When the Boss Says No: What to Do when You're Turned Down for a Raise

Asking for a raise takes courage. If you get up the nerve to have the conversation with your boss, and your boss says 'No' to a raise, make sure that you know the reason you were turned down before you leave the exchange.

You need to know why they said no in order to make a careful assessment about your future in that position. Some points to consider when you examine the situation include: Was your request unreasonable? Was it a closed 'no' or did your boss offer something? What was their attitude regarding your request? And lastly, do you feel that your boss values and acknowledges your contributions to the work place?

Was your request unreasonable? Maybe you jumped the gun and didn't realize it. If you have been at your work place less than six months, it was too early to ask for a raise. If you work for a non-profit or have a grant position with a set monthly income, your boss was not able to raise your pay, and asking them for one put them in a difficult position. If your performance at work has been sub-par, then it was a poor time to ask for a raise.

Did your boss respond to your request with a closed no or was something offered? Maybe they suggested you take on additional responsibilities, or hinted that you would be promoted in the future. These are encouraging signs, they show your boss thinks you're deserving but that you are still growing in your job. If they said that they couldn't offer you money, but they could offer you some other perk like vacation time or a title, then you should consider whether or not this is true. Paid vacation time is money, so if this is offered, take it and feel valued. If you get the feeling they are just trying to keep you happy by feeding you a line, it might be time to search for something new.

What was your bosses' attitude regarding your request? Were they polite? Regretful? Angry? You have put yourself out there, and even if you didn't get a raise, you just received some valuable input about how your boss feels about you. If they close you down without any consideration or discussion, you can consider yourself a cog in the system. This boss does not value you or care what you think. The work situation is not likely to improve, so you should look to move on.

Finally, do you add value to the company and does your boss acknowledge that? If you have made extraordinary contributions, then you should feel confident asking for a raise. They should be willing to work with you, and if they respond unreasonably, be ready to show them the extra effort you have put in and the results that ensued. Make it very difficult for your boss to say no to your request. If they persist in this vein, you're justified in using your contributions to garner a better wage at another company.