It’s 2019, and women are still being paid less than men. In fact, last year’s BBC analysis of data on the gender pay gap found that fewer than half of the UK’s biggest employers had succeeded in their bid to address the disparity. While organisations slowly come to the realisation that this is unacceptable, what can we as individuals do to ensure we’re getting paid the salary we deserve? Because, let’s face it, no one relishes the act of asking their boss for more money.

We’ve already rounded up the best books to boost your career. And we’ve reported the careers in the UK which have witnessed the highest salary increases. There are also plenty of tips on how to negotiate a pay rise out there. 

Now, new research has offered an effective pay rise tip— but it’s a pretty bold one to consider.

A report by the BBC suggests that women should consider leaving their job and company in search of a pay rise. It found that workers who stuck with the same firm in 2018 saw their average salary rise by only 0.6% a year, after inflation. 

In contrast, it also reported that those who left their job for another role with another employer received a pay rise that was seven times higher (4.5%) within a year. 

It suggests that a new job may make the most of the skills an employee has gained, while switching employer is often an opportunity to negotiate a pay rise.

Although changing job and employer is a bold move, it just might be the one to take if you’re getting nowhere in negotiations with your current salary. 

The report also says that moving areas could improve your chances. Big cities like London, Edinburgh and Manchester offer a wider pool of jobs to choose from, which often come with higher pay.

And, rather infuriatingly, the study shows that being a man or a person in your 20s also works in a person’s favour when asking for a pay rise. 

Although moving jobs is something that needs some serious consideration before taking action on, this is certainly worth thinking about. Hopefully, one day soon we will reach a point where such drastic moves don’t need to be taken in order to get the salary we deserve. 

Images: Getty