Boss tells employee he can get a raise only if they fire someone else, sending him looking for different workplace: ‘Boss started laughing about it.”

Workplace culture likes to pretend that asking for a raise is no big deal. They tell you to "know your worth," "advocate for yourself," and "just start the conversation."  Just channel your inner warrior, march into that office, and claim your worth. What the LinkedIn motivational posts forget to mention is that your reasonable request might unleash your boss's hidden desire to try experimental performance art.

After two years of being the office overachiever, you decide it's time for the money talk. Your approach is methodical - give the boss a heads-up, schedule a proper meeting, prepare your points. Very adult, very professional. But, like in way too many cases, you've accidentally stepped into an alternate dimension where logic took a sabbatical.

Your typical stoic boss - the one who sends emails about proper paper clip usage - suddenly transforms into something between a philosopher and a game show host. Their genius solution? A twisted version of workplace Sophie's Choice: more money for you means someone else gets the boot. Nothing says "professional leadership" quite like turning salary negotiations into ethical dark comedy.

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