Underpaid employee resigns after new CFO removes beloved workplace perk: 'I am now set back three years in pay increases'

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jan 10, 2026 8:00 AM EST

It's hard to boost morale at a company when the new guy in charge does nothing but remove employee perks. That's a recipe for disaster when it comes to maintaining loyalty and establishing trust with leadership.

Unfortunately, what often gets in the way of upper management truly understanding the needs of their employees is their own bravado and inability to empathize with the experiences of their so-called "subordinates" within the company. That certainly seems to be the case with this new CFO, who fully missed the mark and swiftly removed a key perk that so many employees valued.

The perk involved employees who frequently had to drive for work. After two years on the job, they were given company cars with unlimited personal mileage. This was something that many employees came to value the most, as it seemed to be the only unique perk outside of the standard employee benefits. Clearly, the new CFO stepped in and could not understand why this perk was a necessity, so he got rid of it without warning.

We're certain that others tried to warn this guy about how this perk made drivers feel respected and protected. Still, it wasn't enough to convince him otherwise. Let's just say that he radically underestimated what the reaction to the eradication of the company cars would look like.

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  • For this employee, he took the news particularly poorly, but he handled it admirably. After all, he knew that this perk had monetary value, so he decided to calculate exactly how much he saved in money as a result of having these company cars. After doing the math, he confirmed that without this perk, it was as if his entire salary had been set back three years. Mind you, this is someone who has spent thirteen years at the company.

    The employee did end up confronting his manager with this data and ended up walking away with the facts on his side as well as his dignity intact. Keep scrolling below for the full story and for the best reactions from several members of this online community.

  • "Had a good run at a company for 13 years... [until] today."

    When I was 21 I had no direction for a career. I was a college dropout with surprise twin girls on the way. I didn't know what I want in a career but I knew I had to work my a off for these kids coming up.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • I had a life changing interview that put me in the right place at the right time for growth. Leadership recognized me and rewarded me.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • I started out at a floor level position and within 6 years I was promoted 4 times to District Manager.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • About 2 years in, the Company decided to do away with Auto Allowances and give us company cars and also unlimited personal mileage use. Pretty neat perk.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • During , I had the best staffing levels in the division and I was asked to move into a new position that was based out of home but was essentially 90% work from home. Boss even said I could keep the car.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • I learned the role quickly and soon began to excel at it. Before long, my manager was modeling the entire department after MY program! Mid 2024. New CFO starts up.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • 2025, CFO takes away all the Company cars from anyone driving less than x amount of miles per month for business and gives no salary increases to comp them. I valued this benefit at approximately 10k per year. So after my 2.1k increase, I am now set back THREE YEARS IN PAY INCREASES!
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • To add insult to injury, they tell me this at my performance review. I obviously got upset and explained how removing this benefit was equivalent to a huge pay cut for me.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • Had a follow up conversation today where they told me to look forward to a new job being posted. I asked what the pay raise would be and it was literally exactly the amount I just lost. They also had the nerve to scold me about my 'unprofessionalism.'
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • So they're pushing for more work for the same amount of pay?! Get f ed!!! I'll see myself out the door as soon as i have a new job lined up!
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • A young professional raises his hands in the air with relief while holding a document in his hands.
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

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

  • StolenWishes • 11h ago You had a longer run than most - but now it's over. Your promotions will look very impressive on the resume you send out to potential new employers.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • LeftCoastBrain 10h ago I have good news for you: You'll probably get a significant raise by going to another company. All my significant raises came from leaving a job I'd been at for too long and getting a similar or better job at another company.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • I know it feels terrible right now but I'd almost bet dollars to pesos that five years from now you'll look back at this as one of the best things that's happened to you, at least as pertains to your career. Good luck, and f 'em.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • chat5251 • 11h ago Time to move on. Don't stay until you get more bitter and destroy your reputation
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • NFT_fud • 11h ago They have been very good to you and in return you have been very good to them. You have grown and they have benefitted from that. But sooner or later a relationship like this, I am suprised how often these relationships are disrupted or just ignored by the new manager.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • Maybe this is a sign, not THE sign that if you going to get a raise and continue to grow it will be somewhere else. Is it time for a new growth opportunity?
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • R 980 10h ago It's amazing how many great jobs are ruined when one bad boss takes over. Even if there are mountains of complaints against the boss, the administration will never do anything.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80
  • You already have a team of people who are experts in the department, and yet I almost never see employers promote from within anymore.
    via Revolutionary-Farm80

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