Employee requests $10k raise in line with colleagues, gets reprimanded by HR for finishing work early instead: 'I'm working Sunday at 10 PM'

Author image for Ally Perry
Ally Perry • Writer and Editor
Apr 23, 2026 7:45 PM EDT

How does an employee best approach a company that is not giving them what they deserve?

It is an all-too-common phenomenon across many workplaces: a dedicated worker who performs well remains underappreciated and often underpaid just because it doesn't suit the purposes of management to give them proper recognition. Perhaps they have made some enemies with the higher-ups, or perhaps they simply fit their position too well to ever move on to better things; either way, they are usually left frustrated and demoralized when given no opportunity to climb up the corporate ladder.

When faced with this situation, many believe that the best way to change things is to put in even more effort to get noticed and demand that things change for the better. Unfortunately, this can come too late, when an employer has already made up their mind about not giving them any more benefits. They have no choice but to think about alternative options to advance their career.

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  • A female employee sits in a meeting room, working on a laptop
    via Wesley Tingley (Unsplash+)

    A female employee sits in a meeting room, working on a laptop

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

  • In this story, a woman in a competitive field was left frustrated when her repeated requests to receive a raise were ignored by her company. She felt like she was a high performer, and she deserved to earn as much money as her higher-paid colleagues—not least because she had to provide for her family.

    She was surprised to find the HR department respond by asking her to attend a meeting about leaving work early for the past two months. She believed that this was untrue and declined their meeting request. She had her suspicions that she was going to be put on a performance improvement plan, and she wanted advice on how to proceed.

  • Pulled into a HR meeting due to performance issues after asking for a pay rise.

    I've been working for my company for 5 years. My role is KPI based which I have met every quarter with the exception of one quarter during lockdown 2021. This month was no different I hit 110% of my target and had some of the highest sales in the country.
    via No-Big1488
  • 7 months ago I asked for a pay rise I was meant to receive whilst I was on mat leave. To clarify it is part of our family leave policy. Well nothing came of it and into the new year I raised it again.
    via No-Big1488
  • Only this time I requested to be paid what my peers are being paid. Which is about 10k more than my current salary. This includes new starters with no experience where as I have over 20 years in the industry.
    via No-Big1488
  • My boss said my request came off as emotional but raised it again with the higher ups. (I thought is was very professional and to the point) 2 months on still no response.
    via No-Big1488
  • Then last Friday I get an invite by HR for a meeting about finishing work early every day for the last 2 months. This couldn't be further from the truth.
    via No-Big1488
  • A female employee uses a laptop in a semi-open plan workspace
    via Wesley Tingey (Unsplash+)

    A female employee uses a laptop in a semi-open plan workspace

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

  • I'm working Sunday nights at 10pm, Starting work at 7am just to keep up as I have a small child.
    via No-Big1488
  • The funny thing is our company is so micromanaged that I have all the receipts of when I've been working as we are tracked within an inch of our lives. I've declined the meeting and asked that they provide me with the dates | supposedly finished early.
    via No-Big1488
  • They emailed back and said it's just an investigation at this point. Now I used to hold a much higher role and I understand this is "we're going to railroad you so we can put you on a performance plan"
    via No-Big1488
  • So once again I asked for asked for the dates so I could provide evidence of my work. Then I would be happy to accept the meeting. I also stated I believe that this was retaliation and have contacted the fair work commission. Which I have but a complaint takes 10 days at least to process.
    via No-Big1488
  • This was once my dream company to work for. I'm absolutely livid that they're trying to pull this off over a pay rise that they'd have to pay a new starter anyways. Has anyone been in this position? What would you do? Any advice on what action you would take?
    via No-Big1488
  • A woman holding a tablet stands next to a man sitting at a table in a meeting room
    via Wesley Tingey (Unsplash+)

    A woman holding a tablet stands next to a man sitting at a table in a meeting room

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

  • Thaldrath Update resume, start looking elsewhere. This does not bode well, and there is probably no multiverse where this will end well.
    via Thaldrath
  • Spiritual_Ad6547 If the role is KPI driven, are you getting your bonuses? You seem to be handling it properly. They have no intention of giving you a raise. You obviously know that by now. Get a great resume done and start looking. That's the best way to get
    via Spiritual_Ad6547
  • a raise. You'll always make more money by finding a new job then by staying at an existing one (most of the time).
    via Spiritual_Ad6547
  • Hella_Flush_ 1. Make sure you have all your evidence lined up. 2. If a meeting is had keep your composure if your boss used the word "emotional" it was definitely passed on to HR so any attempts by them to get an emotional reaction out of you is for their benefit and will be used against you.
    via Hella_Flush_
  • 3. Start looking for another job while you still have your current job, staying doesn't sound like a good option if you deserve a raise and this is what they did.
    via Hella_Flush_
  • 4. Remember HR is not your friend they are not on your side HRs purpose is to save/prevent the company from being sued. They are for the company not you! Best of luck OP hope it all works out.
    via Hella_Flush_
  • Consistent_Proof_772 Under paying you by 10k you know your worth time to leave and stop working on Sundays if they complain so the religious route and get them involved lol
    via Consistent_Proof_772
  • RockPaperSawzall Don't" just quit" but you need to start an intensive job search, immediately, so you can resign soon. And in the meantime, toe the line at this place so you can avoid termination
    via RockPaperSawzall

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management salary employee human resources sales workplace
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