Continue to be harsh on saleswoman in recession (9)
I believe the answer is:
persevere
'continue' is the definition.
(persevering is a kind of continuing)
'harsh on saleswoman in recession' is the wordplay.
'harsh' becomes 'severe' (I've seen this before).
'on' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'saleswoman' becomes 'rep' (rep is a type of salesperson).
'in recession' is a reversal indicator.
'rep' reversed gives 'per'.
'severe' after 'per' is 'PERSEVERE'.
'to be' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for persevere that I've seen before include "hold on" , "Hang on in there" , "Battle on" , "Continue in adversity" , "Continue regardless" .)