Employee's monthly salary gets cut following company's pay restructure, they quit after boss refuses to give them a raise, causing the business to sink: ‘I didn’t realize how important I was’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Aug 7, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

Imagine feeling unvalued and underpaid, and instead of receiving a pay raise, you actually find yourself facing a pay decrease… Anyone facing that would have quit at the first chance they got.

Unfortunately, something similar happened to me in one of my first jobs. I was paid based on projects, and after almost a year at that company, they decided to restructure the way they calculate each project's pay, which led me to face an almost 50% pay cut in my monthly salary. It was terrible, and there was nothing I could do to convince them to change it. Instead of getting a raise for my hard work that year, I was basically pushed out because there was no way to afford rent with the new pay structure. 

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  • 01
    Cheezburger Image 10538301184
    via SeventyFour

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

  • That is exactly what happened to the employee in the story below. Thankfully, after they got the news about the pay restructure, they immediately started looking for a new job. However, when they put in their 2 weeks' notice, they were surprised to face quite a lot of backlash from their employer, yet no counteroffer to convince them to stay…

    Keep scrolling to read what happened to the company after they left.

  • 02
    I've been working at this company for a few years and a couple months ago I was moved to a new pay structure that I was promised would have limitless earnings.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 03
    But there isn't simply enough business to ensure that. I went along with it to give it an honest effort...I make below poverty wages.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 04
    The first measley check I was handed the owner said "Wow you're taking this well." I work my a off in physically and technically difficult work only to be handed very little every week, less than half what I was.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 05
    I ended up interviewing at another company, nailed the interview and landed the job. I will make excellent wages with great benefits and outstanding education opportunities.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 06
    It is still very hard work but at least I can make a living. I let my employer know I'm putting in my two weeks after my interview and the owners were completely baffled by this decision.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 07
    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.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 08
    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 make a good living?"
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 09
    The employer said "Yes!" And I replied "Then it sounds like that's best decision since I can't do it". There was more discussion between owner and supervisor but it was more of how they're going to survive with me just taking it all in.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 10
    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.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 11
    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.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 12
    Cheezburger Image 10538302464
    via SDI Productions

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

  • 13
    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 believe you're not good enough for more.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 14
    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.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 15
    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.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 16
    hawkeedawg Good for you and don't tell them where you're going
    via hawkeedawg
  • 17
    Ihateskeletons OP Too late for that, a bit naive on my part.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 18
    TastesLikeChickin Congratulations on the new job. The current employer should have compensated you better. I'm glad you know your worth.
    via TastesLikeChickin
  • 19
    PiggypPiggyyYaya If you don't plan to go back to that employer, don't need them for reference and moving on to a competent different industry.
    via PiggypPiggyyYaya
  • 20
    Absolutely you don't need to put in 2 weeks notice. Companies these days won't give the same courtesy if you get l´´d off or fired. It's all just business.
    via PiggypPiggyyYaya
  • 21
    Ihateskeletons OP In general I don't go back, maybe some people leave on good terms and it works out for them...but I try to always move forward.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 22
    YettiChild Good for you! I also did this and started a mass exodus. The company is still in business, but it's a shadow of what it was. It's a good lesson for business owners, Don't treat your employees like crp!
    via YettiChild
  • 23
    Ihateskeletons OP Apparently there was so much unspoken shared sentiment that it could have be anyone of us to set it off.
    via Ihateskeletons
  • 24
    Mysterious_Toe2404 I would love to know the roles of these stories and what kind of companies. For a singular position to be the backbone of a company is baffling to me.
    via Mysterious_Toe2404
  • 25
    Ihateskeletons OP Without going into specifics it's a small blue collar business. Over time employees left for better opportunities or retired, leaving me as the only real worker on the line. They cannot hire experienced folks because they don't tolerate the low pay and workplace environment for long.
    via Ihateskeletons

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boss workplace-stories employee manager job tales-from-the-workplace reddit story ceo raise pay raise overworked-employees workplace Reddit company quitting
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