Should You Accept a Promotion Without a Raise?

Most promotions come with a standard increase, but if you want a big increase with your promotion, you may need to look for it specifically below-the-line. An increase is often offered as a performance incentive for employees or in connection with increased responsibilities. In an ideal world, promotions always come with increases, but that's not how the business world always works. If you are offered a promotion but not a raise, consider what you have to gain and lose before deciding whether to accept that new position or retire gracefully. Studies show that almost 40% of companies frequently grant promotions without salary increases, and more than 60% of workers are willing to accept them. Accepting a promotion without a raise can be a smart career move, and an increasing number of employees are doing so. When hiring a new employee, companies are usually not limited to the same budget as they get when promoting themselves internally. Salemi says some companies don't offer increases as part of promotions, but are putting an additional payment for such an advance on year-end employee increases, so ask if you can expect a year-end increase. If you have been a committed employee for several years, you can use your loyalty as a point of discussion when negotiating a raise or promotion. Your next steps will depend on your particular situation and whether you feel that the company's offer of a promotion without an increase is justified or not. Keep in mind that sometimes a promotion comes without a salary increase, but it may offer other benefits, such as an annual bonus, additional vacation days, etc. Approximately 39 percent of human resources managers today say it's common for their company to offer employees an unincreased promotion. Refusing the promotion was evaluated quite negatively in relation to other responses. Monster Career Expert Vicki Salemi says many employees are seeking recognition and new opportunities, not just a salary jump. Unincreased promotions are becoming more common as companies get creative to fill open positions and save money. So why would anyone voluntarily accept a promotion without a raise? When considering whether to accept a promotion without an increase, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of the situation. On one hand, you may be able to gain more experience and recognition in your field by taking on additional responsibilities. On the other hand, you may be sacrificing financial security by not receiving an increase in pay. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether the benefits of accepting the promotion outweigh the potential risks.