Why do employees not ask for a raise and just leave? Why? Often, employees feel they’re not paid enough for what they do. And for many, it’s true. Some corporations tend to wring their employees dry especially when they have an all-around skill set. After all, it saves the company a lot more.
For example, why hire an IT specialist when you have a writer who knows web design?
Others say, “It’s probably just on Youtube! I can learn it there!”
Thoughts like these can subconsciously lead a company to exploit its employees without meaning to. Then, comes the terrifying part: the employee wants to quit! And many times, it’s because they don’t feel like they’re paid enough.
So, the question is: why don’t they ask for a raise? Here are some reasons why:
1. They think the answer is immediately a “No”.
One thing employees immediately assume is that their superior officer will just say a big, fat, “NO”. Sometimes, it does come to that. If the superior officer is adamant in giving the raise, they will pull out all sorts of reasons such as tardiness, absences, quality of work is subpar, the usual “you’re-not-doing-much” excuse. And if the employee is a Master’s Degree student, some may even use that against them to coerce them into other things.
So instead of asking for a raise, they’ll find another job. It saves them from the anxiety of talking to their superior and also the fuss they anticipate the request will make.
2. They feel their superior is unapproachable.
One of the biggest blocks of an employee is when they feel their superior is unapproachable. They can find them increasingly moody that it makes them feel that they can’t approach them at all. It makes them think that they need to have the appropriate timing. While there is a time and a place for everything, they’ll take extra care in approaching that superiors.
If it gets worse, sometimes the superior will hear it from someone else. Stories can get distorted and make things worse.
Other times, the employee will feel that their superior is just “forever moody” and would rather just leave. Again, this helps them avoid the anxiety of bringing up the topic of money.
3. Money is an increasingly touchy topic.
In all companies, money is a touchy topic. However, the reactions that accompany it are what can change the perspective. For example, if an employee perceives that the company is failing and not reaching their KPI (Key Performance Indicator), this will make them even more anxious.
How? It’s not even supposed to be their problem!
You’re right; it may not be their problem. But as a corporate entity, everything is connected. They are indirectly affected because that money is what gives them their salary. Now if they see that the company is not reaching their KPI and that nothing is being done to fix it, they will just not say anything about wanting a raise. Instead, they will find a more stable company.
4. They feel and believe the company will not listen.
Many young professionals dive in with hope on their faces that they can make a company better. But as time passes, they start to get disillusioned. They see how their small ideas get dismissed. They see how their voices are drowned out. They slowly begin to see that no matter how much effort they put, it amounts to nothing. For them, they think: “If the company won’t listen even to my small ideas or requests, what more something as big as asking for a raise?”
That’s why keeping an open communication line is key. By doing so, young professionals and employees will be more inclined to stay. Especially when they receive immediate and constructive feedback.
But isn’t that giving employees too much power?
Quite the contrary, it’s not. If you’re a boss, you still have the decision power at the end of the day. You can still decide whether or not to give the raise. However, if you really want an employee to stay, have a willing ear. Listen. Don’t always insist on your way and shut yourself from criticism. You hired these people because they were experts in what you needed. Be open to their suggestions and requests. Getting defensive will get you nowhere.
As for employees, learn how to ask for a raise through these simple steps.