hi all.my question is when is an appropriate time to ask for a raise.i have worked for my boss for about 9 months in that time we have done 6 siding jobs (5 vinel 1 ceder) 4 roofs, countless gutter jobs and misc. crap all over the place.it has always been just me and my boss the most help we have gotten has lasted for 3 weeks.the houses we work on are in the 3 to 6 hundred thou range.i couldent imagine working for a better guy but money is tight and i could use some extra.and i was just hoping for some input as to when to ask or not to ask. thanks for your time.
Discussion Forum
Discussion Forum
Up Next
Video Shorts
Featured Story
Discover a concrete-free foundation option that doesn't require any digging.
Featured Video
Highlights
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Fine Homebuilding Magazine
Fine Home Building
Follow
-
Fine Homebuilding
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial Now -
GBA Prime
Get instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
- Home Group
- Antique Trader
- Arts & Crafts Homes
- Bank Note Reporter
- Cabin Life
- Cuisine at Home
- Fine Gardening
- Fine Woodworking
- Green Building Advisor
- Garden Gate
- Horticulture
- Keep Craft Alive
- Log Home Living
- Military Trader/Vehicles
- Numismatic News
- Numismaster
- Old Cars Weekly
- Old House Journal
- Period Homes
- Popular Woodworking
- Script
- ShopNotes
- Sports Collectors Digest
- Threads
- Timber Home Living
- Traditional Building
- Woodsmith
- World Coin News
- Writer's Digest
Replies
Don't know whatcha making, don't know whatcha wanna make, don't know where you live or what the goin' rate is, but...
You do. No time like the present. Worst case scenario is that he says "no". Even then, at least you've put the bug in his ear. Sounds like keeping good help is a problem for your boss. If he's got half a brain, he'll take care of you and give you what you want...within reason.
No time like the present, ask tomorrow.
add...... a lot of it goes back to when you first interviewed for the job... what did he say the policy was.. ?...
he didn't , right ?
so you 've proved to yourself that you are a valuable employee.. either you are , or you aren't... if you've proved it to him.. it's time to find out wether he's going to reciprocate... he may not know enough to have figured out that he needs guys like you... and you need guys like him..
it's mutual.... if you can help him make more money, then you are entitled to some of it.. if he's not smart enough to use your skills to make more money.. then maybe you should look around...
it's called career development.. with a progressive company... everyone conceivably can get ahead...
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
I'm with diesel no time like the present.
however don't ask when...
he's had a bad day...
right after you mess something up.. ;)
or if he is pre-occupied with something else on his mind at the moment.
I've always asked at the end of a normal day, always asked if he had a minute to make sure he wasn't rushed to get somewhere else.
Timing is everything. So whenever you decide you've had enough service to ask for a raise, be patient and wait until the boss is in a mood to listen, and you have his full, relaxed attention. Perhaps after completing a satisfying project and he's given you a compliment. You have to do it when he's ready, not when you're anxious to ask.
Good luck.
I think the best time to ask is after ya screwed up and set production back about 3-4 days. Thats what I do...
Darkworksite4:
Gancho agarrador izquierdo americano pasado que la bandera antes de usted sale
One summer, when I was a young buck, I worked in a mine for the summer. Being an underground mine, they had to submit, every year, a test of "rope stretch"; that was a strength test of the hoist ropes for the mine shaft. The new guy (Byron) responsible for submitting them to the gov't wasn't aware he was supposed to do that; one day, the mine manager stormed in, ranting an raving about how much trouble he was in; the mine could have been shut down, etc etc.
Byron looked up at him and said, "well, Norm, I guess this would be a bad time to ask for raise, then, wouldn't it???"
Sounds like I use to work with that guy. When I was a apprentice, This other apprentice had a severe attendance problem, He couldnt make it to work. I dont think He completed one full week. Anyway I over heard the boss talking to him tell him He needs to start showing up to get his hours (We had to work so many required hours to go to the next step) . The boss talked to this guy about 5 minutes. After the boss finished the guy said (Im serious now) "My Birthday is Tuesday Id like to take the day off." Needless to say the guy didnt last much longer. :>)
Darkworksite4:
Gancho agarrador izquierdo americano pasado que la bandera antes de usted sale
'after...he's given you a compliment'
I have had bosses never give compliments and I've assumed its because they were afraid we(the employes) would use it as amo for asking for a raise. Sure put morale in the crapper.
