Why are Americans terrified to ask for a raise?

Have you ever asked your employer for a raise? A new study shows most Americans dread the daunting task.

A survey from Robert Half, a financial recruitment agency, found 89 percent of Americans think they deserve a raise - but only 54 percent plan to ask for one.

Thirty-two percent said they would rather clean their house than ask for a raise - seven percent said they'd prefer to have a root canal.

"A lot of it is just fear of negotiation," Robert Half's Billie Watkins told CBS's Hena Daniels. She said workers should always approach their boss with a strategy.

"I feel like I need a raise and this is why. Here is what I have done for the company," she said. "If it simultaneously connects with your performance evaluation, better for you."

A fear of rejection leaves many intimidated to ask for a pay bump. Watkins said if your bosses say no to a raise, they might say yes to better hours or more vacation - confidence is the key. Is it time you asked?

Another fear is the possible backlash of asking for a raise, including punitive measures such as potentially getting fired. Luckily, most bosses won't go that far.