Pronunciation: [wˈe͡ɪd͡ʒ hˈa͡ɪk] (IPA) 
The phrase "wage hike" refers to an increase in pay for employees. It is spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /weɪdʒ haɪk/. The first part, "wage," is pronounced with a long a sound (IPA: /weɪdʒ/), and the second part, "hike," is pronounced with a long i sound (IPA: /haɪk/). This phrase is commonly used in discussions of labor and employment, as workers advocate for fair pay and livable wages.
A wage hike, often referred to as a salary increase, is a term commonly used in the context of employment and labor to denote the act of raising or augmenting the compensation or remuneration that an individual receives for the work they perform in an organization or job. It primarily involves an adjustment in the amount of money an employee earns, typically on a regular or scheduled basis. A wage hike can take the form of an absolute increase in the salary, where the current pay is enhanced by a fixed or variable amount, or it can be a percentage-based raise, where the pay is elevated based on a set percentage of the original salary.
Wage hikes can be granted for various reasons, including recognition of exemplary performance, meeting or surpassing predetermined targets and goals, consistent dedication and loyalty to the organization, or to keep up with the rising costs of living and inflation. Such adjustments are often the result of negotiations between management and employees, collective bargaining processes, or based on the decision-making authority of the employer. Wage hikes can have significant implications on an individual's financial stability, workplace morale, and overall job satisfaction, playing an instrumental role in attracting and retaining skilled workers. Moreover, they can directly impact the level of disposable income available to workers, potentially influencing consumer spending patterns and the broader economic landscape in which they operate.
The word "wage hike" is a combination of two terms with separate origins.
1. "Wage":
- The term "wage" dates back to the 14th century and is derived from the Old English word "wæge", meaning "a payment for services rendered". It also has roots in the Old Norse word "vag", which means "pledge" or "security".
- Over time, "wage" became associated with the payment of compensation to workers for their services, specifically referring to the hourly or daily pay given to laborers.
2. "Hike":
- "Hike" originated as a verb in the late 18th century, derived from the dialectal word "hick", meaning "to raise or lift". The term likely evolved from the Middle English word "hikken" or "hyken", which had similar meanings.