In my opinion, asking for a raise upon receiving a compliment is precisely the wrong time to ask for a raise, for many reasons, including the one you gave.
Personally, have never asked for a raise in 40 years on various jobs.
1. If not satisfied, look for what else is available and at what rate.
2. Consider going itself on your own.
3. Reflecting back (I'm not in construction per se nowdays), I'd suggest asking your boss ( is he the foreman or the owner, big difference, I'll give 2 different responses depending)
a. if he is the owner of your outfit, simply ask what you can do to improve your performance to gain a pay raise;
b. if the foreman, ask how you can improve to get recoginition in terms of improved pay.
Good luck.
The thing you need to ask is am I a good worker and am I worth it. Do I see me as valueable Do I think Im valuable to the boss. If you have doubts then be thankful you have a job, But if you think that you are a good worker and you seem to be smart enough to know who you are then tell him you like working for him and you like the work , and you need a raise as soon as he can, and also tell him what kind of raise you are thinking about. Dont be afraid , you can always find another job and he wont fire you for asking . you have nothing to lose.
I try to look at who I am and what kind of work Im able to do and that this guy is luckey to have someone like me working for him. He can leave me on a job by myself and come back 3 to 4 even 8 hrs later and see that ive done a good job. Abd that the customers like me and I can be trusted . if you can say these things about yourself then go ahead and tell him. just tell him what you think and how you feel. AND WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAPPEN SO YOU CAN KEEP WORKING for him .
Maybe over lunch or coffee break or ask him to talk before or after work .
dogboy
Don't just run in at the next possible moment and ask. Get your ducks in a row. Prepare your positon. This discussion will set the precident for future negotiations - with this boss and future bosses. Do some ground work to prepare a foundation. The worst that can happen is not that you don't get the raise, but that you loose his confidence and respect. Not a great enviroment to work in while looking for other employment. Be on your best game.
1. DON'T ask what you could do to make more $. I thought you were already doing what merits more pay. Asking will only set the standard, that the great work you have been doing is the benchmark which you will have to go beyond to deserve a raise. Instead, TELL him that and HOW you excell and bring a significant contribution to his organization and would like to see this acknowledged in your pay. Compensation should be commensurate with your performance.
Note: Not asking does not mean "demand." Be diplomatic. He'll know what you are talking about. Tell him what YOU want and not what HE should do.
2. Niether the market value of the houses you are working, nor the number of projects, nor what the co. grosses or nets is any of your concern/ buisiness. What is your concern/ buisiness is your preformance.
3. Go on a couple of job interviews to see what the market can bear. What are other contractors offering? This will benifit you four ways: a) It will inform you what the going rate is/ starts and what the wage potential can be, b) Give you a fallback position if things don't go as well as you would like, c) Knowledge is power. The more you know, the better prepared you will be and the clearer you will be in stating your position, and d) It's much easier to get a job when you already have one and don't HAVE to be looking.
4. Why should he offer a raise after 9 months if you don't tell him to'? That will affect his bottom line (ok, only for the short term). The longer he has you for $x/hr is better than having you at $x+$1 or $x+$2/ hour.
5. Step up to the plate and he will too.
Let us know how it goes.
F.
Edited 2/27/2004 6:24:32 AM ET by Frankie
2. Neither the market value of the houses you are working, nor the number of projects, nor what the co. grosses or nets is any of your concern/ business. What is your concern/ business is your performance.
I have an issue with this.
One of the all time favorite "can't give a raise excuses" is the I can't afford or "justify" paying you more.
When a boss brings up the "market wage" or says he can't pay more than this should be proven with Numbers not just him saying it is so.
He is making $$. if he doesn't want to give you a bigger share then he should at least show you the numbers.
If You and him are working as a two man team and he is making 6 figures and you are getting less than 1/4 of that then there certainly room for him to pay you more.
If he doesn't want to show how much he is making then it begs the Question " What is he trying to hide"
Hey Maybe he is barely making more than You.
Ok then.
But I'll be willing to bet he can pay a decent wage if he wanted to.
It sounds like You guys got your act together and are doing what it takes to succeed.
No sense in just one of you succeeding.Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
Remodeling Lead Carpenter w/ 20 years exp.
+ A Construction Engineering Degree
Located in Elmira, NY
Incessantly Whining Liberal
Sarcastic Smartass
Cunning Linguist
Family Man
Dog Lover (NOT THAT WAY YOU PREVERT!!!)
