"You deserve a raise, but sorry, we have no money to pay increases this year."

How could (or not) that respond at this stage? Acceptance? Tolerance? Or you see a chance to turn his stellar performance appraisal else of value?

Yes, even budget cuts and wage freezes in relation to the Great Recession, you have options. Can you think of at least one? If not, let it be a reminder that women are taught to accept the status quo, putting a blind on ways to improve their circumstances.

Armed with this awareness, the challenge to ask his manager for an agreement that compensates for with – if not more money over time – more.

Since the organization is not able to increase my compensation On this occasion, I would propose another way of acknowledging my work performance, which also increased my productivity and job satisfaction. Would you interested in hearing about it?

What wise manager would not say yes to that? Then submit your proposal to every other Friday out without loss of pay. How is that possible? Take a look.

His proposal would be scheduled to work 72 hours over two week periods, throughout the year.

• First week: Monday to Friday (40 hours)
• Second week: Monday to Thursday (32 hours)

Work schedules that only 10% less than the standards, making it relatively manageable for your boss – and your budget.

(As a salaried professional, is likely to work more than eight hours a day. You can still make their case because of the reduced hours of taking every other Friday off would be proportional to the split 40/32).

Negotiation times 10% less in general, means a 10% reduction in pay. At face value, 10% (in hours) may seem much ask, rather than a raise. And it is. After all, the average increase of employees, nonunion white-collar workers, the executive is in the range 3-5%, depending on what is happening with the economy. (And in 2009 the average increase was only 2.2%, with some employees experience freezing wages, if they kept their jobs at all).

However, because nothing costs your employer direct dollars to more free time, you may negotiate the same eight hours of rest (10%) as a change for a pay rise.

If that does not fly, keep talking. You may be able to find a solution acceptable compromise. For example, offer to take a 5% pay cut for its 10% cut in hours, ie eight hours every two weeks. In essence, you gets a raise per hour (for the number of hours worked), no cost to your employer.

Then the next year when the budget is better, keep the every-other-Friday-off schedule you have established and accepted The dollar increase in salary.

So next time you hear "no money this year" for a raise, use this time outside the free trade strategy.

Flexible work adviser and pay raise coach Pat Katepoo equips career women to negotiate for more time and money at their current job. Will your boss say YES to your request for a flexible work arrangement? Find out using this quick 3-question quiz. Find more tools and tactics for a flexible work life at WorkOptions.com.

How to Negotiate a Salary