This is NOT about letting bosses off the hook when it comes to the bucks. Raises are great. But if you didn’t get a raise, is there something instead of a raise worth asking for? Well, there just might be. At least for now.
While we’d all like a decent raise as often as possible, sometimes there are real budget constraints. And even the best of bosses are stuck doling out a paltry 3% across the board — or some equally unsatisfying number. Or worse yet, no annual increase at all in tight times.
But that doesn’t mean the boss stops here — although all too often they do. “Sorry. Not my fault.” “Would love to show how much we appreciate you. But my hands are tied.” Really? Completely tied? Probably not if they think creatively. Even if more money is out for now.