Is this an opportune time to ask for a raise? Or, given the recent spate of tech layoffs, is it better to lay low for a while?
The good news: Employers are giving their staff pay raises: The increase in wages over the past year climbed to 5.1%, from 4.9% in the prior month, the Labor Department said Friday. Salaries are still rising much faster than they were before the pandemic, when they rose about 2% to 3% a year. Employers and employees alike are also concerned about inflation, rising interest rates and the prospect of a recession in 2023. “Navigating the impacts of a recession is no easy task, but it’s important for employers to remember that businesses aren’t the only ones staying afloat,” said John Morgan, president at Lee Hecht Harrison, a talent mobility company, in New York.
What kind of financial shape is your company in? Pay close attention to the company’s quarter results, and listen to your managers when they speak about department performance, Heitmann said. At the same time, keep your ears peeled about whether your coworkers are getting raises or other benefits, she added.
Overcome your fear of uncertainty Break through your own personal fear barrier. “Lobbying for a raise can be stressful even in the best of times, and the added pressure of economic uncertainty can make it even more so,” said Thom Wright, global master coach at Ezra Coaching, a virtual coaching app owned by Lee Hecht Harrison.
Bad time, so, just don't ask.