Company denies data analyst raise after he automates 70% of daily tasks with Python, boss orders him to stop, as it's making his coworkers “look bad”, he later discovers they hired someone else for the same automation role: 'Paying 20k more than I make'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Nov 7, 2025 1:00 PM EST

In a world where technology and innovation are growing at a rapid rate, are we as employees being punished for being too efficient? A day's work that used to take 8 hours now takes 2…But are we expected to sit at our desks twiddling our thumbs for the remaining 6 hours, or can we assist in contributing to that innovation? The thing about technology is that you either get it or you don't! For many people, what looks like an endless spiral of meaningless codes and numbers is, to others, a puzzle that makes perfect sense. The problem is that, at the velocity at which AI is increasing, we fear half of us may be left behind! 

Here lies an interesting case highlighting both the puzzle-players and the spiral-seekers…This data analyst has an exceptional grip on technology, and was able to automate 70% of his daily work down to 2 hours…However, his boss thought that it was an unfair advantage compared to other employees who were unable to do so, despite this analyst being passionate to help teach others to do the same, his boss insisted that he completes all tasks manually. Was this employee being punished for being too efficient, too? Well, after he discovers the company had just posted a job position seeking someone to do the exact progressive processing he had just done for free, for an extra 20k a month, he is starting to think so! 

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  • Not only should this employee not be held back by the lack of his coworkers' ambition, but he should be working at a company that invests in him, rather than selling him at a loss… When a company is smart enough to realize it holds a valuable asset, it will treat it as such! So we wouldn't be surprised if this data analyst's resume was posted all over LinkedIn very soon!

  • 01
    Employee coding on his computer
    via tirachard-kumtanom

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

  • 02

    Got Punished for Being Too Efficient. Guess I'll Just Slow Down.

    I work in data processing. Last year I taught myself Python and wrote some scripts that automated about 70% of my daily tasks.
    via Mojo39
  • 03
    What used to take me 6-7 hours now takes maybe 2. I've been using the extra time to learn new skills, help coworkers, and actually think through problems instead of just grinding through repetitive work.
    via Mojo39
  • 04
    Felt pretty good about it. Thought I was being a model employee finding efficiencies, improving processes, all that corporate buzzword stuff they're always preaching.
    via Mojo39
  • 05
    Had my review last month. My manager told me my "output has remained stagnant" and I'm "not taking on enough responsibility." When I explained the automation and offered to teach others or take on new projects, he seemed annoyed.
    via Mojo39
  • 06
    Said that if I have time to spare, I should be processing more entries manually to "boost my numbers." Here's the kicker he told me to stop using my scripts because it makes other team members "look bad by comparison" and creates "unrealistic productivity expectations." So let me get this straight.
    via Mojo39
  • 07
    I found a way to do my job better and faster, and instead of rewarding that or spreading it to the team, they want me to go back to doing mindless manual work so everyone stays equally miserable?
    via Mojo39
  • 08
    Employees praising their boss.
    via gettysignature

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

  • 09
    I asked about a raise or promotion since I clearly have capacity for more. Got the usual "maybe next year" and "budget constraints" speech.
    via Mojo39
  • 10
    Meanwhile, I just saw they posted a job listing for a "Process Improvement Specialist" paying 20k more than I make.
    via Mojo39
  • 11
    You know, literally what I've been doing. I've stopped using the scripts. Back to manually processing everything.
    via Mojo39
  • 12
    Taking the full 8 hours again. Manager seems happier now. Guess they don't actually want efficiency they want us to look busy.
    via Mojo39
  • 13
    Already updating my resume.
    via Mojo39
  • 14
    trentrex2000 Classic corporate BS. You showed initiative and they punished you for it. Keep those scripts for your portfolio and find a place that actually values innovation. Your manager wants warm bodies, not problem solvers. Definitely update that resume. A company that posts a job for exactly what you're doing while refusing to promote you is telling you everything you need to know.
    via trentrex2000
  • 15
    DrewNumber Two \>output has remained stagnant \>makes other team members "look bad by comparison" and creates "unrealistic productivity expectations." Pick one, boss.
    via DrewNumber
  • 16
    Two employees working at their shared desk.
    via tirachard-kumtanom

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

  • 17
    Sharticus123 Valuable lesson learned here. There is no reward for being the superstar. If you want to be a superstar then start your own business. That's the only place your efforts will be rewarded.
    via Sharticus123
  • 18
    tubaman23 On top of what others said about getting ready to being these skills into a future interview, other things to think about 1) if it's easy and only takes 2 hours, why not do it and continue pretending that you're taking the full 8 hours, and have freedom to choose what you do with company time 2) are you paid well? If you get paid well, again, seems like an easy win. If you are not, type your history at the company into a story and prepare interviews for it, specifically quantifying you
    via tubaman23
  • 19
    False Celebration626 They'll steal it from you too, then fire you. They don't want workers to solve problems. They don't want you to be autonomous. Then take what you created and pretend like it's theirs while telling you to pack up your desk. The greatest thing the capitalist and manager is afraid of are workers working together to solve problems. You should encourage your entire office to slow down.
    via False_Celebration626
  • 20
    JJBtch Been through this same situation with the slight difference of me being praised for my enginuity and willingness to come up with improvements to their dated systems. And when it came time for my review I was given a .35 cent raise........... Needless to say I do not work for that manager any longer. Got the review, manager went on vacation the next week, told my general manager I needa transfer or that was my 2 week notice. When that manager came back from his vacation he was pissed and s
    via JJBtch
  • 21
    Harder Time89 So when they come back to you for the script... You give them their answer. The answer your boss gave you. If they don't like it then tell them to figure it out or buy it off of you.
    via HarderTime89
  • 22
    texasusa You made your insecure manager look bad. One employee outperforms the pack. Upper management will question how this could happen. Your manager confesses ignorance.
    via texasusa
  • 23
    Geoclasm Go back to your scripts. Set them up to take the 8 hours you take to do it manually. Fuck around on your phone during that time, or set up a remote desktop connection to your home PC and fuck around on that. No reason to swallow this kind of horse shit.
    via Geoclasm

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promotion boss antiwork workplace-stories employee work-drama drama automation work coworkers manual fast colleague workplace slow down Reddit job hunting employment
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