What planet do you work on? ; ) What the company, boss, owner makes is none of any employee's business. The boss does not have to prove what is or isn't in the company coffers. It may not even enter the equation.
There have been times I could not afford to give an employee a raise but the expense of loosing him was far greater. He got the raise. Other times I could have afforded it but the equation of cost and performance did not work. So, that worker did not get the raise.
The basic rules of the "raise game" are simple.
I. The employee states his/ her case.
II. The company agrees, disagrees or counter-offers.
III. The employee 1) Counters the counter-offer (repeat steps I & II); 2) accepts and 2a) Goes back to work, or 2b) Goes back to work while looking for another better paying job; or 3) Quits.
Things couldn't be simpler.
This is what an employee should walk into the discussion understanding. If the Boss is of the thought "I have extra cash so I'll give it to you since you are asking for it and BTW, why don't you look through my account ledger and tell me what I can afford to pay you." bonus!
If the employee wants to change the rules, he/ she can start their own company and establish their own terms or rules.
F.
Excellent post, Frankie. Can't add anything to it
John
Sorry Frankie, I keep forgetting that Honesty and fairness are things that get in the way of successful contracting.
No wonder why contractors are way down on the "trustworthy professions list"
;)Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
Remodeling Lead Carpenter w/ 20 years exp.
+ A Construction Engineering Degree
Located in Elmira, NY
Incessantly Whining Liberal
Sarcastic Smartass
Cunning Linguist
Family Man
Dog Lover (NOT THAT WAY YOU PREVERT!!!)
Frankie,
Very well said. But I do have something to add. Too often and employee goes into salary negociations looking to get the most they can from their employer. What they should be doing is finding a way to create a win-win, this is a long term deal, not a street side sale. Present your case like a lawyer negociating a plea bargain.
How you do this is obviously job specific. The boss is not your enemy, he's your partner.............think about it.
ie. does he really want you to work 60hrs, and pay 1.5X for twenty over forty? Or maybe the opposite. Do you really need all your bennefits? Can you get them cheaper on your own? What are your goals vs. his?.........Now if you work for a jerk, ie. a spinster who is penny wise and pound foolish, that's something entirely different.
Jon
Mr. T,
Let's say you are paintint the Sistine chapel. You realize you need a helper to work the bottom end of the hoist. His job is lower paint buckets down, re-fill, then send them back up. Do you think your pay as an expert painter have anything to do with what your paying the kid for extremely cushy work?
If there's a big disparity between what boss and helper are making, there is nothing stopping the helper from changing this. The way to do it is acquire the necessary skills, equipment, and contacts. Then he can go out on his own as a competitor of his bosses. That's the free market way.
Jon Blakemore
Im guessing that you dont own a business.
No, But if I did I would be honest with my workers.
And I'm Guessing you can't get anyone who as Qualified as me to work for you for more than a year.Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
Remodeling Lead Carpenter w/ 20 years exp.
+ A Construction Engineering Degree
Located in Elmira, NY
Incessantly Whining Liberal
Sarcastic Smartass
Cunning Linguist
Family Man
Dog Lover (NOT THAT WAY YOU PREVERT!!!)
Part of this answer depends on what level of employee you are and whether your skills have improved since comiong to work for him.
ie. If you started straight out of high school and this is the only work experience you have ever had, he has taught you a lot and invested something in you, possibly even at a loss for the first couple of jobs. If you have improved your performance noticeably since starting, it is time to ask, probably after wrapping up a job neat and claen when he is in a good mood about it.
or you might be a forty year old guy who remains at the same skill level you started and you primary assset is your dependability.
or anywhere in between,
But spring is coming on and rates often go up in spring. Sooner he knows that you expect something, the easier it is for him to work it into his estimates.
( Vinyl on half million dollar houses? GAG!)
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
Don't know that I'm an expert on this, but I have some thoughts.
Ask when the company is busy, or is going right into a busy season. (Like spring) Asking during the fall/winter when your boss is wondering how to pay the bills and/or keep everyone busy isn't likely to be successful.
Focus on what you're doing to help him make money. Telling him you're having a hard time making your house payments won't really matter to him.
Also focus on what you're doing right. Like if you're showing up for work ALL THE TIME. No need to mention that half the other guys on the crew DON'T show up half the time - He already knows that.
Keep it brief. He doesn't have time or want to hear a half hour speech.
Good luck - Let us know how it turns out.
I was thinking that women should put pictures of missing husbands on beer cans.
