I’m So Fed Up With Employees Expecting Pay Rises! They Used to Appreciate Whatever They Got – Why is Everyone So Entitled Now?

I hear it in almost every boardroom: "Why are my employees always asking for pay rises?" It’s said with a mix of frustration and genuine concern. Sometimes, it’s followed by a headshake that would make anyone think that today's workforce is ungrateful or entitled. But is it really that simple? Let’s break this down, because what may feel like entitlement from an employer’s perspective could actually be something a bit more nuanced.

The Reality of Running a Business

Look, I get it—running a business is hard. Costs are rising, competition is fierce, and staying afloat can feel like you're treading water with bricks in your pockets. Especially for smaller businesses, when you’ve got giants in the same industry paying top dollar to their employees, it's understandable to feel the pressure. You want to retain talent, but you're not Apple or Amazon with bottomless pockets.

Some business owners genuinely care about their employees but wonder how they can possibly meet the constant demands for higher salaries while trying to keep the lights on. The struggle is real.

But... (you knew that was coming, right?)

The Changing World of Work

The idea that employees should just "appreciate whatever they get" feels very 1950s, doesn’t it? The world has changed, and with that, so have the expectations of the workforce. We're no longer in an age where people stay in one job for 30 years, get a gold watch, and are happy with whatever crumbs fall off the table. Today, employees have more awareness of their value, and they're vocal about it. Is that entitlement?

I’d argue it's not so black-and-white. It’s not that your team is sitting around planning how to bankrupt you with pay raises. They simply want to earn enough to live comfortably in an increasingly expensive world. Rent has doubled, groceries have skyrocketed, and the cost of simply living – not even living large – is higher than it’s ever been.

Is the "Entitled Employee" a Myth?

Let’s be honest, there are always a few bad apples. Every business has that one employee who wants to negotiate a pay rise the day after they’ve been hired. But these are the exceptions, not the rule. For most, it’s not about greed; it’s about surviving, or even thriving, in a world that isn’t getting any cheaper.

When employees ask for a pay rise, they’re not always being ungrateful—they're just trying to make ends meet, maybe build a little security for themselves and their families. And yes, maybe they also want to keep up with industry standards. Is that really so outrageous?

Balancing Business Survival with Employee Satisfaction

So, where does this leave the poor business owner who wants to do right by their team but simply can't afford to pay Mayfair wages? It’s a tough spot to be in, no doubt about it. And there’s no easy answer.

It might require a mix of transparency, creativity, and tough conversations. Employees appreciate honesty more than anything. If your business genuinely can’t afford significant pay rises, consider what else you can offer: flexible working conditions, development opportunities, or additional benefits that don’t necessarily hit your cash flow as hard. Small businesses have advantages—like agility and close-knit cultures—that huge corporations can’t offer. Play to your strengths.

But, at the same time, remember that asking for fair compensation doesn’t make employees villains. In fact, if you can’t meet their financial needs, someone else will. And you don’t want to lose your best talent because of a perception that they’re being "entitled."

I can often see small businesses that are actually overstaffed. Because one of the biggest challenges to starting a business, and growing one, is not always having the skills to understand operational efficiency or organisational design that means you have optimum outputs at minimum cost.

This is something to be explored. I’m a firm believer that getting the right external support when it comes to people, should balance all the needs of the business and be very pragmatic about the advice and support that is given.

Bridging the Gap

Business owners, take a breath. I hear your frustrations, and they’re valid. The struggle to keep your business viable while navigating the demands of the modern workforce is no small feat. But employees are people too. They’re not just numbers on a payroll—they’re humans with families, bills, and lives outside of work.

Rather than seeing requests for higher pay as unreasonable, consider it part of the evolving relationship between employer and employee. It’s not about entitlement; it’s about adapting to a world where the cost of living is going up for everyone—business owners and employees alike.

Is there a solution? Maybe not a perfect one. But with empathy, transparency, and a dash of creativity, businesses and employees can find a middle ground where everyone feels valued—and isn’t left feeling like they’re either ungrateful or unappreciated.

If you feel like you don’t know which way to turn with this, get in touch and let’s see what options might be available.