Your Boss Cannot Afford to Give You a Raise – Here’s What Else You Can Ask For

pixabay.com

You have been at your current place of employment for some time and you know you are doing a great job. Even your manager/boss has acknowledged it. Seems like the perfect time to ask for a raise in salary. But sometimes, “Ask and you shall receive” doesn’t go quite so smoothly.


With budget limitations or cuts, company rules and regulations, or some other barrier put in place preventing your boss from being able or wanting to grant you your wish, getting a raise isn’t always doable. That said, there are other avenues to explore and negotiate that can add value to your bottom line.

More money per paycheck isn’t the only way to find the perks and plusses you’re seeking. Here are three valuable things you can ask for when a flat-out raise is flatlined.

Travel Reimbursement

unsplash.com

Most of us must commute to work, be it by car or public transportation. Gas isn’t cheap, nor are tickets for buses, subways, and trains. Parking fees can add up, as can tolls and car maintenance. And the further you must travel to and from work, the more you’ll have to shell out.

As suggested by mindbodygreen, “Calculate the travel expenses you plan to incur each month, and ask for a stipend to help ease this expense. If it means you’ll be at work and meetings on time and safely, your company just might build this allowance into your contract.” Fast Company adds, “You should at least be reimbursed for mileage you drive on behalf of the company.”

While travel reimbursement may not add up to the amount in salary increase you’d hoped for, the savings will add up over time. Plus, there will be another chance to ask for a raise in the future, and now you’ll have your travel covered too!

A Flexible Schedule

unsplash.com

A better work-life balance can be as rewarding as a pay raise. A more flexible schedule can provide relief from stress and the ability to successfully manage your life. According to Forbes, “In a recent survey by Adecco, employees said work-life balance was as valuable to them as their salaries.”

Fast Company notes, “Time off and flex time might not seem like a compensation boost, but having the ability to shift your hours or work from home can cut commuting expenses and give you better work/life balance.”

Ask your boss if you can avoid traffic by starting the work day later and staying later, or coming in early and leaving before rush hour. Discuss working remotely a few days per week if your job allows for it. Perhaps you can take the nightshift or work weekends.

The more you have control over your work schedule, the more satisfied you’ll feel. It may not mean more money, but time itself is precious.

A New Title

printburner.com

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet,” but when it comes to a job title, some come off a lot better than others, in terms of importance and value to the company. Just because you can’t get a monetary raise doesn’t mean you can’t get a boost in business. You may not even gain new responsibilities with this new title, but it can give the impression that you are more seasoned and higher in rank. Plus, if, and when the time comes to seek work someplace else, your more impressive title will jump off your resume.

As per mindbodygreen, “A new title can be just the thing to reflect all of the interesting projects you’re working on and to boost your confidence and that of those around you.” Harvard Business Review adds, “It’s a signal both to the outside world and to your colleagues of what level you are within your organization. Your title can also have a big impact on your day-to-day happiness and engagement.”

Raise your hand for a raise, but if your boss can’t put their money where their mouth is, perhaps one of these three alternatives will make you feel appreciated. Good luck!

string(5309) "

You have been at your current place of employment for some time and you know you are doing a great job. Even your manager/boss has acknowledged it. Seems like the perfect time to ask for a raise in salary. But sometimes, "Ask and you shall receive" doesn't go quite so smoothly.


With budget limitations or cuts, company rules and regulations, or some other barrier put in place preventing your boss from being able or wanting to grant you your wish, getting a raise isn't always doable. That said, there are other avenues to explore and negotiate that can add value to your bottom line.

More money per paycheck isn't the only way to find the perks and plusses you're seeking. Here are three valuable things you can ask for when a flat-out raise is flatlined.

Travel Reimbursement

unsplash.com

Most of us must commute to work, be it by car or public transportation. Gas isn't cheap, nor are tickets for buses, subways, and trains. Parking fees can add up, as can tolls and car maintenance. And the further you must travel to and from work, the more you'll have to shell out.

