'Suddenly they could give me a $2.25 raise': Boss tells employee they can't give him a raise, employee gets better job, boss coughs up the money

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jul 25, 2023 8:00 AM EDT

They always say they can't give you a raise but nine times out of ten, the truth is they can. This employee had to jump through hoops in order to get a  0.75-cent hourly raise. Despite finally achieving this small win, he knew that he was worth more, as most employees are. So naturally, he started looking for other work and eventually received a job offer that paid $2 more per hour than his current position. Once he brought this fact to the attention of his manager with the intention of quitting, all of a sudden, his manager was able to offer an additional $2.25 raise. 

 

There are a number of issues with this last-minute offer. Firstly, it shows that they could have given the employee this more substantial raise from the start. They only took the employee seriously when they threatened to quit. Secondly, if they really cared about the well-being and loyalty of their employees, they would have recognized the need to offer better pay on their own and without months of pushing. That kind of awareness is, after all, part of the job of being a manager. As many folks in the comments section below suggested, we do not recommend that the employee acquiesces and accepts this new offer because it is only a matter of time before they find an immediate replacement. 

 

Keep scrolling below for the full story from OP's perspective. For more stories like this, here's one about an employee whose boss couldn't handle him calling out sick.

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  • 01
    Rectangle - "Somehow when I put in my two weeks notice the company magically "found the money" to give me a raise above what the new place will pay" DOLLAR
    via moneyknack
  • 02
    Font - Somehow when I put in my two weeks notice the company magically "found the money" to give me a raise above what the new place will pay
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 03
    Font - I've been asking about raises for months and received .75 but it was like pulling teeth. Since then all I've been told is we don't have the money. I put in my two weeks for somewhere that's giving me a $2 raise (which for me is good enough, they're all entry level jobs)
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 04
    Font - and suddenly they could give me a $2.25 raise. Somehow they found the money but I know I will literally never receive another pay increase if I stay. Honestly just frustrated it took this to get more money but I know that's pretty normal. While I'm slightly considering staying I know it's better if I don't
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 05
    Font - sillyslime89 18 hr. ago I've seen companies do this then fire the person once they find a replacement 933 Reply Share
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 06
    Rectangle - randomdude267. 16 hr. ago Yes the raise is only a stop gap measure until they find your replacement. 180 Reply Share
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 07
    Font - dot5621 16 hr. ago Don't do it. They will you. Take new job. 376 B Reply Share
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 08
    Font - Avey9ond 18 hr. ago They did that to me at my job. They abused what a good worker I was and ignored how overworked and overwhelmed I was. When I told them I had a new job, they promised to give me a raise and give me better hours. If they aren't willing to keep a positive work environment for you while you're there and only the threat of leaving provokes change, then you're best to leave. Especially because things would just be awkward staying anyways lol 140 Reply Share
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 09
    Rectangle - ripglobal44 17 hr. ago Just leave if the company is playing games with you like this 486 ♡ Reply Share
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 10
    Font - feyrath 16 hr. ago This was like my mortgage. I was with one Bank, and I went out and got a whole bunch of competitive quotes. Told my bank I'd gotten another quote better than theirs and what it was. He came back and said we can match it. I told him I didn't do all that work that they should have been doing. And switched. 63 Reply Share
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 11
    Font - COM . BigClit Mcphee · 16 hr. ago Back in Nov 2022, I worked at McDonald's and told my manager I was quitting. Best she could do was raise my wage from $11/hr to $11.50/hr. I quit and now make $12/hr. 46 Reply Share
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 12
    Font - RahulRedditor - 16 hr. ago A counteroffer means they've been knowingly cheating you out of the pay you deserved. them with a red-hot poker. 42 Reply Share
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 13
    Font - c0mpg33k 16 hr. ago . I'd still leave. This is a ploy and you'll get in the end. As others have noted they'll find a replacement and get rid of you. Run to the other job and don't look back
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 14
    Font - AcadiaRemarkable6992. 15 hr. ago Never take the counter offer. If they gave a hoot about you they would've taken care of you before you found another gig.
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 15
    Font - Nearly_Pointless 15 hr. ago Time to move on. They don't want you earning that much more than others. It is certain that they will resent you personally once others start asking for more. The path of least resistance to prevent others from asking for a raise to to eliminate the source....you.
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 16
    Font - Meta Digital 18 hr. ago Eco-Anarchist Take the raise, then look for another job that pays another $2 more.
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 17
    Font - RamHands 15 hr. ago If you have to quit to get a raise they don't value or respect you. Leave. You should never stay at a place like this. Plus you'll burn the bridge at the place that respects you more before your first day.
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 18
    Font - Karpo-Diem 16 hr. ago I personally believe that after a year if you don't see a pay raise you should give your 2 weeks notice but with the ultimatum that you will stay for more money. Good way to find out if your work is appreciated and if the company is worth staying at.
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 19
    Font - vampyrewolf 15 hr. ago Odds are that's just to keep you long enough to train a replacement... Then find a reason to get rid of you. Move on to the new place as planned
    via u/MaximumLake5737
  • 20
    Font - AMonkeyAndALavaLamp. 14 hr. ago Good for you for not taking that bait. You would have maybe collected one month at the new rate, just long enough to say no to that job offer before they you right up again and fire you.
    via u/MaximumLake5737

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boss workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace work i quit raise toxic-boss workplace Horrible Bosses reddit thread Reddit quitting toxic-work-environment
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