Posted By Paul Craythorne Karl, You are worth as much as your next employer is prepared to pay you. Regards, Paul Craythorne

Posted By Karen Todd Karl, You are probably worth a lot more than some people will try to get away with paying you. I had to take a very low paying job in order to get into H&S full time. I was told that they couldn't afford to pay me any more and that they didn't think I was worth any more. They obviously could afford to pay me more because in the time I had been there they (the 2 partners in the business) had bought a new Mercedes jeep, a whole range of office equipment, furniture and really expensive wooden flooring, and a racehorse (yes really!) - and the safety consultancy was their only form of income. I realised they could well afford to pay me more, but were not prepared to share their wealth, and started looking for another job. I was offered another job really close to home, they offered me an extra £1000 to stay, I said no because the job I'd been offered paid me 40% more. They choked on their coffee. However, this was a very small company with the office at the house so it was easy for me to see how well off the company was. Don't be taken for a mug. Some people will pay you as little as they think they can get away with, but some do pay you what they think you are worth and even publish their salary grades. Most people I know who have got a job offer but said they have wouldn't take it unless they got more money have been able to make the company increase the salary offered. Risky though. Regards, Karen

Posted By Dave Wilson Market forces mate, a lot of things have to be taken into consideration however the overriding factor is what the employer is prepared to play, not what you think you are worth, if so we would all be getting shed loads of dosh. However it is up to you to persuade your employer that you deseve more etc and if not then best to move on to an employer who values your contribution.

Posted By Peter Lee Mike, interesting comments, it seems a little ironic to me that one cannot gain corporate membership of IOSH without an accredited qualification (and experience), no one can gain employment in OSH without the requisite experience, and not many people get jobs without MIOSH !!! As for what you're worth well I guess its what pay you're prepared to work for. I was happy in my former job and would have stayed for comparable pay, (they paid for me to do the NEBOSH Cert and Dip 1, I was told there were no jobs and left to another company for double my salary ! Incidently they are looking for a safety assistant now but I couldnt take the drop in pay !

Posted By Andy Binstead try www.payfinder.com please. seemed very easy to use, and be nice to get some more safety input on the site to give us all a better idea - perhaps might just leave it open for the boss to see next time he walks past!