Boss rewards frustrated worker for a job well done with more work and responsibility: 'You're salaried not hourly so there is no compensation increase'

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Oct 7, 2024 6:00 PM EDT

There's no motivation in life like receiving a hard-earned reward—our brains are literally wired this way.  When it comes to work, you might hope that that reward would be increased compensation that matches your increased contribution and efforts. But, unfortunately, at a lot of organizations, showing a willingness to take on more work is only showing that you're willing to be paid less for it, leaving you with more to do in the same amount of time with little to no increased compensation. 

Let's be honest: we live in a world where no one wants to let go of any money they don't have to, and if there are no outside pressures encouraging your employer to pay you more, it's not going to happen—just like asking your landlord to lower your rate isn't going to eventuate any time soon either.

As it's often said, "The second mouse gets the cheese," and sometimes being the first "go-getter" to stick your neck out is only going to do you harm. Being the first mouse in this situation is only going to spring the trap, netting you, in this case, with more work than your fellows. Meanwhile, you're going to be fighting your employer all the way to give you a raise or increase your compensation to match your newfound responsibilities.

That all being said, it remains that some of the best opportunities come from working hard for the right people who are willing to reward you for what you prove to them you're capable of. So, who is to say what the right approach is?

This, of course, was the topic of conversation in this online discussion after this worker shared how their boss refused to give them more compensation to go with their ever-increasing responsibilities. They shared their experience with this online community, sparking responses from community members.

See the original post along with some key responses from that original thread, below.

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  • 01
    "I can't live on responsibility."
    via Getty Images For Unsplash+
  • 02
    I can't live on "responsibility" I work hard, boss calls me in and congratulates me. I'm getting more responsibility because I proved myself. Great....my first question: what's the compensation increase for it?
    via ITrCool
  • 03
    We live in a global work culture where "more responsibility" is congratulated as though it's an awesome thing, but stay entirely silent on the fact that it also mostly comes without compensation increases and workers are just expected to do the extra workload and deal with the extra stress for free.
    via ITrCool
  • 04
    Companies often run to the "well you're salaried, not hourly so there is no compensation increase at this time. But we thought you'd be happy!" excuse. I've been burned by that too many times in my life and will no longer tolerate it. You want to give me more responsibility, that's great. I'm honored. What's the compensation increase you will be paying since you won't be getting free work out of me? Especially if said responsibility requires sacrificing parts of my nights or weekends?
    via ITrCool
  • 05
    "But you're salary not hourly" isn't going to fly either. I can't pay bills, save for vacations, or live life on "responsibility". There's going to need to be pay to fulfill it. You will, as an employer, need to pay for the extra work. That's just going to be a fact of life with me going forward and if you as an employer don't like it, I'll simply turn you down, walk away, and start work with another employer. "More responsibility" isn't a currency or a means to an end.
    via ITrCool
  • 06
    StolenWishes 15h ago • "well you're salaried, not hourly so there is no compensation increase at this time. That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Salaries can go up just as hourly wages can go up. Any employer that uses this line is hoping you're a moron.
    via ITrCool
  • 07
    samtron767 14h ago The more you do, the less you get paid. We've all seen hard workers alongside lazy workers, and how it makes no difference. Only do what you're required to do and no more.
    via ITrCool
  • 08
    DimentoGraven 14h ago. Here's a response for you, usually gets the point across: "Ok boss, let's turn this around a bit - a customer with a contract with the company comes to us and says, 'Congratulations, because you're company has proven it can deliver, we're asking for more work and product from you, no extra pay from of us of course, you should be
    via ITrCool
  • 09
    honored at the recognition of your company's effort.' Would the company accept doing more work for the customer for free? Of course not, that would be silly. So how is it employees are expected to provide. extra-work, for free? You see how silly this is? Before I take on any additional responsibilities I'm going to want to see an increase in compensation. Until then,
    via ITrCool
  • 10
    I'll continue with my current responsibilities. The company do business for free, I won't work for free, and frankly, neither should you."
    via ITrCool
  • 11
    KingKoopaz • 13h ago Yeah they did that to me at my last job. I was holding out for a raise/but then didn't even get my time- based bonus after 2 years so I quit. And now my life is WAY CALMER OMG I can breathe and I'm living again instead of surviving for Pennies
    via ITrCool
  • 12
    Neat-Item 13h ago . "But you're salaried" that's ok, you can increase my salary then.
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  • 13
    To_Be_Rich_... . 14h ago • hard work is always punished with more work, dont let the boss use you as a way to exploit the other employees
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  • 14
    AlternativeAd... . 13h ago. Think of your career as if you were a company: your goal is to make more money while doing less, not the other way around.
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  • 15
    oldbaldad 14h ago . Getting more responsibility without more compensation is alot like getting a bigger plate without getting more food.
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  • 16
    Short-While3325 12h ago • • This is where I will start maliciously complying with more responsibility. I learned long ago they can say refusal is insubordination. Want me to do more work? Absolutely. They may take longer though since it's a new task and I want to do my best. Other tasks may fall to the wayside though. And if they interfere with sales, I'm happily letting the sales team know who's standing in the way of their commission.
    via ITrCool
  • 17
    Botinha93 12h ago. • I had a conversation with a boss many years ago, keep in mind not every boss is so receptive to "truth". He was talking to me about assuming a new position with a extremely different expectations and obligations. I asked how much was the salary, he said we would talk about it latter, i said i needed to know, so he said "we are legally allowed to allocate you up to 1 year without changing anything".
    via ITrCool
  • 18
    My response was, that idk if that was true or not but what would stop me from getting the new position just for the title and immediately start looking for work under the new position elsewhere, since you dont plan to pay me for it. So he gave me the offer including the new pay.
    via ITrCool
  • 19
    Keep in mind i had a pretty good relationship with that boss so i was in a position i felt comfortable being brunt. But the reality is, you need things set up straight, well documented and compensated, never do anything out of good will only, you can do stuff to help out, but that help must come with the strings attached, you are selling your time and capabilities.
    via ITrCool
  • 20
    Hookswords · 11h ago . You are salary for the agreed position. With this amendment to that position, you'll need equal amendments in salary
    via ITrCool
  • 21
    Technical_Ad_6... • 11h ago • Minimum salary pay should be 100K. Then see how many former-salaried positions become hourly and thus get overtime. Screw corporations. They put everything and the kitchen sink under "salaried."
    via ITrCool

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workplace discussion employment issues antiwork workplace-stories jobs employee employment-discussion job work employees overworked-employees workplace Horrible Bosses employment in the workplace
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