Most Londoners 'have never asked for a pay rise'

Less than a third of Londoners have asked their boss for a pay rise and many refuse to discuss their salary with colleagues, a study has found.

Just 30 per cent of workers in London have approached their manager to ask for a wage increase, according to finance company Scottish Widows’ survey. However, Londoners are bold when compared to the national average, with just 24 per cent of people in the UK willing to ask for an increased salary.

Less than one in 10 Londoners have not asked for a pay rise because they are worried their employer will say no, marginally higher than the national average

When asked why they had never approached their boss to ask for an increase, more than a quarter (28 per cent) said they had never broached the topic because they felt they had always been given fair salary hikes.

But others were reluctant to ask about their wages because they were embarrassed or afraid of rejection.

Some 13 per cent of people working in the capital had decided against asking for a salary increase because they were embarrassed, higher than the national average of 11 per cent.

Meanwhile, less than one in 10 (nine per cent) Londoners have not asked for a pay rise because they are worried their employer will say no, marginally higher than the national average (eight per cent).

The survey also found that it was not just when talking with the boss that workers in London clammed up about their wages.

More than half (53 per cent) of people employed in the capital are not prepared to discuss their salary with colleagues, higher than the 49 per cent of people across the country who do not divulge what’s in their pay packet with co-workers.

Some 28 per cent of Londoners refused to discuss their salary with friends, while about a fifth (17 per cent) did not bring the topic up with their family, according to the survey.

Catherine Stewart of Scottish Widows said: “The nation is split when it comes to talking about their salary, as it’s a sensitive topic.

“If people don’t feel comfortable talking to their nearest and dearest about their salary it makes it even more important to seek expert advice to keep on top of their finances.”

The survey about discomfort when it comes to discussing wages has been released after a study found the gender pay gap still exists in the capital, with men earning significantly more than their female peers.