Job promises employee 10% raise, then gives them only an extra 3 cents

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Apr 5, 2026 3:00 PM EDT

What would you do if you were promised more money from your workplace, but they only gave you an extra 3 cents per hour? 

That's right — if you're earning an extra 3 cents an hour, you're only making an extra $1.20 per week, which will buy you exactly one item from the dollar store. That wouldn't buy you a beverage… not a sandwich… you could maybe buy a single roll from the grocery store. 

However, a 10% raise on a $26.35/hour job? Now that'll buy you a lot more rolls or dollar store items! 

This person got an honestly ridiculous email from their HR department and let's just hope they ironed out this silly situation

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  • Workers cracking up over mistaken email.
    via Getty Images

    Workers cracking up over mistaken email.

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • This girl emailed HR after noticing a pay error. This was their response...
    via InternetH0F

  • Here's the email...

    Dear I am writing to confirm that your 10% pay raise was applied to your pay during the work period from August 11 to August 25. Your new hourly rate is $26.38. Below is a breakdown of the calculation:
    via InternetH0F

  • Hmm

    Previous Pay Rate: $26.35 • New Pay Rate Calculation: $26.35 × (1+ 0.10/100) = $26.38
    via InternetH0F

  • People thought the auto responses were pretty hilarious

    If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don't hesitate to reach out. Best regards, Thank you Thank you Thank you so for the for the much! clarification. information!
    via InternetH0F

    "Thank you for the information" indeed!

  • What should you do in this situation? 

    You'd hope it would be an easy fix, right? Everything is written down on paper (well, email). We just need a math expert in the building. Or this person could show them themselves, seeing as we're all carrying around calculators in our pockets all the time, thanks to the iPhone. 

    If that doesn't work, I guess you get higher ups involved? Very odd situation overall, and let's hope that this person does get their proper salary. 

    Everyone can have a good laugh about it after that salary increase goes through! 

  • People were giggling about this

    Conejo @AkaBugsB Her face while doing the calculation and sending that
    via AkaBugsB
  • Worker wonders why HR has sent an email giving only a 3 cent raise.
    via Getty Images

    Worker wonders why HR has sent an email giving only a 3 cent raise.

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • It's worth a try!

    Vineeth @Vineethb24 Make your own math day! Send them something like: 26.35 / 10% = $263.50 Seize the opportunity!
    via Vineethb24

    Two can play at this bad math game.

  • Martin Adam... @M... If this isn't gaslighting, I don't know what is... Thank you Thank you Thank you so for the clarification. for the much! information!
    via Martin_Adams

    Oh it's a clarification alright! 

    Does anyone actually use these? I almost always have more to say than that, but I guess they have their uses. If only there was one that said, "Hey so, you're totally wrong, relook this email then reply! Thanks!"

  • Vineeth @Vineethb24 Also, what baffles me is they didn't go "hmm, 3 cents increase? That can't be right!" Also, it would have saved them so much work if they just did x1.10.
    via Vineethb24

    I'm not great at math either, okay? I think a lot of times, people will see a mistake like this and think, "Well, someone did the math, so it must be right." Hence, the 3 cent raise. 

  • Jesse S... @4merlyn... I would have sent a response like this: 10% of $10.00 is $1.00. How can my 10% raise against $26.35 be three cents?
    via 4merlynotfamous
  • Employee shows her coworkers her minuscule raise while they stare in disbelief.
    via Getty Images

    Employee shows her coworkers her minuscule raise while they stare in disbelief. 

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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