Senior designer quits over 6 years of denied raises, refuses boss's demand to train less-experienced replacement when discovering she's earning $20K more than her salary for the same job: 'Willing to pay new employee significantly more than a loyal one'

Author image for Emma Saven
Emma Saven
Nov 7, 2025 5:00 PM EST

We thought the worst thing any employee could hear from someone of higher office power is that 'you're replaceable!'…But imagine hearing 'You're replaceable and they're worth an extra $20k than you are…' We can't blame this senior designer for refusing to train her new replacement after discovering she is set to earn $20k more than her for the exact same position, but minus the 8 years of experience! Especially when the main reason she resigned in the first place was a result of her company's unwillingness to grant her a much-deserved raise, after all she had contributed to the company.

Sure, she is required to brief her on what is currently going on regarding her work and clients, but it is not her job to stick around, perfecting her replacement, when her company clearly doesn't value her at all! She may not be able to control their reasoning, competitive market-shmarket…, but what she can control is her reaction. So deep breaths, head held high and walk out that door the same way you walked in…without looking back, except this time, you've learnt a thing or two about loyalty…

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  • The sad thing about some work relationships is that the work part often comes before the relationship part. We guess it's a standard part of life, however, it doesn't make feeling underappreciated for your time, effort, and dedication any easier. We think often times people, especially within the work-world, forget that they can be rejected, even after once being accepted. 

  • 01
    Employee meeting the new hire.
    via dragonimages

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

  • 02

    Am I wrong for refusing to train the person they hired to replace me when I found out she's getting paid more than me?

    I (34F) have been working as a senior designer at a decent-sized ad agency for 6 years.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 03
    By all accounts, I'm one of the best at my job - I've led award-winning projects, brought in some of our biggest accounts, and generally given a lot to this job.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 04
    I asked for a significant salary increase three times in the last 4 years, and each time I was met with the 'tight budget' excuse, along with a trivial 1-2% cost-of- living adjustment.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 05
    A few weeks ago, I accepted a job at another firm with a much better salary.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 06
    I submitted my resignation and gave them three weeks' notice. My manager was professional about it, wished me well, and so on.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 07
    Yesterday, my manager introduced me to my replacement, 'Sarah'. He took me to his office and explained that he needed me to use my remaining time to hand over all my projects and client relationships to her and get her fully integrated.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 08
    This is a standard procedure, so I agreed. The problem started when Sarah and I went out for lunch to get to know each other.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 09
    She brought up the topic of salary and, presumably to be transparent, told me what they offered her.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 10
    It turned out to be $20,000 more than my current salary. For the exact same job title.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 11
    Stressed woman leaning on her laptop.
    via karola-g

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

  • 12
    She has 3 years of experience in our field; I have 10. I went to my manager's office immediately and asked him directly if what she said was true.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 13
    He started shifting in his chair and mumbled things like, 'Look, the market is different now,' and 'We needed to offer a competitive salary to fill this position. My response was, 'So the budget was there to hire someone new at a competitive rate, but it wasn't there to retain an employee who's been here for 6 years?' He couldn't give me a convincing answer.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 14
    I told him that I would use my remaining time to document my projects and hand everything over cleanly, but I would not be training Sarah personally.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 15
    It's no longer my job, especially after learning they were willing to pay a new employee significantly more than a loyal one.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 16
    Honestly, I feel my position is 100% justified. Why should I do them the favor of training my replacement when they've proven they didn't value me enough to pay me what I'm worth?
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 17
    I am still convinced that I am not in the wrong here. Why would I train her?
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 18
    They replaced me with a better offer. To think that they have a budget all the time and choose not to give it to me is making me angry.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 19
    I don't care if the new hires' budgets are different from the current employees. But thanks to this subreddit r/hiringhelp I made the decision not to train her, and I think this is fair.
    via mentorhairs6z
  • 20
    FarYam3061 You don't have to give them 2 weeks, plus they already hired your replacement. Just quit.
    via FarYam3061
  • 21
    Employee resigning and carrying her box of items.
    via bongkarngraphic

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

  • 22
    Neurospicy-discourse I've heard that the budget for new hires actually is different than the budget for current staff. Like, they actually have to take into account what it takes to compete with the market to recruit someone new in the "new-hire" budget but there is no need to compete for current staff so the budget isn't there. Not saying it's right, just what I've heard.
    via Neurospicy-discourse
  • 23
    heedrix Recruitment budget is always bigger than the retention budget.
    via heedrix
  • 24
    Ecstatic_Law_6207 I buy-in to the logic. You're not a manager and your duties, I'm sure, have never stated that it's your job to train anyone, let alone someone else on how to do your job. Further, you already have a new position and don't need their recommendation at this point, so what's the difference. It's their problem, don't make it yours.
    via Ecstatic_Law_6207
  • 25
    db12020 I wouldn't confront anyone if I have resigned. If you're leaving already, then spend the very minimal on actual knowledge transfer. Share the very basics, extend the training as long as possible. Let them figure it out. Once you leave, block and move on.
    via db12020
  • 26
    Bluusoda Transition and training are two totally different things. Your obligation is to transition, but not train. Minimal effort. Just smile and nod along on your way out. You never know when you might run into these people again. Congratulations on your new job. Be happy for that.
    via Bluusoda
  • 27
    Tomorrow-Is-Better 3 weeks notice is excessive. The standard amount is two weeks and it's not unusual for a company to walk you out the day you give notice, depending on what kind of company information you would continue to have access to. Just let them know that you need to leave by the end of the week. They don't deserve much of anything from you after the way they've treated you.
    via Tomorrow-Is-Better
  • 28
    elanakin You don't have to train her correctly ;)
    via elanakin

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replacement notice salary boss antiwork workplace-stories employee work-drama drama new hire work coworkers transition increased colleague workplace Reddit budget employment
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