Top-performing team blindsided, after being informed by management that there won't be merit raises as the budget will be redirected to investing in artificial intelligence, despite exceeding revenue goals: 'Bringing in more money than ever'

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Emma Saven
Oct 22, 2025 7:00 AM EDT

Most people in this day and age have been kept up at night fearing that artificial intelligence is going to sweep in and take over their jobs one day. The problem is that we expect it to be blindsiding and immediate, without often realizing that it can affect other elements of our working lives first. A slower, yet damaging approach. 

This high-performing team has been bringing in more revenue than ever before, so there is no doubt they were completely surprised by the news that they would not be receiving merit raises this year. Management was forced to explain that the money would instead be used to invest in growing the company's artificial intelligence. Deep breaths, we know. People often think about termination due to the rapid rise of AI, yet how often do they consider AI cutting into their raises and promotions beforehand?

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  • You know what, many people fear AI, but the one thing we feel is truly ours is the ability to create. We are creative beings, built on experiences and emotions. Something that AI can try to replicate, yet may not ever truly understand. So whilst we may still fear AI, let that be our power! 

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    Coworkers talking during work meeting
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

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    “Nobody” is getting a raise this year at my workplace due to AI

    Nobody in quotes because I'm sure our CEO is getting one. But yeah, long story short we have been having meetings all
    via MrCalabunga
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    year whereby management has been praising our department for bringing in more money than ever before and backing it up with flow chart and graph after
    via MrCalabunga
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    graph of numbers going way up. For perspective, a new hire has been consistently pulling in 3x the monthly revenue goals, with the rest of the department
    via MrCalabunga
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    including myself exceeding goal by at least 2x regularly. Now we just had a meeting with upper management who told us there won't be any merit
    via MrCalabunga
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    increases this year as they decided to put that money into artificial intelligence instead. I'm happy I still have a job for now, but still feels bad, man.
    via MrCalabunga
  • 07
    You see so much talk about Al eliminating jobs, but not enough about it cutting into promotions or raises, so consider this a PSA.
    via MrCalabunga
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    Artificial intelligence
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    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 09
    Ictalbot Sounds like it's time to update your resume. They have clearly shown how much you are valued!
    via Ictalbot
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    OP MrCalabunga Oh it's definitely updated, however I'd be naive to think this isn't impacting every sector of the job market at this point.
    via MrCalabunga
  • 11
    misdeliveredham They shouldn't have told you the real reason for sure. Should've said something about bad economy or something
    via misdeliveredham
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    OP MrCalabunga A few people who pushed back in the meeting did get them to change course shortly to also blame it on "the administration" and "immigration crack downs," so there's that...
    via MrCalabunga
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    FluegelLukas Guess it's time to stop overachieving and start to just hit the goals. Because they clearly don't value your work.
    via FluegelLukas
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    Employee comforting his worried coworker
    via gettyimages

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

  • 15
    Informed Triangle I work for a fairly small (\~200ish employee) company. This year they gave the majority of people 500$ bonuses, which after taxes and deductions is like 200. Ok I thought, better than nothing.. Then I stumbled across the bonus spreadsheet left on a fileshare by accident and saw the CEO got..100,000... Sigh.
    via InformedTriangle
  • 16
    NeuroRocketry "We spent your incentive money on something to replace you." Fuck them.
    via NeuroRocketry
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    DotGroundbreaking50 No raise is a pay cut with our silly season inflation
    via DotGroundbreaking50
  • 18
    tigershrike Start getting those feelers out now. It's better to find a job while you still have a job.
    via tigershrike
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    BringBackUsenet So they are going to shoot themselves in the foot to invest in technolgies that still have major flaws. I can't wait to see how many of these "managers" that buy the Al hype has to suck it up and start hiring humans again after the "AI" system prove to be a huge disappointment and sales crash.
    via BringBackUsenet
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    isthisyournacho Sounds like they can't afford the choice and are betting the talent will stay. Prove them wrong. Typically R&D and capital purchases have their own budgets.
    via isthisyournacho
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    Nervous_Ad_5583 This is what you call a low value employer. Get out of there as soon as possible.
    via Nervous_Ad_5583
  • 22
    Madmonkeman But that can't be true, I was told "hArD work pays off"
    via Madmonkeman
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    CarlJustCarl Next year it will be because the sun, moon and Neptune aren't aligned properly.
    via CarlJustCarl

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management disappointed decreases antiwork investing bonus job work coworkers commission employees Office ai blind sided workplace Horrible Bosses take over workplace drama artificial intelligence
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