Employee requests a raise, boss rejects raise and says he should quit now so they can replace him as quickly as possible: 'It would be most efficient to fill your current role now instead of playing a guessing game'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Feb 14, 2025 8:00 PM EST

Asking for a raise is scary. As an employee, you're used to doing things all day, every day, that serves your employer. While your job might be fulfilling, it doesn't exist for the function of making you better. Again, a job very well might do that, but that's not its primary function. It can feel unnatural to directly ask for something that benefits you solely, but it's essential. It's not only essential because you need more money as inflation goes up but because you will probably get less than you want if you don't ask. If you're a people pleaser, it can feel like you might get in trouble for asking for more money, but that doesn't happen 99.99% of the time. Negotiating your salary is a perfectly normal aspect of being a salaried employee, and if you know how to do it well, it will benefit you for your entire career.

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  • Unfortunately for this employee, his boss is in the .001% of bosses who will get indignant if his employee asks for a raise. Instead of merely saying he could not fulfill this request, he suggested the employee quit now so that they could fill his position as quickly as possible. 

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    Cheezburger Image 10468113664
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

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

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    Requested a raise. Got fired instead. (I made it very clear in the email that I was only requesting a raise and not planning on quitting)

    A Standard encryption (TLS). View security details Good Morning, Tim, I looked into it and unfortunately am unable to offer you a raise at this time. Seeing as you will likely be leaving for another position, we feel it would be most efficient to fill your current role now instead of playing a guessing game of how much longer we have you for. Good luck with your future endeavors. Joe
    via u/randombiperson9876
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    CorvusCallidus • 1h ago While it's very clear what they're doing, I'd respond in writing asking him to clarify that you are being fired for asking for a raise. Make Joe say it plainly, if only to be petty (and, of course, to have it very explicitly in writing for your records).
    via u/CorvusCallidus
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    skoltroll • 1h ago Yup. Need that for the unemployment hearing.
    via u/skoltroll
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    notwhoyouthinkmaybe •1h ago • Edited 21m ago I think it's perfectly clear. Take this to a lawyer and sue. Edit: I assume most of you are not lawyers. OP can seek the advice of an employment attorney for no cost and figure out if there is a case. I have no clue where OP lives, so a lawyer can tell OP what they think about this case.
    via u/notwhoyouthinkmaybe
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    Also, "At Will" does not mean what most of you think. "At will" has a lot of excemptions, so talking to a lawyer or adovocate service is in the OP's best interest and will cost nothing. So, OP, call a lawyer and do not listen to any of the self proclaimed lawyers in this thread. The
    via u/notwhoyouthinkmaybe
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    lawyer should give you a free consultation and tell you whether it is worth your/their time. Also, talk to a few lawyers to be sure. Finally, the fact that employment attorneys exist and many if not most work for free unless they win, means there is a market for it.
    via u/notwhoyouthinkmaybe
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    MagnificentJake • 1h ago Yeah, that route is going to depend heavily on which state you are in.
    via u/MagnificentJake
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    Aggravating_Bee8720 • 1h ago In almost all places you are not protected from being fired for requesting a raise.
    via u/Aggravating_Bee8720
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    According-Touch-1996 • 1h ago Top 1% Commenter This is designed to make you quit. Until you get a notice of termination, keep doing your job. (Track your work hours closely, they may try to f with that next)
    via u/According-Touch-1996
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    Falafel_Fondler • 40m ago This should be the top comment. It's rather vague because they want OP to be the actual person to quit so they don't have to pay unemployment.
    via u/Falafel_Fondler
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    Meighok20 • 40m ago Right. And it would be a "no call, no show" type thing too because OP thinks he's fired. Very sketchy. Look for a new job, but keeping doing this one until they throw you out of the building
    via u/Meighok20
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    mindspringyahoo • 2h ago Top 1% Commenter just keep showing up to work, business as usual. This is known as the 'costanza move'.
    via u/mindspringyahoo
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    Serpentongue • 1h ago He very clearly didn't say OP was being let go so if they leave voluntarily Joe can say he quit
    via u/Serpentongue
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    Unusual_Flounder2073 • 2h ago Top 1% Commenter That is not a termination notice. Check in with HR maybe. If you were terminated keep a paper copy of this since you can use that when filing for unemployment
    via u/Unusual_Flounder2073
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    mindspringyahoo • 1h ago Top 1% Commenter this also occurred to me. This is like a very 'ambiguous' type of email. OP should definitely just keep reporting for work
    via u/mindspringyahoo
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    Icy-Needleworker-492 • 1h ago So asking for a raise gets you fired from this particular company.Keep coming in while quietly checking out for positions in a company that is not acting like slave owners.
    via u/Icy-Needleworker-492
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    Dull_Anxiety_4774 • 1h ago I believe OP can go to the labor board as this is retaliation.
    via u/Dull_Anxiety_4774
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    Prestigious-Sir-6022 • 2h ago You know what's f____ed?? Your replacement is going to get paid what you wanted in the first place. F Joe!
    via u/Prestigious-Sir-6022
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    Vodithus95 1h ago My last job we all wanted a 50cent pay raise and was told it would be impossible, queue the 5 new hires all starting $4 more an hour than our senior employees. Its a lawless wasteland out here haha.
    via u/Vodithus95
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    dinosaurinchinastore • 1h ago "I think it would be much more efficient to retain me; that way you don't have to identify, train and integrate a new employee about whose work you know nothing. I merely asked for a raise, and a simple "no" would suffice. To be clear I am not resigning and I would appreciate clarification that the reason you plan to terminate me is for the reason I asked for a raise. Thank you, OP"
    via u/dinosaurinchinastore
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    mawkish • 2h ago Top 1% Commenter That's a lot more than mildly infuriating. I'm so sorry.
    via u/mawkish
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    • TheBayAYK 1h ago Post your original email. Maybe it was worded as I'm leaving if I don't get a raise. Anyway, good luck
    via u/TheBayAYK
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    Expensive-Day-3551 • 1h ago Top 1% Commenter Yeah I feel like we need to see this, maybe OP is a poor communicator or maybe their boss read it wrong.
    via u/Expensive-Day-3551
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    Quality_Qontrol • 1h ago They're trying to use you as an example to scare anyone else in asking for a raise.
    via u/Quality_Qontrol
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    Peter_Lemonjello •2h ago • Edited 1h ago You submitted request in writing, this shows only one side of the interaction. You probably work in an at will employment state where employer or employee can end employment without cause as long as it is not discrimination based on race, gender, religion or otherwise. Employer doesn't have to have a reason to terminate employment, seems they are approaching this from a practical position. Again, only seeing an account of one side of this situation.
    via u/Peter_Lemonjello

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