As suggested by mindbodygreen, "Calculate the travel expenses you plan to incur each month, and ask for a stipend to help ease this expense. If it means you'll be at work and meetings on time and safely, your company just might build this allowance into your contract." Fast Company adds, "You should at least be reimbursed for mileage you drive on behalf of the company."

While travel reimbursement may not add up to the amount in salary increase you'd hoped for, the savings will add up over time. Plus, there will be another chance to ask for a raise in the future, and now you'll have your travel covered too!

A Flexible Schedule

unsplash.com

A better work-life balance can be as rewarding as a pay raise. A more flexible schedule can provide relief from stress and the ability to successfully manage your life. According to Forbes, "In a recent survey by Adecco, employees said work-life balance was as valuable to them as their salaries."

Fast Company notes, "Time off and flex time might not seem like a compensation boost, but having the ability to shift your hours or work from home can cut commuting expenses and give you better work/life balance."

Ask your boss if you can avoid traffic by starting the work day later and staying later, or coming in early and leaving before rush hour. Discuss working remotely a few days per week if your job allows for it. Perhaps you can take the nightshift or work weekends.

The more you have control over your work schedule, the more satisfied you'll feel. It may not mean more money, but time itself is precious.

A New Title

printburner.com

"A rose by any other name would smell as sweet," but when it comes to a job title, some come off a lot better than others, in terms of importance and value to the company. Just because you can't get a monetary raise doesn't mean you can't get a boost in business. You may not even gain new responsibilities with this new title, but it can give the impression that you are more seasoned and higher in rank. Plus, if, and when the time comes to seek work someplace else, your more impressive title will jump off your resume.

As per mindbodygreen, "A new title can be just the thing to reflect all of the interesting projects you're working on and to boost your confidence and that of those around you." Harvard Business Review adds, "It's a signal both to the outside world and to your colleagues of what level you are within your organization. Your title can also have a big impact on your day-to-day happiness and engagement."

Raise your hand for a raise, but if your boss can't put their money where their mouth is, perhaps one of these three alternatives will make you feel appreciated. Good luck!

"

What Is Kris Jenner’s Net Worth? 

Kris Jenner

The Momager May Be Worth More Than You Think… Kris Jenner is a pop culture icon for many reasons. While you may have watched her meteoric rise to fame on Keeping Up with the Kardashians — which originally debuted on E! — she’s actually been a fascinating figure in the public eye for ages.  As

What Is Kylie Jenner’s Net Worth? 

Kylie Jenner

The Kar-Jenner family is loaded thanks to their business prowess (and fierce momager, Kris Jenner.) Kim Kardashian said it best when she lamented that it “seems like nobody wants to work these days,” but these sisters never have a day off. And that’s why the topic of Kylie Jenner’s net worth is so intriguing.  But

What Is Taylor Swift’s Net Worth? 

Taylor Swift for "The Tortured Poet's Department"

Taylor Swift is a megastar singer-songwriter known for her narrative songwriting, catchy pop tunes, and versatility across genres like country, pop, and indie folk. She breaks every music record with ease, partially thanks to her die-hard Swiftie fans who follow her with vigor and buy out every single show. And with Taylor Swift’s net worth

Considering A Microwedding? Here’s How To Plan Yours

Microweddings are the next hottest trend.

Traditional weddings can be incredibly stressful, not to mention super pricey – many newlyweds couldn’t buy a house with that money. What’s supposed to be the happiest day of your life can often feel like an endless quest for absolute perfection – almost as if the ceremony doesn’t come off flawlessly, the marriage itself will

The Artists Vs. The Machine: The Dark Side Of AI In The Music Industry

Taylor Swift, The Tortured Poets Department

Republic Records

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become overwhelmingly popular in the past few years. The world has leaned full-force into technology and entrusted AI with, well, everything. You can see AI commercials, AI-powered statistics during sports games, and there was even a whole writer’s strike over the AI Invasion of storytelling and Hollywood. As I’ve watched tens