Should you be paid more for training new employees?

Many companies and organizations resort to “on the job” training – also known as shadowing – with inexperienced recruits.

Naturally, this raises some questions such as who is responsible for training new employees, and should you get paid extra for training someone to do their job.

At first, you might see this training situation as a burden. However, if you think about it, this can be a great opportunity for you to acquire valuable professional experience and skills.

My advice for you is to welcome this new responsibility because it will only benefit you. Besides, some kind of financial gain is almost a certainty down the line.

So let's take a closer look at the situation so you can make the right decision for yourself.

What does it mean when you are asked to train new employees?

You should take a look at what your job description says about any additional responsibilities.

If you are concerned that training the new recruits will distract you from your main responsibilities, then don’t be afraid to talk to your boss/manager about this.

Most likely they will tell you not to worry and to take it easy.

In fact, training the new employees might be a priority. If your company has resorted to hiring inexperienced staff, then you must be seriously understaffed.

Should you get a raise for training new employees?

However, training one or two people for a week or so is probably not going to be enough of a reason to ask for a pay raise.

Think back of when you started this job. Did anyone train you? Do you think that they got a raise for training you?

It really comes down to the specifics of the situation as well as your company’s policy and culture. If it is a one-time thing that doesn’t last long, then don’t bother demanding a raise for that only.

Most likely you will be refused, and seen as selfish and greedy. If the given responsibility becomes permanent, then you should indeed ask for a pay raise.

However, you certainly shouldn't agree to stay after your scheduled shift to train new employees without getting paid extra.

What will happen if you refuse to train new employees?

However, this refusal of yours may turn out to be quite costly for you. Collaboration and teamplay are core values at any company.

Your refusal to collaborate in such a blunt manner will reflect badly on you. You will be seen by your boss and coworkers as somebody who is self-centered and difficult to work with.

In reality, it would be in your self-interest to accept the responsibility and train the new recruit/s.

Can you be fired for refusing to train new employees?

Your boss and your coworkers will probably change their opinion about you. Most companies value team players.

Having the meta-knowledge that you are not a team player might affect a future decision of you being let go from the job.

Whose responsibility is it to train new employees?

Smaller companies usually have to “work with what they’ve got” so they resort to on-the-job training and shadowing.

Nowadays, most companies have training courses and procedures to quickly onboard new recruits and make them effective employees.

In some cases, the responsibility of training new employees can be shared between managers and experienced staff members.

Training new employees will be great for you – here’s why

As I said, you should totally welcome this opportunity and accept to train the new recruit/s. Your boss asking you to do it means that they see you as somebody who is capable and reliable.

So don’t break their trust in you and simply accept the task.

Later on, you might be able to bring the matter up and ask for a raise or at least some kind of a bonus.

Doing a great job with training the new recruits can eventually lead to a promotion which automatically means that some kind of a raise is due.

In my personal experience, being a selfless team player always leads to good things.

Besides, training new employees can be fun. You get to be their mentor and sort of boss them around. Perhaps you can show them how to create their own daily routine to be highly productive and successful at their job. They will look up to you and see you as knowledgeable and skillful.

Who knows, this might be the beginning of a beautiful friendship! (Keep in mind that new hires are usually placed on probation so do your best to help them keep their job.)

Key takeaways

• Training new recruits can be a great opportunity for you to acquire new professional skills and valuable experience.
• You shouldn’t expect or demand to be paid more right away if asked to train new employees.
• Learning a new job is hard so be patient with the new recruits.
• You can leverage this extra responsibility later on when you are after a pay raise or promotion.
• You will be seen as selfish and self-centered by your boss and colleagues if you refuse.
• Refusal to accept the responsibility may have negative consequences for you.