‘Her reply: Yes, both, no extra pay’: CEO offers fake promotion to manager, promising more responsibility, a new role, and zero raise.

Author image for Etai Eshet
Etai Eshet • Editor
Apr 2, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

If you thought working in a thrift store was all about digging up hidden gems, wait until you encounter the real treasure: a promotion that's as valuable as a polyester suit on a hot and humid summer day. like a work outfit with too many ruffles and not enough substance, the kind you'd only donate to a thrift store yourself. Being "given" a promotion without extra pay, in a store with clothes in it, is top tier "The Emperor's New Clothes" vibes, like being told to sew a bespoke suit without the fabric or thread.

You're expected to wear many hats, layer on extra responsibilities like a Hollywood stylist building an outrageous outfit, and still manage to button up your workload without coming undone. It's all about mixing and matching roles like a vintage enthusiast combining patterns, only the fabric of your sanity might fray. Don't forget to hem in those expectations, because they're constantly being adjusted.

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  • Take the case of an office manager who was handed this “tailor-made” promotion to run a thrift store. The situation was a real patchwork puzzle, should they weave the pieces together in hopes of creating something beautiful, or let someone else reconfigure the outfit? After all, when you’re already dressed to impress in your current role, why add more accessories if they’re not paying for the upgrade? It’s time to iron out the creases in your career and set some boundaries. If they want you to dress for success, they should at least spring for a new suit.

  • "Offered a "Promotion" to Run a Thrift Store + Office Manager Role for No Extra Pay—What Would You Do?"

    'I'm expected to do more and work on "days off," for my original salary'
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  • I started as an office manager for a non-profit in December, bringing 20+ years of experience. In my first month, the CEO asked me to find a retail spot for a thrift
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  • store. I was thrilled-I've opened a successful thrift store before (and sold it) and still run a big eBay store. Over 4 months, we had meetings and emails about it.
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  • I suggested running the thrift store alongside my office role, and she liked it. She asked for a budget, so I proposed a modest $15,600 raise for the extra work
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  • Congarts!

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  • (way less than my usual rate). She said, "This is very good!" and told me to move forward.
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  • We signed a lease for a cute downtown spot, effective April 1st. I got utilities and permits sorted. But then-before I could confirm my pay bump-she emailed me saying there'd be no
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  • raise because they're hiring a part-time person to "delegate tasks to." She also said I'd only be in the office Wed-Thurs, at the thrift store Fri-Sun, and "off" Mon-Tues (but expects remote
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  • work on those days). I asked for clarity am I still office manager and running the thrift store? Her reply: Yes, both, no extra pay.
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  • So, I'm expected to manage a clinic office and open/operate a thrift store, including remote work on "days off," for my original salary. I see two options:
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  • 1. Do the work, prove the store's success, and hope for a bonus/raise later. If not, walk away and let them replace me with 3 people.
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  • 2. Decline the "promotion" and stick to my office manager role, forcing her to find someone else for the thrift store. (She offered this as an
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  • out in an email) And then plan to move on in the near future since she clearly has no problem lying to get work done.
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  • crosstheroom Decline the fake promotion which is an insult. move on. you are not valued. Don't work for a predator.
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  • pottomato 12 Nope, more responsibility mean more pay. Running a store with no pay raise it just disrespectful. Talk with the others and get them onboard to not take it forcing her to find someone
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  • else outside or raise the pay. What a reality to live in, where the thought that additional responsibility doesnt warrant a pay increase.
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  • AbruptMango You already have a job, let the part timer run the store.
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  • mr2nug Wait... you're technically working 7 days a week as the expectation? Your CEO is delusional.
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  • If I were in your shoes, add the store opening to your resume and rehearse how you're going to sell it in an interview and get resumes out ASAP. With 20+ YOE,
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  • you should be able to at least land interviews (as long as your resume is tidy) and you now have a fresh achievement to talk through and use in STAR questions.
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  • And when you land a new job, DO NOT take any counter from your CEO. As chief executive, she has the authority to give you that money or not. She is choosing to gamble the $15k salary on you not being able to leave.
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  • I've had a raise request denied before, got an external offer and they magically turned around a raise in 24 hours. Unfortunately for them, they
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  • had to off board me and spend months searching for a replacement. Ultimately, it's your decision on how to navigate it.
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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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