Employee quits when company downgrades salary and refuses to give raises, prompts mass exodus of former coworkers: 'I undervalued myself for so long I didn’t realize how important I was'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Jul 30, 2025 9:00 PM EDT

Rule no. 1 (or at the very least, 2 or 3) of running a successful company is to appreciate and value your employees. They are the ones doing the groundwork to make sure that everything runs smoothly, and so long as they know their worth, they expect to be properly compensated. When businesses, especially small ones, do not make the effort to keep workers happy, the results can be disastrous. 

Nonetheless, when it comes to making cuts, one of the first places that many bosses look to is the staff. The point to which some choose to push employees is sometimes nothing short of cruel, yet it still proves a surprise when they experience a reaction to that. While not every thwarted worker gets the satisfaction of leaving a job and then watching the company around it collapse, it is a distinct possibility when it comes to some business setups.

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  • 01

    My employer refused to give me a raise, I got a new job and now they are imploding

    I let my employer know I'm putting in my two weeks after my interview and the owners were completely baffled by this decision. I told them I don't make enough and there was never an acknowledgment of this fact at all, rather the conversation quickly became a guilt tripping attempt and became about entirely about them and their own personal stake. No counteroffer of any kind, just lamenting how much they personally sank into this business. I asked "Can a competent and skilled employee in my place
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10536607488
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

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

  • One employee had this happen after he secured a new job following months of dealing with a drastic pay cut that his employers refused to raise. After a successful interview, he put in his notice and left.

    Following his departure, he realized that the business was now in a bad way, as multiple other employees decided to follow suit. He shared the story.

  • 03
    Needless to say the company is imploding faster than a d_ng star. The mad scramble is real. My leaving is now causing all, yes, ALL employees to also leave. There will be so few people remaining the business can no longer function. I undervalued myself for so long I didn't realize how important I was, so that feels good how integral I was. I'm posting this for anyone else in that position; don't downplay your value and importance. Don't stay stuck somewhere you're not appreciated you because you
    via ihateskeletons
  • 04
    EDIT: Thank you all for the support, I appreciate hearing everyone else's experiences too. I didn't realize it was common nowadays to NOT give a two weeks notice and just leave when ready. Also telling my employer where I was going is also, in hindsight, not a good move. Live and learn I guess. A lot of you went thru the same thing so I hope it's all working out for everyone. Good luck!
    via ihateskeletons
  • 05
    Cheezburger Image 10536607744
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

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

  • 06

    Outsiders applauded the savvy move.

    hawkeedawg Good for you and don't tell them where you're going
    via hawkdeedawg
  • 07
    TastesLikeChickin Congratulations on the new job. The current employer should have compensated you better. I'm glad you know your worth.
    via TastesLikeChickin
  • 08
    chook_slop employers need to learn that when someone leaves that THEY are being fired. And perhaps they should learn from it.
    via chook_slop
  • 09
    flair11a I see a lot of not your problem. Bounce and forget.
    via flair11a
  • 10
    Zeitgeist-333 It's my own personal opinion that employers should be able to offer a record of their own employment history if I'm going to do the same. I'm always trying to move on to something better but I have found it's now holding me back because of the way my résumé looks. Too many gaps. If they get to see the gaps in my résumé, and judge me based off that I think it's only fair that I also get an opportunity to judge how they're managing and hiring before I walk into a revolving door, wher
    via Zeitgeist-333
  • 11
    mathaiser Eh, you think they can't survive without you? Don't be so sure. Leave for your business decision and that's it.
    via mathaiser
  • 12
    KevRev972 Sounds like this is a small business, so yeah, it absolutely can be imploding right now. Independently owned small businesses tend not to get as many applications as larger companies, and are much more vulnerable to collapse than companies that can pull employees from other locations. It also sounds like this new pay structure is causing everyone to make significantly less, so I can't imagine that the workers could be quickly replaced. If at all.
    via KevRev972
  • 13
    Chemical_Emu_8837 Good for you. I hope more people become like this.
    via Chemical_Emu_8837
  • 14
    Therex1282 Good that you decided to move on. Seems companies dont realize what they have till your not there anymore. Some are greedy af and will work you to death and give you the guilt trip when you decide to quit. I see this mistreatment with big corps and mom and pop shops.
    via Therex1282
  • 15
    Fire_In_The_Skies I would just like to point out that an imploding star does not implode very fast.
    via Fire_In_The_Skies
  • 16
    Mr-Chrispy Don't even bother working your two weeks, just take a week off to destress before your new gig
    via Mr_Chrispy
  • 17
    hosamhanna Good for you dude, leave and never look back, always take care of yourself if they really cared about you they would have offered you to match or even give you more
    via hosamhanna
  • 18
    nobodyspecial712 If a business cannot afford a living wage, they should not be in business. I'm personally of the belief that employees should not only receive their hourly wage/salary, but a portion of the net profits at the end of the year. Without the business owners there's no business, but without the employees there's nothing to sell.
    via nobodyspecial712
  • 19
    SubbieATX An employer trying to guilt trip you because you wanted to get paid more is not a good employer. I've ran thru this once and leaving was the best decision I ever made. You made the right move, don't look back and keep moving forward.
    via SubbieATX

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work workplace salary employee revenge coworkers raise reddit thread Reddit money quitting
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