Add,
I think you've already gotten alot of good advice.
Ask when the boss is in a good mood and not in a hurry.
Focus on the benefits to him in keeping you employed. No need to badmouth others, he already knows they aren't good. Succinctly list the skills and other reasons that set you apart from you when first hired. Correlate to either dollars or time saved/made.
Don't focus on your needs. If he hired your twin (same skills and attitude, only no wife, 3 kids, dog, and credit card debt), you should get the same pay regardless of need. It surely is a practical concern for you, but it has no place in asking for wage. The market is what determines your worth.
Be prepared. He might get mad and tell you to go packing. Or you might get shot down, but still need to make more. Or he might offer you a pittance. Regardless, know what you're worth and if your willing to go somewhere else to get it.
Last of all, good luck.
Jon Blakemore
add,
Maybe I've assumed too much in my original post. Alot of the fellas here seem to be stressing the fact that you should only ask when the boss is in a decent mood and seems to have the time to listen to you. Go figure! Who would have thought of that?
I assumed that you had enough sense to time it appropriately. When I said "no time like the present" I didn't actually mean to call him at 9pm on a Thursday (day before payday for most of us) to bully him into giving you a raise.
Obviously common sense was assumed.
ah diesel... and assumptions are the mother of all what??
hehehe
I wouild say, the best time is when the boss is calling you at home for some reason, while he's taking up you're time, make sure you bring up the topic. ( after 14 years with the same boss, he's learned not to call me at home).
Where did you get the idea money is tight? Where you at? Construction is booming. Housing demand is there big time. Money is there to be made. This is not going to last. Interest rates are goiing to rise, (which will make opec hike oil prices) etc etc. We are long due for a construction slowdown. Let's see... '80, then '91, I was predicting 2002-2003.
Get your raise. Then make sure you keep this job. When it's time to lay-off help, it's most likely the new guy, even if he outworks the older help. (It's only fair that way)
Last company I worked as an employee for ..
I was all set to go in and make demands.
They wanted me to hire on as a carp ... then be promoted to lead.
Carp pay topped out at $15 ... lead started at $15.50.
So as I'm being roped into leading more and more jobs ...
and all of a sudden I'm the clean up man ... they'd get a job to punch list .. move that whole crew out ... then I'd move in as the clean up guy .... punching that list to nothing and dealing with the customer's final bits of remodeling anxiety ...
I also got a whole lotta their little jobs .... smaler kitchens and baths ... where they used to send in 2 or 3 guys ... me and my van load of tools would be sent instead.
Actually liked those the best ... more what I was used to .... more freedom.
So I'm thinking I've jumped over the "beginner lead" status ... making them more money at a much lower labor burden ... and not for the little bit of .50 .. that's why I passed on the lead job from the start .. too much responsibility for way to little money.
Time to share the wealth.
Mid Feb .. thinking by the first of March I'm gonna state my case and either stay for more money ... like a coupla bucks more ... or leave.
So one Mid Feb Fri (day after Valentines Day...) I get a call about 10 am ...
Jeff, when you're done over there .. come into the office ... can you make it by 2?
See! they're gonna drop another job on me ... dammit I'm gonna get that raise today ... or quit. ......Even called the wife to let her know.
So I go in .. sit down ... instead of a new set of prints ... I get a pink slip!
Followed quickly by the same old story as how the company has been losing money for the last 3 yrs ... going another direction .. blah blah blah.
I just ask ... first ... I'm being laid off ... not fired, right? So I can file for unemployment without any trouble here ...
And .... you're gonna be a real human being for once and let me fill todays time card for the full 8 hours ... right?
Yes to both ...
Then .... as part of the "new direction" .. I was handed a new set of prints.
For another small bath remodel .... this time .. I was asked to leave the company ... but come back as a sub.
Told them I was gonna go home and play with my kid for a week ... I'd probably be back with a price...
Then said ....
"This is probably not a good time to ask for that raise, is it"?
Ended up telling the owner my "master plan" ...
More money or I was outta there ...
we both agreed I wasn't getting more money .....
Kinda funny ...
the wife didn't laugh much?
New Rule Number ...
Never go to a late Fri afternoon meeting ...
nothing good ever comes from a Fri afternoon meeting.
Best part ... first thing that Fri ... I had to pick up materials to finish that job ...
the counter girl at the lumber yard was in a bad mood ... I told her Smile ...
