Workplace

In light of the rocky economy and mounting job losses, now probably isn’t the best time to ask for a raise, said Sunny Freeman in The Toronto Star. “But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try—as long as you make a case that you actually deserve it.” Take a realistic look at what you mean to the company’s bottom line. You’ll make a better case for a raise—or at least not raise eyebrows—by pointing to specific examples of how you’ve helped make or save the company money.

Before you go out on a limb, assess your company’s financial health, said Dana Mattioli in The Wall Street Journal. Needless to say, “if your company is in the red, and mass layoffs abound, you should probably put off your request for more money until business begins to stabilize.” Even if your company is in relatively good shape, your boss may be hamstrung by budget constraints. If that’s the case, don’t lose heart. “Now is the time to position yourself for promotions and raises once the economy stabilizes.” In the meantime, consider lobbying for more vacation time, stock options, or other intangible perks.