Update: 'He then said... I need to pay my dues': Employee stuns boss by turning down job with more responsibility after boss lowballs her

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Jun 13, 2023 5:00 PM EDT

Should you really have to "pay your dues" in a company before moving up to a new job? This person, u/Jessicasd12, is trying to wrap her head around the concept of accepting low pay in order to rise up the ranks of her organization. 

In a story shared to r/AmItheA**hole, the OP writes that after working at a company for a year, her supervisor is planning to leave. That would leave the OP to fill her shoes, which she was excited to hear. However, the title doesn't come without a few caveats. Though the supervisor left, the OP got radio silence from her bosses about taking over the vacant position. 

The OP and her boss see the new job in two different ways, leading to a bit of conflict. After talking to people in the comments, the OP gained some perspective on the situation, and added in a few edits to update everyone. 

After that, check out these hilariously incompetent people. 

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 9772946176
    via Eduardo Alexandre on Unsplash
  • 02
    Font - r/AmItheA u/Jessicasd12 As Posted by Aficionado [12] AITA for refusing a position my boss thought I would accept? Not the A-hole Sorry, it's a long story. TLDR at the bottom. I started at this new company about a year ago, and I've been doing very well. There have been hints dropped that once my current supervisor leaves, I would take her position (she's been talking about moving out of state for a while).
    via u/Jessicasd12
  • 03
    Font - I was excited about that idea because her position is "regional" and I would love to have that title on my resume. Well, she gave notice and is leaving on June 6th. I was asked if I wanted to take on some of her responsibilities. When I asked about the title and pay, I did not receive a response.
    via u/Jessicasd12
  • 04
    Font - Two days passed, and the main boss man calls me, essentially saying that I didn't show proper appreciation for the offer and that my response was tactless. He then tells me a story about how he once took a pay decrease in order to get more experience. My response was that I already knew about the responsibilities he expected me to take on, I knew the location, I knew the coworkers. The only questions I had were the ones I asked, and I was direct in order to save time, because I know they
    via u/Jessicasd12
  • 05
    Font - He then said that he's not going to just give me the regional role, that I need to pay my dues. The position they would move me to now would pay another $2-$3/hour. He and I both know that the workload increase is worth a minimum of $5-$7/hour.
    via u/Jessicasd12
  • 06
    Font - I reminded him that I am essentially already filling the role as regional, and that just because I've only been with this company for a year, does not discredit the prior experience I have. He asked if I wanted the position, and I said that my current job is perfect for me, and he would have to bribe me out of it. He's upset with me because he assumed I wanted the role, since hints had been dropped for a while now and I seemed eager to take it. But, he never directly asked me about it, so
    via u/Jessicasd12
  • 07
    Font - I feel justified and proud of myself for not allowing myself to be taken advantage of, but I do feel bad that I am not doing what was expected of me. TLDR: Boss tried to give me more responsibilities with no title change and a tiny raise to absorb a position that is worth a much bigger raise and title boost. I am not going along with it as he expected, and now he's upset with me.
    via u/Jessicasd12
  • 08
    Font - EDIT: Thank you all for the validation. This was a new experience for me, as I am usually eager for new opportunities. I just felt shaken up after the conversation went down, but posting here has made me feel more confident. My resume is already polished up and ready for circulation. I'd hate to leave this company because other than this one issue, it has been great. If things get uncomfortable though, I will take the advise many have suggested and find a new job.
    via u/Jessicasd12
  • 09
    Font - Boss man is coming to my city on Monday for an exit interview with the supervisor who is leaving, and I have no doubt he will swing by for a conversation with me as well. I will stick to my guns.
    via u/Jessicasd12
  • 10
    Font - EDIT 2: Boss man called today asking for help on a couple projects (small ones that I easily have time for and am happy to help with). He said that he had gotten 24 applications overnight for the replacement position and is confident that they will find someone great. I assured him that I agreed, and that I am happy to assist with interviews as this is someone I will work closely with. Now that he is over his initial shock at my refusal, I think we will be able to salvage our working rela
    via u/Jessicasd12
  • 11
    Font - EDIT 3: Nothing has changed. I am on good terms with boss man. He wanted to make sure that me turning down the position wasn't a precursor to quitting. I considered it, but I'm content where I am for now.
    via u/Jessicasd12
  • 12
    Watch - 90km Commander in Cheeks [23... NTA. Though if you aren't already looking for a new job... might want to.
    via u/90km
  • 13
    Font - __dixon___ Parta pant [1] Yeah it's unfortunate cause OP handled it technically the correct way but prob hindered future growth at this company. Still it's good to see, stick it to them when you can, takes a lot of moxie to do that.
    via u/__dixon___
  • 14
    Font - idreaminwords Supreme Court Just-a [... NTA. He's just mad that you stood your ground and wanted to be paid a fair amount because he planned on underpaying you
    via u/idreaminwords
  • 15
    Font - calliatom Parta ipant [3] Exactly. He was hoping that because you're so new that you were still in the "trying my best to impress and not make waves" stage and they could get a replacement for your departing colleague on the cheap.
    via u/calliatom
  • 16
    Font - Ok-Climate553 A Aficionado [18] NTA he was trying to take advantage of you- with the age old story of "you sometimes have to take a pay decrease for the experience " this is bold faced LIE and never accept that. If they want you to take on more work insist a fair pay raise- bring comparisons with salaries for that role in your area
    via u/Ok-Climate553
  • 17
    Font - thetempesthascome. As ΝΤΑ Enthusiast [5] He's upset with me because he assumed I wanted the role, since hints had been dropped for a while now and I seemed eager to take it. But, he never directly asked me about it, so... isn't that kind of on him? He assumed right, you DO want the role. The regional role. Not the half a ed offer he's giving you.
    via u/thetempesthascome
  • 18
    Font - Medium-Grapefruit891. NTA. He tried to play games with you to get you to take the duties without the pay and you decided to pass on both and now he's left in the lurch with an open position. That said a boss like that is going to hold a grudge against you forever for this so it's probably time to start polishing up the ol' resume.
    via u/Medium-Grapefruit891
  • 19
    Font - Jessicasd12 OP. A Aficionado [12]] Oh, it's polished, lol. Hope I don't have to use it though. I love the company otherwise and have a great bunch of coworkers supporting me.
    via u/Jessicasd12
  • 20
    Font - KronkLaSworda C tain [198] I recently did something similar. If you trust me with the added responsibilities, then give me the title and $$$. Otherwise, I'm content to keep my current title and responsibilities. NTA
    via u/KronkLaSworda
  • 21
    Font - Jessicasd12 OP. A Aficionado [12] It actually wouldn't have even been extra money now that I think of it. The bonuses I make at my current position are on-par with the hourly increase I would be getting, so it would actually not even be much of a raise, if any at all.
    via u/Jessicasd12

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refusal boss aita workplace-stories work stories work coworkers quit supervisor workplace quitting
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