Manager expects employee making $75K to take over her late coworker's job, refuses to give her a raise despite the role being worth a $100K salary: 'I’m starting to feel deeply resentful.'

Author image for Emmy Pratt
Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Jan 3, 2026 8:00 PM EST

Are they asking her to take on these responsibilities, or are they demanding it?

Taking on more responsibilities at work can be a double-edged sword. Doing so can demonstrate to your boss that you're ready to advance your career and are not afraid of the hard work it takes to move forward. But if you take on more responsibilities without a pay raise or a title bump indefinitely, all you're doing is telling your boss that you're willing to be taken advantage of. It's important to know when to ask for more money or greater official responsibility.

Many employers take their hardworking employees for granted, assuming they will never leave in search of greener pastures. Some employers are willing to work their top-performing employees to the bone until they inevitably leave, to get as much out of them as possible. After all, if you only have to pay $75K for an employee worth $100K, you're getting a pretty sweet deal. Employers either prioritize retaining their talent for as long as possible by keeping them happy, or they're willing to accept higher turnover rates in exchange for lower labor costs. They might prioritize one or the other on a case-by-case basis, depending on how much they value the employee or the position. Still, ultimately, these are the undercurrents of conversations behind closed doors. It's rare for an all-star employee to stay indefinitely at a workplace where they aren't valued. 

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  • Construction industry working drawing activity industry
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

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

  • The employee in this story was asked to take on her late coworker's position. Her coworker was earning between $90K and $100K, as evidenced by the job posting for their position. When no one was hired, the manager wanted her to take over, but with one caveat: she would continue to earn her regular salary of $75K.

  • My manager wants me to take over a late coworker’s 100k role but says there’s “no budget” to raise my 75k salary

    Around May of last year, one of my coworkers sadly and suddenly passed away. Their role was posted with a salary band of - $90k $100k. A few of my other coworkers applied for it, but none of them got the position.
    via u/Jamaissa
  • I currently earn $75k. My manager recently told me that she believes I am a "perfect fit" for this role and that the projects my late coworker handled should now "fall under my patch." For
    via u/Jamaissa
  • context, I am already doing four other projects similar to what this person did, but this specific project is a higher grade/level than my current work.
    via u/Jamaissa
  • Top view of an accountant or financial worker analyzing financial data on paperwork at her office
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

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

  • My manager previously told me we could discuss a salary increase in the New Year. However, this week she sat me down and said she does not have the budget to increase my salary to that higher band or grade and yet she still expects me to take on the work.
    via u/Jamaissa
  • I'm starting to feel deeply resentful and taken advantage of. It feels like the company is trying to save 90k-100k by pushing the responsibilities onto me for free.
    via u/Jamaissa
  • My questions for you all: 1. Should I tell her to take the project back since it's not in my job description or pay grade? 2. How do I professionally set a boundary here without risking my current job?
    via u/Jamaissa
  • 3. Has anyone successfully negotiated out of "title/responsibility creep" when the budget was supposedly frozen? I don't want to be difficult, but I also don't want to do a $100k job for $75k. What would you do?
    via u/Jamaissa
  • The company's been declining year over year, and I really don't see them being generous with raises. From my conversation with my manager, it didn't feel like salary negotiation was an option at all. I've also never been
    via u/Jamaissa
  • in this situation before, and given the sensitivity around the role it just felt uncomfortable to push. I know I'm underpaid, and I truly believe the skills and value | bring are worth a pay bump into the six-figure range. I just don't
    via u/Jamaissa
  • think that's going to happen here. So I'm going to start applying more and hope I can get out this place sooner rather than later.
    via u/Jamaissa
  • Close up view human resource manager reading CV resumes of job candidate
    via Getty Images (Unsplash+)

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

  • Mikey3800 If your co worker died, it sounds like $100k was freed up in the budget
    via u/Mikey3800
  • billndotnet "We can circle back to negotiating for this change in responsibilities in the new year, once the budget issues are resolved."
    via u/billndotnet
  • Farrahlikefawcett2 Say without a raise then I don't see the benefit and would rather stay in my current role where I know how to excel with the projects I've been managing but I appreciate the recognition. There's a chance you'll lose your job but that's a decision for you to make.
    via u/Farrahlikefawcett2
  • SomeProfoundQuote Don't sell yourself short. The answer is no
    via u/SomeProfoundQuote
  • billdizzle They have the budget they just playing games $90k is the min I would demand
    via u/billdizzle
  • Opposite Ad_497 what would it take for you not to be resentful? that's your answer
    via u/Opposite_Ad_497
  • Darnell_06 Start sending out feelers for other employers in your field. Find what they are willing to pay for your services.
    via u/Darnell_06
  • loud-spider No increase? That's ok I understand. Hopefully you will also understand then that I don't wish to take them on, and I wish you luck in your search for a new hire that you have available budget for.
    via u/loud-spider
  • !gif Single_Job_6358
    via u/Single_Job_6358
  • Physical_Device_9755 If it were me, I would say I after posting the job for that amount, I feel it is a slight that I would fill a role for a large amount less than they would give anyone else. I'm pretty upfront about salary. If they are specifically not wanting to pay you what you are worth, and if you turn it down I guarantee they will pay whoever they hire that amount, it's no longer a company i would want to be a part of. That's really a big F you. "Hey, we want to promote you to a position
    via u/Physical_Device_9755

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salary employee manager job coworkers raise resentful workplace money budget
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