Higher-ups refuses to give a raise to employee with 10 years of experience making $50K, hires an inexperienced employee for $80K: 'I handed in my resignation. Boss and department head were shocked'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Writer and Editor
Nov 7, 2024 8:00 PM EST

How many of you were told that if you worked hard and were loyal to a company for many years, you would reap significant financial benefits? If your parents or grandparents worked for a company that gave out large pensions upon retirement or had great union benefits, they probably strongly believed that loyalty and hard work are king. But if you are an office worker in today's world, you know that you're probably going to get more money if you jump around than if you stay working at the same cheap company for 45 years. There are some companies where the work environment and benefits are worth not getting as much money as you'd like, but most people aren't working solely for office culture; they're working for a living. One employee recently found out that a totally inexperienced coworker of his was getting paid $30K more than him, and he decided to do something about it.

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  • 01
    ENTER TUBIN
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

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

  • 02
    Work couldn't give me a raise despite hiring someone for $30k more salary than me so I quit
    via Brief_Grade_6679
  • 03
    My field is very niche. I have been in my field for 10 years now. I was at my job for 3 years and in that time, someone on my team was hired for more money with no experience at all in the field. After 3 years, I came up with a solid business reason for a raise to align with my level of experience as well as my qualifications. The company told me they couldn't afford it.
    via Brief_Grade_6679
  • 04
    The next day, I interviewed with another company for a lead position as well as double my salary. Got the job and handed in my resignation. Boss and department head were shocked. Asked me what they could do to keep me. I said "give me a raise and put me in a lead position"
    via Brief_Grade_6679
  • 05
    Leaving was the best thing I did. I'm much happier in the new position with the new company and my bills are being paid, with extra money into my retirement and savings every pay.
    via Brief_Grade_6679
  • 06
    I guess an edit is needed since my "timeline" is not believable: 1- It took 2 weeks to get told no they can't give me a raise 2- When the company told me no, I started applying to new jobs the same day. When I say interviewed the next day, I was phone screened for eligibility for the role, qualifications etc. 3- It took a month for phone screen, interview, skills test and background checks 4-Total time to get hired at the new place was 4 weeks and a few days
    via Brief_Grade_6679
  • 07
    FinLandser Companies just gamble that they can continue to under pay their long time employees. That is why people are job hopping.
    via FinLandser
  • 08
    -GeekLife- Yup, my last job was vastly under paying me and the other cloud engineer. After they had downsizing, I ended up getting laid off and I happened to find a new job making 40k more. Best thing that ever happened to me and if I didn't get laid off I may still be making waaaay less. People need to be looking every few years.
    via -GeekLife-
  • 09
    thelstrahm They pay new hires more because they have to so the only rational conclusion is that they don't pay existing employees more because they don't. People need to always be looking. Even if you don't find a better job. Even if you turn down an offer.
    via thelstrahm
  • 10
    Even if you don't find a better job. Even if you turn down an offer. Interviewing is a skill you improve with practice. Getting experience interviewing on companies is a great way to improve your odds of getting a better job when the time is right. You will also have a much better idea of how much money to ask for.
    via thelstrahm
  • 11
    neohellpoet It's gambling in the same way a Casino gambles. Technically they're taking a risk, but they know the odds are in their favor and for every one person they lose and have to spend a good chunk of money to replace, that's nothing compared to the 10 people that stay and save them 40k a year each. They pay new hires more because they have to so the only rational conclusion is that they don't pay existing employees more because they don't.
    via neohellpoet
  • 12
    [deleted] I've worked a single place that does twice annual compensation resets. They bring everyone to market rate, twice per year. Market rate is extremely competitive. You have to be a massive outlier to not be happy with their market rate. Their retention was insane.
    via [deleted]
  • 13
    New_Ad7177 Had something similar and I just said „you said you can't afford me anymore". Then they tried balding back so I said ,,you either can't afford me, or you where lying to me. Both are no grounds to keep working here" And I as well am more happy now. But I am not mad or something, they just tried something that didn't work out.
    via New_Ad7177
  • 14
    Brief_Grade_6679 OP The girl they hired kept calling me and asking me to fix her mistakes, I told my boss about it. Like "she's been here a year and is not able to perform her day to day tasks. Just so you know" and my boss then started putting this persons tasks on me while she was given "extra coaching" Eventually I was working 16 hour days instead of 9 hours with no help at all. Every task was completed on time and accurately and I was given a $20 Starbucks card for my Christmas bonus.
    via Brief_Grade_6679
  • 15
    When I gave my resignation, they kept asking what they could do to make it better or keep me. I said "this is the current market rate for my position and experience. Give me that and let me lead the team since I've been doing it for 2 years anyways" the response "we can't afford it and we don't think you're ready to lead"
    via Brief_Grade_6679
  • 16
    Only_Tip9560 • 1d ago • "Well X company does so that is why I am leaving" - what a bunch of jackasses, can't even accept the truth in front of their faces. What is the point of them asking what they can do to keep you when they are prepared to do nothing?
    via Only_Tip9560
  • 17
    New_Ad7177 So be glad that you left! I was told „you are to young" so I left to another company and they promoted me a year later and I became the youngest lead they had. 5years later I got 2 other departments on top and I m still with said company. They valued me and i grew with them and always had good Mentors above me. I think in todays world, that's rare and i am lucky it played out like this. I hope you will be valued as i have been so far!!
    via New_Ad7177
  • 18
    benjani12463 If a completely inexperienced hire is earning 30k more than an established employee of 3 years then there should be no need for a business case on your part (I understand why you did it, but you shouldn't need to!). I'm actually shocked you didn't get a payrise in this instance, and even more shocked at them being shocked you leaving off the back of it?
    via benjani12463
  • 19
    Brief_Grade_6679 OP I agree. At the time, my position and experience would have been paid $90k/year. I was being paid $50k/year. They hired someone into the junior role with no experience or certifications at $80k. I was very upset. I brought it to my manager with a solid business case as well as her manager and they shot me down. Like ok then, guess I'm looking for a new job......
    via Brief_Grade_6679
  • 20
    Possible-Alfalfa-893 They probably didn't bet on you learning about your new teammate's salary lol
    via Possible-Alfalfa-893
  • 21
    dwegol I'm shocked that someone can be hired into a niche position with no experience
    via dwegol
  • 22
    Brief_Grade_6679 OP Yeah I went to school for 4 years, plus had to work 2 years to get my certification and also continuing education hours. Then they hired someone who went to school for 4 years in a different degree, no work experience in the actual field and no certification. I questioned it when they brought her in for the "meet the team" part of her onboarding.
    via Brief_Grade_6679
  • 23
    chardar4 I just had the same thing happen. I had been a manager for 5 years, and was very successful at that. The entire time I would occasionally go to my boss and talk about how the pay is trash, and it was always "we're working on it, blah blah blah”. I had thought about leaving and talked myself out of it.
    via chardar4
  • 24
    A few months ago I got together with another manager. He had been in position for about 10 months. We were having our usual grumble fest, then he asks how much I make, so I told him. He then didn't want to tell me his, and when I got it out of him, he STARTED at almost 10k more than I was making after 5 years. I didn't even ask for a raise again, I was done paying that game. I found another job, put in my notice. When I did is when I told them why. I just started my new job yesterday and proudly
    via chardar4
  • 25
    open_world_RPG_fan Many companies refuse to promote from within or give raises. The greed is insane. They'll do anything to take advantage of people and maximize their own profits.
    via open_world_RPG_fan

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