'Pay increases are no longer based on merit': Employee decides to do the bare minimum after boss confirms her work quality won't result in a raise

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Oct 8, 2024 2:00 PM EDT

Sometimes, employers do not do themselves any favors. If they want their employees to work hard and to continue to apply themselves with the hopes of a raise or a promotion, it's probably not a great idea to let them know that this is a fallacy and that pay increases at the company have absolutely nothing to do with quality, performance, and merit. On the other hand, perhaps this was the best piece of knowledge for this employee to gain in order to jumpstart the process of looking elsewhere for more meaningful work at a far more fair company… if she can find one.

After learning this piece of information, it became increasingly challenging for this Redditor to do anything more than the bare minimum at work, if that. She hadn't checked her email in a month and she was less focused on going above and beyond than ever before. Who can blame her? If subpar work is sufficient, then what's the point in bending over backwards?

Keep scrolling below for the full story and for similar anecdotes from folks in the comments section. For more, here's one story about an employee who exposes their boss's total negligence.

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    Cheezburger Image 10413613824
    via Vitaly Gariev

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

  • 02
    Management confirmed pay increases are no longer based on merit. I lost all motivation.
    via Clear_Statement
  • 03
    I was burned out before this, the review period before I went above and beyond for 4% raise that was really a pay cut with inflation. Still, I've gotten good to excellent performance reviews
    via Clear_Statement
  • 04
    across the board. But now that they confirmed merit has no bearing on pay, I can barely bring myself to do the bare minimum. I haven't checked my email in a month. I'm stuck going
    via Clear_Statement
  • 05
    between apathy and anxiety over my poor performance. My manager wants to have a meeting to discuss my decreased work quality
    via Clear_Statement
  • 06
    but what's the point. Bad work pays the same as excellent.
    via Clear_Statement
  • 07
    I'm anxious about losing my job (almost 5 years in this position) but I think it would hurt them more than me. I never wanted
    via Clear_Statement
  • 08
    this to be my career and it would push me to make a change. The office has been chronically understaffed practically since I was hired and they would likely have to start a replacement at more than what I make now.
    via Clear_Statement
  • 09
    Thought that's a small comfort. This is more of an outlet for my anxiety and frustration than anything,
    via Clear_Statement
  • 10
    but I would to hear advice, anecdotes or commiseration if you have any.
    via Clear_Statement
  • 11
    carmachu 21 hr. ago Yup. My old company stop doing annual reviews for pay. They just did a yearly pay increase anywhere from 2% to 4%. What's the point?
    via Clear_Statement
  • 12
    Clear_Statement OP 20 hr. ago Last year we were told that was temporary and we would be going to back to merit-based for the next review
    via Clear_Statement
  • 13
    period. Then they tell us it is permanent after we already had our reviews. I was pretty encouraged by how many of my other coworkers did speak up when they told us that.
    via Clear_Statement
  • 14
    Careless-Instance-26. 22 hr. ago It's a toxic place who cares. Be honest. I have no incentive to perform outside of minimum requirements because I'll get paid the same either way. End of discussion.
    via Clear_Statement
  • 15
    Clear_Statement OP. 20 hr. ago I think part of my problem is that is wasn't like this when I was hired; pay was competitive, there were bonuses and parties, etc. I like my
    via Clear_Statement
  • 16
    direct manager a lot too. But it's really gone downhill since then and I'm at the same point as a lot of people where it seems stupid to try/stress about a job that's barely covering the bills.
    via Clear_Statement
  • 17
    Unlikely_Egg. 20 hr. ago I'm in a similar position. The last round of pay rises were 5% if you're performing well (most people) and 5.5% if you're a top performer (rare).
    via Clear_Statement
  • 18
    I was in the performing well group but I just thought, what's the point in busting your guts going above and beyond to achieve "top performer" which is super difficult to get, when you only get a tiny bit extra?
    via Clear_Statement
  • 19
    That was the day I decided not to bother and just do the bare minimum.
    via Clear_Statement

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workplace-stories work stories toxic-workplace job work pay reddit thread Reddit company toxic-work-environment
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