We simply don't have the budget for that scale of increase. But we value your work, and would like to do what we can to keep you here.

Thanks for sitting down to talk this out Vishal.

Oops, I may have overplayed that. I know there are other people who could do this job.

On-boarding a new employee is expensive. Plus we'd lose Chris's institutional knowledge. I think we need to do what we can to retain her.

That would work, but let me see if I can push it a little higher.

Let's split the difference. 6.5% and review after 8 months, after the fiscal year ends?

I'm not settling for less than a 5% increase.

I definitely can't go above $3,750. We just don't have it in the budget.

Vishal's Bottom Line

That's promising. Maybe I should ask for more.

I've been reviewing comparable positions and I think a 10% increase would put me in line with other companies.

Vishal's BATNA

Chris's BATNA

I'd like to stay here too, what could the company manage?

Chris's Bottom Line

Of course, Chris. We're overdue to review your compensation, and I think you deserve the raise.

I know the budget would allow for 7%. Or it could be 6%, and we can revisit it again in 6 months, rather than this time next year.

Yikes! Sounds like she's been looking at other positions. We might have to replace her with a new employee.

I know I could get a job at Competition Inc., but the salary would be about the same, and I don't really want to change jobs.

That would work. Let me double check the numbers and draw up the paperwork.