5 Worst Times to Ask for a Raise

5 Worst Times to Ask for a Raise

When it comes to crucial conversations about your pay, timing is everything. After you have completed a detailed research about your market value, succinctly pinpoint your biggest recent achievements and go above and beyond, it’s time to ask for a raise, right?

Wait a minute!!!                                                                                       

Make sure you don’t ask for a raise during these five worst times:

1. Let it not be a MONDAY at least J

It is good if you are reading this article on Monday. But please don’t you ever think of asking a raise on any Monday – being the first day of the week. Let your boss settle through the week. Work hard till the mid week & then nail it at the right time.  

2. Just after you’ve been OUT

If you’ve been out of the office for a while—it’s better to wait until you’re back in the game before you ask for a raise.

Even if you are legitimately out sick or on vacation, it is not wise to return and immediately ask for a raise. Instead, get back to work, keep your head down and once you are re-engaged, then it may be time to consider such a request.

3. During Company’s Financial Rough Patch

Learn the fiscal rhythms of your company. No one is getting a raise just after the company announces less than expected quarterly earnings. This can rather backfire.

4. When Your Boss is in a Bad Mood or Hungry

It sounds like a scanty reason, but catching your boss during a bad mood could alter how this very important conversation will go. Read your boss—is she more of a morning person or a little more chipper in the afternoons?

We suggest (jokingly) to employees that the best time to ask for a raise would be right after lunch. Also, as a ‘morning person,’ early afternoon is one’s time of least resistance. First thing in the morning when Boss has rushed to the traffic & rain and just before lunch, when his stomach has priority, are the worst times.

So, why risk it?

In terms of what time of day to bring it up, after lunch and in the early to mid-part of the afternoon is a great time to talk to your boss regarding the hike. Everyone's blood sugar levels are up, making potentially tough conversations easier.

5. When you haven’t been killing it at Work – Just Need the Money

Raises are generally tied to your performance. So, if you just haven’t been killing it at work, focus on that before you start pining for more pay.

Don’t just ask for a raise when you’ve suddenly had some big financial issue. If you need more money, that’s never a good reason to ask for a raise.