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.”

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Feb 11, 2025 1:00 PM EST

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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  • "Asked for a raise got a weird response."

    "He said we'd have to let somebody go in order to give me more money"
    via SHOTPRIME

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • I've been at the current company for 2 years. I've been doing a Job doing everything that I'm supposed to do plus quite a bit additional. I started a conversation with my boss asking
    via sellin1b
  • for a raise and discuss it in a week. I thought giving him a heads up would be the right thing to do. His first response was we can pay you more money but
    via sellin1b
  • if you're okay if we have to fire somebody? He said we'd have to let somebody go in order to give me more money and then started laughing about it.
    via sellin1b
  • This was really hot because his personality is 100% strict. Staunch and serious so I kind of remember that old saying many a truth has been said in jest.
    via sellin1b
  • Cheezburger Image 10464707328
    via shotprime

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Once again, a boss’ mask has slipped while they agree to future pay discussions with all the enthusiasm of a cat being bathed. 

    And just like that, the job search begins. Because sometimes the best response to workplace absurdity isn't a raise request - it's polishing your resume while questioning every career choice that led to this moment.

  • He then just said yeah. I guess we can talk about it but I think it was. He was pretty ride about it. The whole thing was just unexpected. It did seem kind of not professional at all how he handled it and now I'm looking for another job.
    via sellin1b
  • tryherde Ignore it, its just managers ignorance to keep you feeling down so you wont ask for much, always ask for x2 the raise you want because they will most often give you barely half of what you ask for!
    via sellin1b
  • gregsw2000 Start applying elsewhere, I'd say
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  • Pottski You're overworked in a toxic environment. Run to the hills.
    via Pottski
  • Cheezburger Image 10464707584
    via Dragonimages

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • MySpirtAnimallsADuck Ask if you can pick them point at him
    via MySpirtAnimallsADuck
  • G-H-O-S-T Good start that you're looking for somewhere else. And unless he's the owner, remind him that he's not the owner and that he's sticking
    via G-H-O-S-T
  • his neck out for no benefit of his. He's "defending" the owner who's abusing him already, but for what? Just try to word it your way.
    via G-H-O-S-T
  • Pre3Chorded Email back and say just to confirm, the only way you can pay mean raise, which I haven't had in two years, is if you fire someone else.
    via Pre3Chorded
  • Moontoya Narcissistic playbook Fear, obligation, guilt, FOG Cost of living has gone up, inflation has gone up, their costs and charges have gone up, that's how reality works
    via Moontoya
  • Except they're getting your labor around a discounted rate from 2+ years ago value
    via Moontoya
  • So they're using fear, there's only so much cake, if you want a bigger slice, you have to take it off someone else, rather than the cakes diameter increasing year on year, so thinner slices still amount to more cake.
    via Moontoya
  • Fear for your own job, now they e put that ....lie... in front of you, obligating you to back down / shut up / accept it.
    via Moontoya
  • My response would have been "well they could start with you and pay 10 of us properly" but I set fire to my decades ago last f
    via Moontoya
  • tanngrisnit That attitude is exactly the attitude upper management wants middle management to have to exploit wages from everyone else, including the middle
    via tanngrisnit
  • management. If you're more valuable than your current pay, let the job market vouch for you and forget that guy. And best of luck! The job market hasn't improved much the last two years.
    via tanngrisnit
  • patphish I mean, ask if you'll be getting the fired persons salary added to yours. Then tell him you're fine with that, and only want 90% of it, thus saving the company money.
    via patphish
  • cobra_mist if he can't afford all of his employee he can't be in business
    via cobra_mist
  • sirZofSwagger Tell all the other employees your manager confirmed there was no room for anyone to get raises before you quit.
    via sirZofSwagger

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management boss workplace-stories hr toxic-workplace manager bosses work PTO managers supervisor workplace Horrible Bosses work-life balance
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