This May Sound Weird, but Don't Ask for a Raise on This Day of the Week
No scientific studies actually prove which is the worst day of the week to ask for a raise, but there are certainly times to avoid based on common sense.
Asking for a raise is already nerve‑wracking, and timing matters more than you might think. In fact, choosing the wrong day of the week to ask for a pay bump could quietly hurt your chances of getting a “yes,” no matter how strong your case.
It might sound weird, but workplace psychology plays a big role in how your request is received. Before you can avoid the wrong day, you should also know the expert-recommended day to ask for a raise is Tuesday, according to Dr. George Sik, a psychologist at the UK firm Eras, which performs psychometric testing for hiring.
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That advise aside, there is no perfect answer, but there are pretty good guidelines. If you’re serious about increasing your income in 2026, this simple strategy could make all the difference.
When You Should Avoid Asking for a Raise
If everybody gets a case of the Mondays or is working for the weekend, then you likely improve your chances if you avoid asking on a Monday or on a Friday, just due to the general flow of how offices tend to work.
Mondays, when everyone is getting a grumpy jumpstart to the week, are typically very busy times for employers, as they generally have to catch up from having been out of the office for two days. Orders or complaints may have piled up over the weekend and need attention, and business itself often picks up as customers try to get an early start on the week. In other words, there are many reasons why your employer may be extra busy on a Monday and not in the right state of mind to give your request its due attention.
Fridays can also be a bad time to ask for a raise because employers, like workers, may already be focusing on the weekend and not want to hear your case. The opposite might also be true, with an employer wishing to get as much as possible done on a Friday ahead of the weekend, making them less available to listen.
Of course, these are two very broad generalizations, and things may operate differently with your employer. But generally speaking, you're more likely to get heard on the aforementioned Tuesday (or potentially a Wednesday or Thursday), but not the bookends of the workweek.
Timing Is Everything When Asking Your Boss for a Raise
The bottom line is that statistics show that 70% of people who ask for raises get them, according to PayScale. That's a remarkable piece of data that should encourage you to make your case. Just remember when it is easier for your employer to say "yes" instead of "no," and you'll be well on your way.
If any of these scenarios are applicable, it can be a good time to ask for a raise:
Your employer is reporting record profits.
You were recently responsible for closing a deal that was a big win for your employer.
You've been recognized by middle managers or others in the office for your contributions outside of your required work duties.
All of these factors should make it hard for an employer to say no to you.
John Csiszar contributed to the reporting for this article.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal or tax advice.
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