Employee learns his new raise is $2,000 more than what his mentor makes: '[He] has worked 50 years in my current company'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Sep 21, 2024 2:00 PM EDT

There is a dark side to company loyalty. This employee had been working with a mentor who had been at the company for 50 years. We all know this kind of guy. He's the one with very little work-life balance and a ton of confusing passion for corporate culture. He doesn't use all of his vacation days and he never discusses his salary with other employees. In other words, he has sold his soul.

This new hire felt empowered to advocate for himself and negotiate a higher salary, considering that he had added further responsibilities to the job. He ended up learning that he is now making more than his mentor. So much for company loyalty, then! We hope that he shared this revelation to his mentor so that perhaps this transparency could lead to an awakening for him.

Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions from folks in the comments section. For more, check out this post about an employee who outlasted his Karen coworker.

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  • 01
    DOLLARS
    via Money Knack

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I'm about to be paid more then the guy who has worked 50 years in my current company.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 03
    A week ago, it was someone's 50th year working at my current company. He is obviously a senior in his role, lots of experience and amazing at his job.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 04
    I'm friends with this guy and he proudly told me his salary. He's about to retire soon and if I work just as hard as he has done, I'll get a salary just like him.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 05
    He was trying to motivate me, and teach me the ways of life. I absolutely love this guy, im 3 years into my 'adult' working career and he has helped me out so much.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 06
    I've been offered a job and haven't told anyone. This job is paying $2k more then he is on. Holy f cow though.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 07
    Imagine dedicating your life to a company, just for someone with a couple of years experience to out earn you.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 08
    Whole_Mechanic... . 10h ago He probably refused to compare wages over the decades too because he thought he's being paid more than everyone due to "seniority" and didn't want to trigger envy.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 09
    Krispy Kreme725 · 9h ago If he's been with the company and owns a home more than likely its been paid off for decades and his costs are minimal in comparison to yours.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 10
    Perhaps he thinks that if he asks for a raise he'll just be put out to pasture. I wouldn't tell him unless he asks. I'm not saying it's right but it's an explanation.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 11
    traveledhermit • 9h ago . From personal experience, and as a manager who sees what a lot of people get paid, I can say with certainty that loyalty to your employer does not pay off.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 12
    A... 10h ago Edited 6h ago That happened to my dad. Worked his off, 25 years mostly 70-80hr weeks and probably saved his company. New guy comes in from corporate maybe 30.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 13
    They give him a sign on bonus of $700k and a better salary. It's been a little over a year and the business is in ruins, new guy and dads old boss getting fired. He along with my dads old boss fired every competent person
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 14
    there. My dad has never gotten anything near that bonus. Dads old boss and new guy will probably get severance. Dad got nothing from the company in retirement.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 15
    Apprehensive_Ad... . 9h ago Bet he's part of that generation that thinks it's "r" to talk about money. Just goes to show you, you need to advocate for yourself, no one else is going to do it for you.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 16
    Occhrome 10h ago . One of my coworkers has lucked out in comparison 40+ years at the company with no degree and makes more than his manager who has a degree.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo
  • 17
    But I think he is a remnant of the past. Back when we had pensions and stuff.
    via throwra_Yogurtclo

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