"Nothing bad ever happens on a Fri!"
made it a point to stop there on the way home ... told her I was wrong!
None of the other guys laid off that same day thought it as funny as I did ...
Guess no one else was ready to quit?
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Jeff, I lived that whole story with you when it happened , but I enjoyed hearing it today all in one story. I always enjoy the way you tell one . I can imagine your kids saying later , "Come on Dad , tell us one more story. "
Now to all the posts here Ive read :
Look up here folks as Jeffs story is symbolic of business relationships . I call it marketing 101. The best example of what Im saying comes from a tv program called, The Gaurdian. Bunch of lawyers with out their feelings involved doing jobs for people.
One offers a deal and the other takes or passes with no emotion . The only thing dealt with is the business deal at hand . Both have two sides but the only thing that matters is the joining of two sides to make the deal . Then when the decision is over one way or another , " I think were done here ". Then they are off to another deal .
Ive had people that worked for me that thoght they were good , but I didnt . Ive had people that were good that I couldnt stomach . Ive had a lot of people I couldnt depend on . Ive had people that had something wrong with them other than their job performance that I have had issues with such as dishonesty for one example.
Its very possible that the boss is not making money even if they seem to have a lot of wealth. The bigger they are the harder they fall . The fact is, once rich people go bankrupt all the time.
Add, you must try here and if he doesnt agree ask why. Just have a conversation with out personal feelings involved. If you cant agree then its time to move on , for you wont ever be satisfied on disagreement. My father once told be that when a hand came and asked for a raise , you either had to give it or let him go. A raise will fix his problem and not giving it will make it bigger . Your better off to end the relationship and start with a fresh one .
Tim Mooney
Add, remember that salesmen knock on doors so to speak until they get clients that will agree with them . Most experienced salesmen live off established accounts. This is the same thing . They have dusted their feet and walked on to a lot more clients than they kept.
This man you are working for has qualities you may not see again . The next boss will have different ones to enjoy. Once a boss quits giving a chance to learn in the trades , he should be discarded or traded. A new boss offers the thrill of different opportunities. Maybe the next boss will give opportunity to better pay . The next rock to over turn in the path offers yet another chance at opportunity.
Move forward in your future and let the things in the past lay there .
Tim Mooney
about a week before that lay off ...
the job site foreman ... or customer relations specialist ... or lead carp manager ..
what ever his title was .. no one could ever remember .. I called him the Prime Minister ...
anyways .. he stopped by to check things out ... "help clean up" a bit .. collect the company tools that weren't needed anymore ... figured that later meant .. stuff we don;t want ya to steal ...
So he's a bit chattier than usual. Started talking about the construction field in general ... how ya just never can tell how things are gonna go ...
He was trying to soften the blow for me .... he knew ahead of time what was coming ... but couldn't say anything ...
He used a line I've liked and used ever since ...
"I was looking for a job when I found this one, and I'll be looking for a job when I leave".
Kinda puts it all in perspective ...
especially in the volatile world of construction.
Someone's always outta work and someone's always looking for good help.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
Jeff Ive got a new saying I picked up this week from the fire marshal. We were looking over a driveway in question that needed to hold up 75,000 lbs . [fire truck]
I said I dont know if gravel will hold that load . He said it says , "it shall" in the code and that means its , "going to".
So, it "shall "be done .
Tim Mooney
along those "it shall be done" lines ...
from a good buddy lead carp who's job't I used to sub alot on ...
"Make it so, Mr Buck .... make it so...."
to which I'd reply ...
"Joe, it shall be done"
for some reason ....... the customers loved those exchanges .....
'course .. this is the same guy we had the "extreme polite rule" in front of the customer ... always please and thank you, etc ...Mrs Manners would have been very proud.
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
"Never go to a late Fri afternoon meeting ... "
I always made it a point to give the boss bad news last thing on a Friday afternoon. That way he had the whole weekend to cool off.
I once made a $7,000 mistake. Just by chance, the boss learned about it at 3pm on a Friday afternon. Worked out great - It had settled into his head by Monday, and I hardly got any grief over it.Advertising is legalized lying. [H.G. Wells]
Thats a good strategy boss.
I like it because You get to go home and forget about it for 2 days and the boss gets to earn his pay by thinking about it all weekend.Mr T
Do not try this at home!
I am an Experienced Professional!
Remodeling Lead Carpenter w/ 20 years exp.
