Why Latinas Must Keep Negotiating, Even in a Recession
Economic uncertainty makes a lot of professionals freeze. But if you’re a Latina navigating tech, or any industry, you cannot afford to sit this out.
Let’s get into it.
Recession or not, companies are still making decisions about who gets hired, promoted, and paid, and those decisions aren’t always about merit but about who asks.
Here’s why negotiation still matters, especially now.
Underpaid Before the Recession? It Only Gets Worse Without Action
Latinas are already underpaid. That doesn’t pause during a downturn. It usually gets worse.
If you don’t negotiate, you risk being locked into a lower pay band for years because future raises will build off this moment. Even if a company “can’t go higher,” having the conversation puts you on their radar as someone who tracks their value.
How Cost-Cutting Disproportionately Affects Latinas
Companies will reduce costs wherever they can and that includes compensation.
If you’re not negotiating, you’re more likely to absorb the cuts quietly. And because pay gaps already exist, the impact isn’t distributed equally. The people least likely to speak up often take the biggest hit.
Being Grateful Doesn’t Mean Staying Silent
Being thankful to have a job and asking for fair compensation are not mutually exclusive.
There’s pressure to “stay quiet and ride it out.” But waiting until the economy rebounds doesn’t guarantee better pay. If anything, it cements your current rate.
Recession Hiring Is Still Happening, But You Need to Be Strategic
Some teams are shrinking, while others are still growing. Tech isn’t frozen, it’s just more cautious.
They’re being more intentional. That means fewer hires, higher expectations, and more scrutiny on ROI. If you don’t advocate for yourself, no one will do it for you internally.
Recession Doesn’t Cancel Bias, It Hides It
It just gets harder to call out. Hiring managers rely on instinct, performance reviews become vague, and raises feel “impossible” without explanation.
You’ll hear things like “market rate” or “team alignment,”but often, those are just placeholders for existing bias + budget pressure.
Negotiation helps surface those gaps and gives you language, leverage, and a record of your request. Negotiation forces clarity, creates a paper trail, and makes people justify decisions that would otherwise go unchallenged.
FAQs: Negotiating During a Recession
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No. It's actually more important than ever. Companies still have budgets, and if you don’t advocate for yourself, you risk being locked into lower pay for years.
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Ask for clarity. If salary is off the table, explore bonuses, flexible work options, or a review timeline. Push for transparency—even a no sets the stage for a future yes.
Salary Negotiation Is a Skill, Not a One-Time Event
If you’re trying to time the perfect moment to ask, you’ll be waiting a long time. There is no perfect moment, just preparation and practice.
Recessions are a stress test and negotiations reflect positioning. It affects the roles you’re offered, the scope of your work, your visibility, and who gets chosen for the next opportunity. The stakes feel higher, but that’s why it matters.
If you're a Latina navigating offers, promotions, or internal changes, negotiate. Even if it’s uncomfortable and even if you’re told no. This is your moment to take action and refuse to be overlooked.
Let your compensation match your contribution or as I like to say, make sure your paycheck matches your skillset!