Rant: People are way too scared to ask for a raise and it's hurting them

I keep seeing friends and coworkers just wait around, hoping their boss will notice their hard work and give them more money. That's a fantasy. I learned this the hard way after 18 months at my last job, watching new hires get paid more than me. I finally put together a list of every project I finished, the $15k I saved the company on a vendor deal, and asked for a meeting. I was nervous, but I got a 12% raise on the spot. If you don't ask, they assume you're happy. Bosses have a budget for this stuff, but they won't just hand it out. You have to show your value with real numbers, not just say you work hard. What's the worst thing that's happened to someone who actually asked for more money?

3 comments

3 Comments

johnson.paul17d ago

Sure, it works sometimes. But getting fired or labeled a problem is a real risk in some places. Not every boss takes it well.

keith_rivera1917d ago

Honestly, that fear of getting fired for asking is way overblown. Most decent bosses expect it as part of normal career growth. If a manager fires someone just for asking with a good case, that's a huge red flag and a terrible place to work anyway. You're right that you need to go in prepared with facts, not just feelings. But waiting forever hoping they'll notice is just leaving money on the table.

laurag7914d ago

It depends a lot on your workplace culture. In my last role, asking was a sure way to get put on the "not a team player" list, even with numbers. The risk of getting sidelined for future projects felt very real, and it happened to a colleague. That fear isn't always made up, it comes from seeing how management actually reacts. Sometimes keeping your head down feels safer for your day to day peace.