Let’s take a hike | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Let’s take a hike

None | By
Mar 09, 2011 11:28 PM IST

A decent raise could be in the offing, says a survey. Show us the money, we say.

Come March, and every office worth its valuable and voluble employees are enveloped in a constant low-intensity buzz. No prizes for guessing the content of this excited chatter and lively exchanges. It often starts with a coffee in hand and between puffs (for some) with a loaded question: any news? Well, by that the information-seeker does not want on the government’s budget promises, the stock market’s mood swings or the increasing levels of corruption. In March, ‘the news’ is a code for information on two other comforting words — salary hike.

HT Image
HT Image

According to global human resources firm Aon Hewitt’s Salary Increase Survey (isn’t there a nice ring to it?), in 2011 India Inc employees across all levels will get an average hike between 12%-15% and chances are that, employers and the economy willing, the goodies will continue to flow like this for the next five years. Around 531 organisations were surveyed for the report. In 2009, the increase forecast was a terribly sad 6.3% thanks to a beast called inflation and 2010, it was happier at 11.7%. While most would be moderately elated with the survey findings and rush to fine-tune the checklist of things to buy in the coming quarter, here’s some advice: don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Even at the risk of sounding like the world’s biggest group of pessimists, we editorial writers would advice utmost caution when you open that envelope carrying the ‘Letter’. Don’t rush through it, read the lines carefully and if possible, between the lines too, before you race to the next page and start counting the zeros. There’s another reason not to have that satisfied smile on your face: have you ever seen any survey that matches the projections with the actual hikes? We will sign off now with another piece of advice: seeing is believing — and only in cash.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal News Live, Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On