Should bosses get annoyed when their employees ask for a raise? - Comparably | Comparably

Should bosses get annoyed when their employees ask for a raise?

Leadership

Thanks! Your answer has been posted anonymously.

Your answer will be posted publicly. Please don't submit any personal information.

49 Answers

  • 0
    Helpful

    Are they kicking butt or just want more money? It totally depends on why they are asking, and most importantly, what kind of employee they are. They have been times that I have worked multiple jobs because I wanted more money and no company is required to give someone more money just because they warm a chair.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Absolutely not! Unless they are overpaid and underperforming. I work for a non-profit and we are expected to do the work of at least 2 people and are very rarely given raises! I absolutely DEMANDED a raise, with substantial supporting information and was treated OK, and given about half of what I asked for.

  • 0
    Helpful

    They hide behind company policy and bring up any errors you have done

  • 0
    Helpful

    No. Great bosses will bring it up during their performance review, since many employees are hesitant and uncomfortable to bring up this topic.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No they shouldn’t. If someone is asking for a raise they probably really need one.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Simple answer is NO. More complex: at themselves for failure to anticipate the question (or sufficiently communicate constraints, expectations, & proceures).

  • 0
    Helpful

    NO. If they do, they're in the wrong position. People are (and should) always ask for raises, especially with how inflation has been. The only exception I could see would be folks that already make over 6 figures.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Not at all. Employees have every right to ask for a raise, but they don’t always have the place to get a raise. Regardless, managers shouldn’t get annoyed with their employees for asking.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No they should be paying them a decent wage to begin with. The hard work of the employees is what has made their company successful.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No - it's a legitimate conversation

  • 0
    Helpful

    No. But the employee should definitely have support to back up their claim. It cannot an unfounded request

  • 0
    Helpful

    No... Because if the company paid fair market or above, there wouldn't be a need to ask.

  • 0
    Helpful

    If the employee is asking very hour of every day, yes.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Definitely, the shouldn't. They should ask the reasons for the employee to get the raise and evaluate that.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No. Providing employees are approaching them in a professional manner, aren’t asking constantly without proving why it’s deserved.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Absolutely

  • 0
    Helpful

    No because they need to think they where in same position before as the employee

  • 0
    Helpful

    No. You can't blame someone for asking. And bosses should always carefully consider what the person is requesting and whether or not they have a point. Maybe they really do deserve a raise and if they don't ask, that boss might never give it to them. It's also a clue - if they don't get the raise or a clear explanation of what they need to accomplish in order to get it, they are probably looking for a move.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Yes because seemingly it now has to go thru a chain of command to get approved (which is alot of work on the direct manager)

  • 0
    Helpful

    No. The manager is there to enable to success of their team and align toward company results. If the manager agrees the employee deserves a raise, they should work with the employee to get what they want, while also being conscious of and transparent about business constraints. If the manager does not agree, the manager should help set expectations for what is needed from the employee to merit an increase.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Of course not

  • 0
    Helpful

    yes. Its pretty established that raises are given annually and at a fixed rate. Performance has little to do with a raise anymore. Merit raises are a thing of the past.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Not if that employee is a good one and deserves a raise

  • 0
    Helpful

    Only if the employee doesn't really deserve the raise

  • 0
    Helpful

    No. It is an opportunity to begin a conversation regarding performance, career growth, areas of improvement, strengths, etc. regardless of if the candidate is, or is not, ready for raise/promotion.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No, if the employee feels they deserve a raise the best course of action would be to have an open AND honest discussion with that employee understand why they are asking for a raise. If afterwards you still don't think you can provide the raise they want or a raise at all politely inform them of the decision and explain your reasoning.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No it is not good for the relationship at all.

  • 0
    Helpful

    It depends on how long the employee has been there

  • 0
    Helpful

    It depends on the employee whose asking. If it’s a great employee, no they shouldn’t be. The employee just wants to know that they are valued. It’s a slacker, yes, be annoyed!

  • 0
    Helpful

    Shouldn't get annoyed, people are going to ask every year or so if they feel they are doing a good job, they have to. The cost of living goes up every year, now insurance costs jump way up every year, even with a good raise, paychecks are getting less and less.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Absolutely not. Managers should be happy their staff are being direct with them about their needs. A raise is usually far cheaper than the overall cost of a valued individual leaving.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Nope; how would they feel in the same situation?

  • 0
    Helpful

    Not if they can justify the pay raise through examples of increased responsibility and a salary comparison of like positions.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No. It’s normal

  • 0
    Helpful

    No. They should be open and willing to discuss why the employee thinks they deserve a raise. Any manager who would get annoyed or angry at an employee who asks for a raise should not be in management.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Only if the employee asks in an annoying way... no, the real answer is no. Professional bosses should handle such requests in a professional and respectful manner.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No! If the company is driving forces (Products) in the Marketplace, and the profits are their, I believe it should not be looked upon as a negative. Just as companies strive for profits and increased revenue, an employee should strive for income scaling by asking for a raise.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No, we’re working harder, producing more, accepting additional responsibilities. Employing razor sharp efficiency and then at best get an inflation based increase?

  • 0
    Helpful

    No - bosses should stop fearing to offer them... appreciate your people. Do not make them have to ask for what they deserve. This is the problem... This is the slippery slope to the squeaky wheel always getting the grease. Most of us work hard TO BE REWARDED - not to have to then ask for what we have earned by our efforts.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No. Unless using fear is how they manage.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Absolutely not. They should meet with the employee to discuss their question honestly.

  • 0
    Helpful

    absolutely not

  • 0
    Helpful

    No, it never hurts to ask. All they can say is yes or no.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No. Managers need to listen hard to understand what employees need.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No. Employee's have a primary responsibility to take care of their family and to be compensated fairly for their efforts. Only a small number of companies, in my experience, will pro-actively adjust compensation based on increased skill, experience and time with the company.

  • 0
    Helpful

    No. For me they should even go further and anticipate it

  • 0
    Helpful

    Only if it occurs frequently, maybe every 1-2 months, or if the employee was just reprimanded for something.

  • 0
    Helpful

    It depends on the situation. If it's an annual merit raise, no. If it's because the employee is doing more than their assigned job duties or has improved skills or learned new skills, no. If it's simply because the employee thinks they deserve more money, then probably yes.

  • 0
    Helpful

    Yes. Many bosses these days fail to control the purse strings at a company. They must navigate nearly impossible red tape, bureaucracy, and the dreaded HR gauntlet. This complicates things as all people in that chain seek higher compensation for themselves and are sometimes denied. Repeating that process for someone else is not always welcome. This system is broken.