Boss gives hardworking employee a mere 2% raise, expects employee to take on several coworkers' task loads in return but they refuse: ‘Why are you hiring people who are not working?’

Author image for Lana DeGaetano
Lana DeGaetano • "Show me to me please."
Jun 27, 2025 7:00 AM EDT

It seems most bosses will ask you to come in early, make you stay late, and expect you to do so without compensation (and with a BIG smile). Why? Well, bosses forget what it's like to be at the bottom of the food chain. They'll try their hardest to keep money in their pockets while they steal money from their subordinates. The corporate world is a merciless one, especially in these trying times and the current job market. A 2% raise? In this economy? You might as well fire me so I can cash in on some unemployment and catch my breath.

The employee in this next story considers quiet quitting after their boss gives them a laughable raise, all the while expecting them to double their task load in the wake of many of their colleagues going on PTO. That is not their problem—they're simply acting their wage. Once you scorn an employee, you set the tone for the amount of work they'll be doing thereafter. Don't say we didn't warn you. Scroll below to read the entire story.

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  • "I told him absolutely not." 938
    via Vitaly Gariev for Unsplash

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

  • "Just told my boss to *ff off. Felt good."

    My boss is a POS. He screwed me over on my promotion raise (2% and that was a part of my annual raise).
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • He calls me and asks if I can cover work load for someone a few weeks ago since he will be on a long vacation. I agreed to cover
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • only a week and did so with no issues. He then calls me and says he gave someone else a day off end of the month (busiest time of
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • the year for us) and I told him absolutely not. It's your responsibility to ensure we are staffed and ready for quarter
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • end. He got so mad and told me "it's none of my business how he staffs our team". I laughed and said then why are you asking me
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • to cover? Why are you hiring people who are not working. You're mad cause I am available to get work done and they aren't?
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • Cheezburger Image 10521470464
    via Kübra Arslaner For Unsplash+

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

  • He got so p ed and said he's gonna "notate" all of this and I told him please do.
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • He then brings up my salary and I should be grateful for how much he pays me hahahahah. !
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • Idgaf anymore. This is insane. How do you let 66% of the team go on vacation and expect me to do all of their work? Kick rocks idgaf anymore.
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • Edit: no, my job doesn't even require me to cover other people..it never has in the 5+ years I have been here. Rant done.
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • IckyJ2112 Make sure you also keep notes on that conversation. You're definitely going to need it when you go to HR. If you get fired, without saying too much, just tell them discovery will be fun. If they ask, what does that mean, you can let them know that you will be seeking council for wrongful termination. But you don't have to mention that.
    via IckyJ2112
  • Accomplished_Pea6334 Bingo. We had an email Convo about it first then he called me cause I was outing him for his horrendous scheduling.
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • DonkeyGlad653 "What's in it for me?" Is where I start negotiations. And if cash is offered under the table I want it up front the day before I cover.
    via DonkeyGlad653
  • Accomplished_Pea6334 If he gave me a 2 percent raise after a 5 year promotion what makes you think he's gonna give me anymore pennies lol. I'm ready to push back and him give me the axe.
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • Slight_Sherbert_5239 Good for you, some people will push you until you break. Sometimes you have to push back.
    via Slight_Sherbert_5239
  • Accomplished_Pea6334 I told him " and don't say I am not a team player I just covered someone else for an entire week". I expect my co workers to work. Why can't they show up when we need them?
    via Accomplished_Pea6334
  • mmcksmith No more covering until the raise comes through, and (since | assume you're looking), quit with as little notice as legal. I'd start clearing personal items now.
    via mmcksmith
  • Accomplished_Pea6334 Thanks. I'm going to let him fire me so I can claim unemployment. Gonna take a nice 2-3 month break and travel for a bit.
    via Accomplished_Pea6334

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