Can You Ask for a Raise?

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Can You Ask for a Raise?

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

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August 20, 2025 at 12:00 am

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Comments posted to this topic are about the item Can You Ask for a Raise?

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Doctor Who 2 SSCrazy Eights Points: 8218 More actions · Answer 1

I work in state government in the US. I've never felt like I could ask for a raise. If we get a raise (that isn't guaranteed), then it is always the same percentage increase for everyone.

Nevertheless, your article is a good appraisal of how things are today. It is very tough for a lot of people. My neighbor across the street; he is in danger of being RIF along with several others, as a cost cutting/budgetary measure. And people I know at church are in similar jeopardy. It is a bad time for many people, I presume everywhere.

Rod

jasona.work SSC Guru Points: 50217 More actions · Answer 2

I'm in a similar boat as Doctor Who 2, except I'm FedGov. I could probably ask about getting a raise, but I'm 98% sure it'd be a case of "we can't do that except during appraisal periods, and then it depends on the budget and your appraisal." So honestly, I don't even think about it, other than occasionally looking to see what's out there in FedGov land (right now? HA, there's a hiring freeze, so good luck) and from what I've heard on the private side, well...

So for now, I'm just keeping my nose to the grindstone and doing the best I can.

At least at my org, there's no talk of RIFs other than "we are not going to be doing a RIF."

David.Poole SSC Guru Points: 76197 More actions · Answer 3

I've asked and got a raise once in my career. In terms of knowing my job, working hard, and meeting objectives, etc, I knew that wasn't up for debate. I also knew that my wife and I were really struggling financially. We had 2 under 2s, and my wife wasn't in paid employment. It was either get a raise or search for a new job.

Initially, my boss said no. I didn't get angry or defensive. I had a good relationship with him, and I would still say he is in my top 3 bosses. I said, "What would you do if you were in my shoes"? No threats, no ultimatum, and I wasn't expecting anything more to happen.

He thought about it over the weekend, spoke to his bosses and said, "We've won, we've got a raise".

I would not feel comfortable asking for a raise if I were part of the herd. Negotiation is something I find incredibly difficult.

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Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 738683 More actions · Answer 4

Government is hard, as a raise often requires a promotion to a new level. Same advice and question. Can you find a way to get yourself pushed up another level?