Woman refuses to train her replacement when she finds out she will make $15,000 more than her: 'They valued a new hire more than a loyal employee'

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Ely Bulnes • Writer and Editor
Oct 12, 2025 12:00 PM EDT

Finding out that your loyalty towards your employer meant nothing leads to a very specific kind of pain. It feels a bit like betrayal; you put in the years and make an effort to deliver great work, but when you ask for fair pay, they tell you that the budget is too tight. But somehow, that very same "tight budget" opens up the second you hand in your notice. 

That's exactly what happened to one senior graphic designer; after five years of loyal work, bringing in major clients and leading award-winning campaigns, she decided to move on when her company refused to match a higher offer. Everything was business as usual until her boss asked her to train her replacement. And that's when she found out the new hire was making $15,000 more than she ever did. Now, the right thing to do would probably be to just finish off her two weeks as obediently and diligently as possible; she's just a handful of days away from a more promising career. Still, she can't help but feel like being at least a little petty about it. 

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  • 01

    AITA for refusing to train my replacement after I gave notice when I found out they're paying her more than me?

    LOCATS
    via StefanDahl

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I (32F) have been working as a senior graphic designer at a mid- size marketing firm for 5 years.
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 03
    I'm good at my job, I've brought in major clients, won awards for our campaigns, the whole thing.
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 04
    I've asked for raises twice in the past 3 years and both times was told "budget constraints" but got 2-3% cost of living increases.
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 05
    Two weeks ago I accepted a position at another company for significantly more money. I gave my standard two weeks notice and my boss seemed fine with it, said he understood.
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 06
    Yesterday my boss introduced me to my replacement, "Jessica". He pulled me aside and asked
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 07
    me to spend my remaining time training her and getting her up to speed on all my projects and clients. Sure, whatever, that's normal.
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 08
    مم
    via nortonrsx from Getty Images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 09
    Here's the problem: Jessica and I grabbed coffee to chat about the role, and she mentioned how excited she was about the salary.
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 10
    Then she told me the actual number. She's making $15k MORE than what I was making. For the same position. With less experience than me (she has 2 years in the field, I have 8).
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 11
    K
    via ilonakozhevnikova

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • While I would personally just keep my head down and just try to make it to the end ASAP, I understand the bitterness our narrator is feeling. At the very least, she should argue that if she isn't good enough at her job to deserve a raise, then she has no business training someone.

  • 12
    I went back to my boss and asked him point-blank if this was true. He got uncomfortable and said "well, the market has changed" and "we had to offer
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 13
    competitive rates to attract talent." I said "so you had budget for a competitive salary, just not to keep me?" He didn't really have an answer.
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 14
    I told him I'd finish out my two weeks and wrap up my own work, but I'm not training Jessica. That's not my responsibility,
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 15
    especially now that I know they valued a new hire more than a loyal employee who's been here for 5 years.
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 16
    Cheezburger Image 10563140608
    via SeventyFour from Getty Images

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 17
    I feel like I'm justified like why should I go above and beyond for a company that clearly didn't value me?
    via u/Guscioni-Mibida
  • 18
    TastyComfortable2355 Happened to me, I was showing a new engineer the ropes He was from our industry but wasn't familiar with our equipment.
    via u/TastyComfortable2355
  • 19
    I found out he was on more money than me and I refused to provide anymore help or training. I told all my workmates and they took the same stance
    via u/TastyComfortable2355

  • Sometimes these things just happen and there is nothing you can really do but move on.

  • 20
    My manager accused me of creating a hostile work environment. I asked why he was paying a new hire more and he had no answer.
    via u/TastyComfortable2355
  • 21
    We got our union involved and after a short "work to rule" we all received a pay rise.
    via u/TastyComfortable2355
  • 22
    Chunk3yMonkey If you're not talented enough for what they're paying her, then you aren't talented enough to train her
    via u/Chunk3yMonkey
  • 23
    Entertainmentonly9 It happens more than you realize. Don't take it personally. Complete your two weeks and then move on to a better job with a higher
    via u/Entertainmentonly9
  • 24
    salary. Hopefully, your new company has a better name in the business... that always feels good.
    via u/Entertainmentonly9
  • 25
    PompousTart I think the simple answer is that you have to do what is in your own current and future best interests OP. So I agree that remaining diligent on wrapping up
    via u/PompousTart
  • 26
    your projects so that clients continue to think well of you is key. As for training, I'd just do the minimum for the next two weeks. They aren't worth the mental gymnastics of stressing about it.
    via u/PompousTart
  • 27
    FRANPW1 NTA. I would walk right out that door and never come back. Congratulations on your new career!
    via u/FRANPW1

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boss workplace-stories work drama employee job Female Empowerment Professional At Work work coworkers workplace Horrible Bosses girlboss women
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