'You're really shocked I'm taking it?': Guy scores a 15% pay increase with a new job after repeatedly getting denied promotion opportunities

Author image for Jesse Kessenheimer
Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Dec 10, 2023 6:00 PM EST

Over the last few years, we've all found ourselves in a bit of a financial pickle. Whether you blame inflation, shrinkflation, or whatever new economics term the experts are calling it, the bottom line is that life is getting more expensive. So a lot of working class folks are trying to get promoted, get raises, and generally make more money just to keep up with their expenses. But as many folks have noticed, getting a raise with your current company is a lot harder than it sounds.

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    Cheezburger Image 9847845120
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  • Despite the obvious difficulty and expense of hiring new talent, companies seem to be driving a wedge between upper management and the workforce by denying raises left and right. As if they could replace us all in a heartbeat to save a buck...

  • Well, one hardworking citizen finally got fed up with all the hoopla of his company complaining about lack of finances (while promoting every C-level boss in the biz). In a last ditch effort to get a bigger paycheck, OP decided to jump ship- and it paid off.

  • Scroll for the inspiring and temptingly successful story of a guy who scored a 15% raise because of his bravery.

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    r/antiwork. Posted by u/Remote_Emu_8871 21 hours ago I got a better job offer and you're really shocked I'm taking it? Title says it all.
    via u/Remote_Emu_8871
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    A classic case of performing the jobs of multiple people and being the lowest paid (seriously; I'm the ONLY person on my team NOT earning six figures for the same level of work/effort). So you go to upper management to talk about a promotion/raise. Of course, they give you the old "we can't afford it",
    via u/Remote_Emu_8871
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    while simultaneously promoting others, and even threatening to go as far as getting a contractor if the work load was "too much to handle". So off in the job hunt you go. You apply, interview, and eventually you get an offer and accept it. And the kicker: it's the same job function with the same level of responsibility you have now, only you get a 15% pay increase.
    via u/Remote_Emu_8871
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    So you go to tell your manager and of course they act all shocked that you're leaving. Even try to pull the whole "let's talk salary re-negotiation". Like is it really that surprising I'm leaving after all of this?
    via u/Remote_Emu_8871
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    Zygalsk1 18 hr. ago Do not even think of staying. Reply Share 1.1k BisquickNinja 17 hr. ago This, the moment you take their blood money, you are put on a list and they will get rid of you sooner than later. Better to take the new job for more money and just move on.
    via u/Zygalsk1
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    Cassietgrrl 39 min. ago This. Also, don't tell them where you're going. Dump all contact with anyone who works there too, unless you're 100 sure they are a legit friend.
    via u/Cassietgrrl
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    QuitCallingNewsrooms 10 min. ago Don't even think of staying... but negotiate like you are. See how far they're willing to stretch to make it work and then ask for a little bit more. Then say no and walk.
    via u/QuitCallingNewsrooms
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    charrcheese 18 hr. ago I've heard that 90% of people who stay after a renegotiation regret it within 6 months 791 Reply Share AtomicSamuraiCyborg 17 hr. ago They showed you their contempt for you when you asked for the raise originally. The renegotiation is just to keep you around until they find a replacement because they need you but now they think you're "disloyal".
    via u/charrcheese
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    abigflightlessbird 17 hr. ago They forget we can capitalism too. Great for you!!!!!!!!! 184 Reply Share VampyreOfNazareth 13 hr. ago Exactly, find a more efficient company that performs better, with better perks and pay.
    via u/abigflightlessbird
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    RahulRedditor 17 hr. ago threatening to go as far as getting a contractor if the work load was "too much to handle". Wow, so they openly said if they had to spend more money it sure wasn't going to you. K bye - burn in__..
    via u/RahulReddditor
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    Salty_Mongoose76 · 15 hr. ago The only way to get a significant raise or promotion at the company I work for is to find a better paying job, take the new salary to management and negotiate. When I get a better paying job, I won't be negotiating. this stupid game.
    via u/Salty_Mongoose76
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    nickrocs6 13 hr. ago My old boss kept blowing off my 3 month review and finally at 15 months gave me one, because I demanded it. He gave me $1.50 raise and acted like it was an amazing thing. It was so satisfying when I gave my 2 weeks and they had me write on a piece of paper why I was leaving and I just wrote,"found a better paying job, closer to home."
    via u/nickrocs6
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    UESNewYorker. 18 hr. ago I've said this before on another post but I'll mention it here. In my experience, NEVER take the match offer and stay at your current employer.
    via u/UESNewYorker
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    Pickledleprechaun 13 hr. ago Yup, the day I handed in my notice was they only time ever they were willing to talk pay and also only offered to match what I was offered lol bye. 18 months later and I hear they still can't find competent techs. Feels good to have moved on. Congratulations on the new job.
    via u/Pickledleprechaun
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    Zakkana 15 hr. ago SocDem If a business can't afford to pay its employees, it can't afford to exist 23 Reply Share AMonkeyAndALavaLamp 14 hr. ago Please do not consider taking that offer to renegotiate. That will only land you a marginal raise, more likely added responsibilities that will make the raise totally nil and automatically put you on their list for when the time to lay people off comes next.
    via u/Zakkana
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    TalkingBackAgain - 14 hr. ago Take the other job. If you get more money now when they first told you they couldn't afford it, it means you're being disrespected twice. Screw that. Stay in touch and learn from your old colleagues how many people they had to hire to replace you and how much that cost them. Under no circumstance should you consider their offer.
    via u/TalkingBackAgain
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    EcksonGrows - 14 hr. ago at work Doing the same job at a different place as you did last year should get you 15% just based on the way salaries are going so good on you OP. Get the bread. I'm in the same boat. Took a job that's LESS work, got 15% over what i was making and an additional 5% (15%) bonus at the end of the year (non discretionary, part of the contract)
    via u/EcksonGrows
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    St-uffy-mc-puffy - 11 hr. ago Let's talk salary negotiation?? Ha ha but I thought there wasn't any money!?!? What a your boss must be!
    via u/St-uffy-mc-puffy
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    shapeofthings. 11 hr. ago never stay, but always offer consultancy services at a vastly inflated rate, 4.↓ 7 Reply Share mrmukherjee 9 hr. ago They can always hire a contractor, isn't it what they said? Why back track now?
    via u/shapeofthings
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    MisterPiggins 9 hr. ago 16 pieces of flair Congrats. Me too. My boss was like "I guess I can't make an offer huh?" But his _._ knew I applied for it. Knew I interviewed. Never offered me , except for a vaporware job I rejected for no promotion and no raise. And now he's with my time and my co-workers leave before I'm off to my new job. After I put off leaving as a favor to him. I'm ¸ needless to say. Maintaining kayfabe is going to be a struggle.
    via u/MisterPiggins
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    _Chaos_Star_ 4 hr. ago boundless potential & revenant tones let's talk salary re-negotiation "We already did" Congrats OP, good luck as you move on to bigger and better things!
    via u/_Chaos_Star_
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    unvrlstn 12 hr. ago Lol they're not shocked, its actually FEAR. Who the is going to do all of their work for them and make them look good once you leave? Right?
    via u/unvrlstn
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    Miyuki22 8 hr. ago Agree to consider their offer and make it sound like you will stay without actually saying so. Then ghost them the day your new job starts.
    via u/Miyuki22
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    WomanInQuestion - 4 hr. ago "Let's talk salary negotiation..." "We already did and you said you can't afford it!"
    via u/WomanInQuestion

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