How long can an employer NOT give you a raise?

Question

One of my co-workers, in the retail store we work at, has been there over THREE years but has never gotten a raise. This is not the type of retail job where you earn commission. It is strictly an hourly wage. I couldn't believe it when she said she's been there 3+ years with no raise!!!

She did ask them, once and maybe twice, but got the run-around, so she just quit asking and for a looong time has been resigned to "never getting a raise." :-( Personally I think she should've started looking for another/better job, but anyway, not my biz. My question is: can an employer legally get away with never giving a raise? And if they CAN get away with this, is it common? It seems bizarre and disrespectful to me! (Oh, and the majority of the people who've been there almost as long as her, have not gotten any raises either).

P.S. I've only been there 5 months, so I'm not even THINKING about asking for a raise yet! heheh

For the record: this gal is one of the most dependable, loyal employees at the store. She, of all people, deserves a raise! :)

The management is not withholding a raise because they're displeased with the job she's doing. If that were the case, she'd have been canned looong ago. The managament has already shown they have NO qualms about firing people for very small, unreasonable reasons. :(

I think it's just a case of being cheap, since NO cashier has ever gotten a raise, even the loyal old-timers who've been there forever. The only exceptions are 2 pepole who went from cashier to shift supervisor cashier.

But come on -- what about cost of living raises? Heck, even when I was an inexperienced college student working in fast food, I got small raises every 6 to 12 months! :) And this gal works hard, and loyally, for 3 years, and gets NOTHING. Sorry, but that's just wrong! :-(

Answer 1

I don't know where you are. What state? Please call the Better Business Bureau or Dept of Labor and Industries to get the answer for your area. There should be an automatic cost of livng increase annually in your paychecks. As for how each person does on the job can determine a raise otherwise. For instance, the boss could be watching sales, and who sells more, and watching for customer service-how well each sales person does in greeting the customer, whether they high pressure to get a sale, or are too laid back, or just right. Or, it could be the boss either is a cheapskate, or the bills for the lease on the store etc. are just too high. Please, also do check with Dept. of Labor & Industries, or where ever they refer you to, to see about anonomously reporting this boss for not giving you or anyone a pay raise. I wish you and your co-workers the best. Take care.

Answer 2

Employers are never required to give raises, and they should not even be expected if the job is entry level or transitionary. Retail, fast food, assembly line and other never-changing jobs usually have a set hourly wage that also never changes. You're not doing more or earning the company more money, so why should employers pay you more?

Employers expect people in entry level or low/no-skilled positions to either be promoted or eventually get a different job. Like at McDonald's, they aren't going to pay some teenager more per hour just because he's been there 4 years. They expect the teenager to quit and to have to hire new teenagers every year or so for the same, cheap wage.

It's all market forces--if you're valuable a company will pay more to keep you. If you're easily replaceable, you will never get a raise.

Answer 3

The quick answer: as long as you stay there.

In the US you are not required to give raises at all.

Here's the kicker however:

With inflation, no raise=pay cut.

Here's why:

US inflation runs at about 3% per year. If you get no pay raise, then the amount of stuff you can buy with your paycheck goes down by 3%, because everything is 3% more expensive. It is worse if you look at the costs of things like health care that have gone up by 6% per year in the same period.

This means that your co-worker has had her pay cut by roughly 9% since 2004 simply because of inflation.

Maybe the job security is worth it to her, and maybe she is hoping for a promotion to a supervisor position with better pay, but I woulnd't count on it.

Personally I would not stay in a job that didn't offer pay raises at least every few years to make up for this.

If they don't give you a raise, look for someplace that offers more money for similar work.

Answer 4

I have learned the hard way that employers are not required to give raises as I have been on my job since April of 2006 with the same pay. Inflation has costed me 174 per week and this money adds up. When it's time to look for work always check for a raise policy before accepting the job . It's always easier to find a job when you already have one. Research each job carefully so it meets your needs as I have learned from experience.

Answer 5

Unless you have a contract that states you will receive cost of living raises or a raise at the time of your annual review your employer never has to give you a raise. As long as everyone who is doing the same job is getting the same amount and it is at or above minimum wage then a raise is entirely up to the owner ,

Answer 6

Employers who do not give a person a raise (not even a cost of living adjustment?) are sending a message that they do not particularly care if that employee stays or goes. If others are getting raises and this person is not, they should be mature enough to demand an explanation.

Answer 7

i got hired as a consultant for a temp to hire position. i came in early and left late nearly everyday last year and didnt take a single day off. nothing good ever came out of it but a "thank you". "thank you" doesnt do anything for me. this year im not coming in early or staying late and using every sick day i have if theres no incentive to being a dedicated employee. i wasnt aware that employers had to give raises. its kind of an unspoken word that its done annually at the minimum.

Answer 8

It is very true that a company is not compelled to give raises. However most people would change jobs if not given a raise within a certain time period.

Answer 9

"WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE,YOU HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE BUT YOUR CHAINS" An honest days pay is long overdue by the U.S. Government and American Employers!!! The value you place on your Employees is the value you place on yourself!! An honest days pay for an honest days work is not much to expect from any Employer!! How much longer are these workers going to be enslaved by the U.S. Government and American Employers!! It is disgusting and revolting to allow the U.S. Government and American Employers to keep these workers in perpetual Poverty!!! Pay them a fair and equitable wage!!!

Answer 10

I'm not sure how common it is, but the employer is under absolutely no obligation to give any employee a raise.