When a Colleague Asks for Your Hike Percentage

Updated September 2026: in 2018 I wrote about feeling devastated after hearing colleagues' hikes, and then being asked directly for my hike percentage by a manager on my team, who I later felt had betrayed me. I have rewritten it into advice on handling questions about your pay.

After learning that one colleague had almost the same hike as me and another had an unimaginably large one, I was upset and blamed my luck. I did not want to work on my bids, since I felt I had put in more effort than others. I wanted to go home early. Then a manager on the team messaged me and, without hesitation, asked my hike percentage. After a pause, I said I had not calculated it yet. He said he wanted to check whether hikes differed between our team and delivery. I later came to believe he had used the information against me.

Do you have to tell a colleague your hike?

No. Pay is personal, and many companies ask staff to keep it confidential. Declining politely is always acceptable: "I would rather not share numbers, but I am happy to talk about the process."

Why do people ask?

Curiosity, comparison, or to gather information for their own negotiation. Sometimes, as in my case, for reasons that are not in your interest. You cannot always tell which, so it is safest to share nothing specific.

How do you manage the disappointment of a low hike?

• Wait a day before reacting: first calculations are often wrong.
• Check the facts: fixed pay, variable pay and effective date.
• Ask your manager for the reasoning: calmly, with your achievements listed.
• Keep working well: a visible dip in effort can affect next year's rating.

What if a colleague uses your pay information against you?

There is often little to be done after the fact. Learn from it, keep future conversations general, and raise any misuse with your manager or HR if it affects your work.

What should you say instead of a number?

Something honest and general: that you are still reading the letter, or that you prefer to keep pay private. You can also ask how the revision process worked in their team, which gives useful context without exposing your own figures.

Keep reading

• Waiting for Your Rating: Handling the Questions
• Company Says Jobs Are Safe but Your Team Is Silent
• A Same-Day Deadline Lands While You Are on Leave