So Your Boss Refused to Give You a Raise (2024)

FAQs

So Your Boss Refused to Give You a Raise? ›

If your boss refuses to give you a raise, it's crucial to schedule a meeting to discuss your concerns calmly and professionally. Prepare a list of your accomplishments, contributions to the company, and market research supporting your request.

Remember that at-will employment is the condition that allows for you to be terminated at any time for any reason or no reason at all, so long as it's not an unlawful one. If your employer terminates everybody who asks for a raise, regardless of who asks, there's nothing illegal about that.

Thank you. Generally a company can choose whom to give raises to and they are not required to give raises to all or a certain person unless there is an employment contract that promises this to employees (which would be signed by you and them).

Each request should be considered independently, but there are no federal laws that obligate an employer to give an unwanted pay increase. The article advises employers to obtain written confirmation from the employee stating: The employee is voluntarily declining a pay increase for personal reasons.

Get out there and find out what others are willing to pay you. Schedule a meeting with your boss to discuss their decision. Express your disappointment respectfully and ask for specific feedback on how you can improve to increase your chances of a raise in the future.

Keep the conversation going.

A rejection can mark the beginning of a negotiation rather than the end of one, because it opens a dialogue between the stakeholders. If your request for a raise has been denied, turn that rejection into opportunity.

Deciding when to leave your job because of a lack of pay raises is a decision you should make when you feel ready. If you've been with a company for more than two or more years, have showed good work ethic and have asked for a raise directly but still haven't received one, then it might be time to move on.

Most of the acts enforced by WHD have regulations that prohibit retaliation, harassment, intimidation or the taking of adverse action against employees for: Inquiring about their pay, hours of work or other rights. Asserting their worker rights.

How long can you go without a raise? ›

How Long Should You Work Without A Raise? Every worker is different but most find that they should expect a raise every 1-2 years. However, comparing your salary against those of your coworkers and industry as a whole will highlight whether you are underpaid or not.

There are many reasons why your employer may not give you a raise, including performance-related concerns, the timing of your request, or the company's general financial health. It could be that your company is one of those with financial constraints, and nobody received an annual salary increase.

Sit down with your manager to calmly and constructively discuss the issue. Perhaps there genuinely isn't enough budget due to economic events or business performance. Most of us have heard this excuse in the past, and, although it's disappointing, at least you know your performance isn't the issue.

Also known as a no-raise promotion, a dry promotion is when a worker gets an upgraded title and more job responsibilities, but without an upgrade in compensation.

Asking for a raise is tricky. Can an employer fire you for asking for a raise? Yes. More often than not, that only happens in toxic work environments, as it's a bad workplace practice.

Deciding when to leave your job because of a lack of pay raises is a decision you should make when you feel ready. If you've been with a company for more than two or more years, have showed good work ethic and have asked for a raise directly but still haven't received one, then it might be time to move on.

Talk to Your Boss

You can start the process by writing your own, using your knowledge of your job and by researching job sites to see what other companies are looking for in people who do this work. Explain gently why you think you're entitled to a higher pay increase, and be prepared to argue your position.

Thank your boss for the salary bump and recognition they've already given you, and then explain why you believe the number should be reconsidered. Share your big accomplishments, as well as the salary data you've gathered, to back up why you would like your manager to reconsider your raise.