+ A Construction Engineering Degree
Located in Elmira, NY
Incessantly Whining Liberal
Sarcastic Smartass
Cunning Linguist
Family Man
Dog Lover (NOT THAT WAY YOU PREVERT!!!)
More likely the boss's family gets to suffer all weekend from him being distracted and preoccupied. I had a boss who always said "aim to start the week and end the week on a high note; you never want to mess up the weekend."
nine months seems appropriate....tell him your water just broke and you need the extra income now.
Be expecting
andy
"My life is my work"
You have been given a lot of good advice, especially by Frankie.
I would only add that as an employee you should constantly be evaluating your worth to the company and to the market in general. How do your skills and work ethic match up, not only within the company but to subcontractor's workers you see on your site and workers in your market? Talk to these folks (off the job) about what they are making and their working conditions. Explore all your options. Be ready to improve yourself, financially, yes, but more importantly in making yourself more valuable to any prospective employer or as an owner of your own business. This accretion of skills(including the ability to sell yourself) will be much more valuable to you in the long run than any mere pay raise. You may wish to leave a perfectly good situation to try yourself in a new environment which will stretch your abilities, teach you new ways of doing things, and expand your future. Don't limit yourself.
here i have an opinion for you guys that want a raise. try asking , if your boss tells you no then do one of two things. the first is to just be a good little employee and keep busting your butt to put more money in his pocket and put all of his kids through college while your kids have to work or take out student loans and pay them off for five or ten years. the second choice is to contact your local union hall. for me the union was the best thing that ever happened for me. from $15/hr to $33.50/hr in four years of apprenticeship. but it takes more than signing your name on a sheet of paper. it takes PRIDE and loyalty to the union.
Oh you had to go and do that didnt you!
I'm not in the construction business so take my thoughts with the appropriate measure of skepticism. After reading all the posts I saw very few (none?) talk about the GOING RATE IN YOUR GEOGRAPHIC AREA & FIELD OF EXPERTISE. In my field - sales - I find there is nothing better than talking to another sales guy over a few beers and then gently working the conversation towards compensation. If I find I'm overpaid I will continue to work hard and 'maybe' ask for a raise during/after the necessary 1 year review - but if I don't get it, no big deal. If I'm fairly compensated then I'll push a little harder because I think I excel at what I do and it would be a bit of a challenge for the company to easily replace me. If I'm underpaid I'll strongly, politely and tactfully make my case and either get the raise or start talking to the headhunters I'd previously been dismissing. :-) Going market rate is very important to understand, it will make your position appear much more logical and intelligent.
Let us know how you make out...
- Rob
I had been working as a trim carpenter for a large high end company. I had never asked for a raise...but felt I needed and deserved one. My boss was a huge Illinois basketball fan...and was a former Illinois starter. Illinois went to the final four in Seattle ,,,forget what year. I went in while my boss was on a high note getting ready to fly to Seattle. I presented my case....seeking a $2 raise.....got $1.50.....I was happy. I never had to ask for another raise. Soon went on my own
i always like to inject a little humor into that situation, right after you screw up is a good time to say " so i suppose this isn't a good time to ask for more money?" or the opposite when something goes well.
if you are thinking ahead and the work is going smoothly, meaning that your head is in the game, and you are trying to plan your next moves to coincide with that of your boss/partner, and you are treating it like it is your project at some point something will happen when you will get the chance, knowing that you have done a good job, whether the boss acknowledges it or not, to say " so i suppose this would be a good time to ask for more money?"
the humor will ease the tension, and plant the thought in the bosses head. if he dosen't respond to the hint look for another job before you deliver the ultimatum. if prospects for other employment are bad be sure to ask nice.
Just to add a new twist here, I've never(25 years) asked for a raise, not saying my way is right, just for me. Same goes for pay checks, I don't need anybody to ask me to come to work every day so I shouldn't have to ask for my check.
I always felt that the boss should be giving me what he thought I was worth, if I felt I wasn't getting what I should I went and found something else. I hate the money end of everything, don't like to have to go ask for something I deserve.
All that said I work for a guy down here in Austin, TX, I didn't get paid last Friday, seen the boss a couple of times and I know that right now he is struggling(his own damn fault) so I figured he didn't have the money in the bank to cover a check so is waiting until tomorrow to give it to me. When(and he better) he gives it to me I will remind him that I should not have to ask for something that is due me, better not happen again.
I'm going to use my best "Jeff Buck" impersonation, figure it wont be an issue again.
Doug