Experienced employee discovers younger coworkers are getting paid 70% more than him, decides to disengage from the job completely instead of looking for a new one: ‘I don't see a point anymore’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jan 3, 2025 1:00 PM EST

Employers don't like it when employees do many things. They don't like it when they see employees on their phones, they don't like it when they take long bathroom breaks, they don't like it when they are a minute late to return from their lunch, and they especially don't like it when employees talk among themselves about things like contracts and wages.

The latter is probably the most dangerous of them all because when employers attempt to put a stop to employees discussing their workplace conditions, they create an unequal environment that is not good for anyone involved. If you want employees to be happy and content, there should be complete transparency about these things, but of course, not many employers actually care if their employees are content or not.

We genuinely hope none of you had to deal with a situation in which you found out that your coworkers, who have the same job as you do, are making more money than you. It's a slippery slope and a very concerning thing to discover, and the employee in the story down below is the proof.

After finding out that his coworkers are making 71% more than him, he found himself completely losing interest and hope in his job and place of work, and that is extremely unfortunate. Now, the people around him are trying to give him helpful advice about what to do next, but it doesn't look like he is willing to listen. 

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  • 01
    2% 424.53 42438.20 19 % ། 3254 "It's not like I can leave"
    via Tima Miroshnichenko
  • 02
    Just found out my coworkers make 71% more than me.
    via redneck_rapper
  • 03
    I have more experience, I am older, and I hold certifications that I pay hundreds of dollars for annually since my company won't.
    via redneck_rapper
  • 04
    Yet coworkers who are younger, have less experience, were hired only months after me, and have ZERO certifications in our field are getting paid 71% more than
    via redneck_rapper
  • 05
    me to do less work since "I have the most experience". No body is hiring so it's not like I can leave.
    via redneck_rapper
  • 06
    My wife keeps telling me I can't just disengage from life but I don't really see a point anymore. How am I supposed to move
    via redneck_rapper
  • 07
    up when everything I try and all the time and money I invest into my career only gains me pennies while people who don't get more?
    via redneck_rapper

  • Storytime

    My mom is 58 and she has been working in the same job for 30 years (Seriously, we just celebrated her 30th anniversary there). She is always shocked when my siblings and I talk about switching jobs like they are old pair of shoes. Something about her loyalty to that workplace doesn't allow her to just get up and leave, even if she didn't get an actual raise in 15 years.

    If you ask me? I love what I do, and I love caring about my workplace. However, more and more workplaces are jumping on the trend of ignoring their employees' needs and making it impossible to move forward within their roles. So it is no wonder people are job hopping every couple of years, even if it is just for more money and benefits.

     

  • 08
    Disisnotmyrealname Why is 27 now old?
    via Disisnotmyrealname
  • 09
    redneck_rapper OP Older* as in they are 23 and 25 and I am now 28.
    via redneck_rapper
  • 10
    2mad2d Thats basically like a $50,000 difference in salary. Are you sure you've been hired for the same role? If so, I would set up a meeting with the boss
    via 2mad2d**
  • 11
    redneck_rapper OP Yep
    via redneck_rapper
  • 12
    TallahasseWaffle Hous Keeping it a secret wont help you. Let your colleagues, and your boss know the situation. They should all know the company needs to address the pay gap, if they want to keep you... And to see if the company respects their workers.
    via TallahasseWaffle
  • 13
    redneck_rapper OP Colleagues found out today because they were saying how good the pay is and I was like it's not that good and then I asked how much they get paid and they said 60$ an hour and I only make 35$
    via redneck_rapper
  • 14
    Frugal500 The real thing to do is wait for a 'money moment' - when there are departmental changes, new projects coming on etc where things are in flux and
    via Frugal500
  • 15
    responsibilities will be changing and make sure you leverage it then. Managers ain't got budget to address that sort of stuff just out of the blue (even if they should)
    via Frugal500
  • 16
    redneck_rapper OP Yeah I know. I want to listen to people's advice but I'm completely disconnected at this point. It's like a cable got unplugged in my brain and everything is monotone and greyscale now.
    via redneck_rapper
  • 17
    190035 MR 447
    via Everyday better to do everything you love
  • 18
    diwhychuck This is why people job hop only way to get big raises.
    via diwhychuck
  • 19
    redneck_rapper OP I have been
    via redneck_rapper
  • 20
    AMonkeyAndALavaLamp If you do work that requires your certifications to be up-to-date, let your boss know that unless they renew them you won't. Also, if you do any work beyond your job
    via AMonkeyAndALavaLamp
  • 21
    description, now it's a good time to scale back on that too. Let those that get paid more take over.
    via AMonkeyAndALavaLamp
  • 22
    unicorn8dragon You've gotta advocate for yourself and request a market adjustment. Otherwise work your wage. Or alternatively if that would get you fired and you can't lose the job, work the minimum necessary to not get fired.
    via unicorn8dragon
  • 23
    Chexzout Send your boss a resume and tell them you're applying for the same position your coworkers have at their same rate.
    via Chexzout
  • 24
    HappyDoggos I'm going to go against the grain a bit here. I feel it's ok to step back mentally and just sit with these feelings. Like literally sit on the porch with a beer and stare out into nothingness. For awhile, but not too long. A couple days, a
    via HappyDoggos
  • 25
    couple weeks, but no more than a month. When you get punched in the gut like this it takes some time to find your bearings again. To push away or deny your discomfort is to actually let it fester under the surface.
    via HappyDoggos
  • 26
    Then as you start to be able to breathe you can start to look at this situation, decide YOU are worth fighting for, and start making a plan on how to remedy things. Once you see even a bit of color come back into your world
    via HappyDoggos
  • 27
    it's critical to anchor onto that tiny momentum and take action. Your gut will tell you what the right course of action is. As someone who's gone through clinical depres on many years ago I know exactly what you mean by
    via HappyDoggos
  • 28
    the world looking bleak and grayscale. It absolutely does. But I'm here to tell you things get better. If you're any sort of spiritual person you'll realize one day there was a reason you are going through this now. You may feel alone, but you absolutely are not. Hang in there!
    via HappyDoggos
  • 29
    redneck_rapper OP Thanks for this.
    via redneck_rapper

  • I hope that the employee here will not stay down for long, and will take action to improve his position, whether in his current workplace or another one. 

    At the end of the day, we spend the majority of our lives working, and feeling unfulfilled or undervalued for so long is never healthy. It is a new year, it is time to get up and make the necessary changes, and that doesn't only apply to the employee in this story, but to all of us, no exceptions!

    Happy New Year, folks.

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boss workplace-stories employee manager job tales-from-the-workplace coworkers reddit story ceo overworked-employees workplace paycheck Reddit company coworker funny money
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