your personal situation and work history, you may have proven yourself trustworthy enough to earn an unconventional work schedule.
Permission to telecommute. Like a more flexible work schedule, this one may be viewed as taboo by some employers. But for the past few years, many companies have come to realize that affording employees greater work flexibility makes for a more productive work environment—even if for some employees that environment is at home. Before you approach an employee for this perk, have your ducks in a row. Is your home a suitable work environment? Do you have all the necessary equipment to function from home (internet connection, fax, and computer with all the necessary software)? If you approach your employer requesting costly equipment for your telecommuting work space, you may find yourself at an instant disadvantage.
Training. This perk is a win-win. You receive the training necessary to boost your resume and your employability while your employer gains a more skilled employee. Universal Accounting Center has a number of training programs you might consider. All would increase your value to an employer; all would be a valuable personal investment as well.
Universal Accounting’s Tax Training
If you work for a small business, your eligibility to prepare taxes under the new regulations established by the IRS could be beneficial to your current employer. And in completing income tax training, the Professional Tax Preparer course, not only could you earn the Professional Tax Preparer Designation, but you could also learn everything you need to know to pass the IRS Competency Exam and receive up to 60 CPE credits, depending on the number of modules you complete.
Acquire the expertise necessary to build a home-based tax business and become a Professional Tax Preparer before next tax season. UAC’s Professional Tax Preparer (PTP) program will not only give you hands-on training in completing full individual (1040) and business returns (1065, 1120, 1120S), but it will also provide you with the following:
- Step-by-step instruction in becoming a sole practitioner
- One year of follow-up support from expert tax preparers
- The opportunity to earn valuable professional certification
- Our iron-clad, risk-free guarantee
Talk to your employer about the possibility of enrolling in this online tax course as a job perk. And if you’re self-employed, consider investing in yourself this fall. Call 1-877-833-7909 to enroll in the Professional Tax Preparer Program today, and improve your competitive advantage while securing your professional standing in the tax industry.
