Employee considers resigning after $72k salary offer because they paid the previous employee $86k: 'I am extremely disappointed and feel insulted by the raise'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jun 12, 2026 10:00 AM EDT

Is a certain amount of money that qualifies as an insult?

It's not easy to stay at a job that you think is disrespecting you. You want to be able to keep your job in an environment where it's not easy to find one. But there is only so much you can put up with. You don't want to feel like your superiors have it out for you or are intentionally withholding their support. That's what this employee felt, though, in this story shared to the antiwork subreddit. After months of continued service, they expected a little more support from the higher-ups at their job. That's not what they got, though. What they got was a lack of understanding and a paltry raise. Knowledge is power, and this employee knew that they were being undervalued in the workplace. They knew that the previous employee was being paid more, and they wondered why they weren't. 

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    Cheezburger Image 10638123520
    via Vitaly Gariev

    A frustrated employee puts his head in his hands

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    I just got a promotion with an extremely disappointing raise and want to quit.

    I work in commercial real estate and just got promoted from assistant property manager to property manager. The old property manager quit and was making 86k plus a 3% bonus. I was told I was I would get promoted to the position the next quarter if I covered the positions. I did extra work for several
    via Vegetable-Rip6871
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    months with no compensation to earn the promotion, while they did not fill it in the mean time. I got my offer letter today and they are only offering me $72 k and trying to say it is due to my experience compared the old manager. I currently make $68 k as the assistant. I just finished my
    via Vegetable-Rip6871
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    day then emailed my boss that I am out sick tomorrow. I haven't taken vacation in a year due to the lack of coverage. I am extremely disappointed and feel insulted by the raise. Should I take it or not?
    via Vegetable-Rip6871

  • When you know your value, it's hard to accept less. It's not always easy out there, though, and sometimes you have to move forward knowing that you'll get what's yours when the time comes, but in the meantime, you have to deal with what you've got. That's what this employee was trying to do, but they wondered if they were stuck at the end of the road with no place to turn. Sometimes you need the advice of outside sources to understand what's actually going on, and that's why the internet is a great help in situations like these. Other people who have gone through similar things might be able to help you through it. They offer valuable perspective and insight that you might not be able to get anywhere else. That's what happened here, when a group of employees came in to offer some advice to a worker who was going through a difficult time. They weren't sure whether to stay at a job and accept less than they deserve or if they should move on. Keep scrolling to read what happened and see what you think.

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    Commenters gave their opinions and advice.

    DuckingFon Don't leave money on the table but immediately begin looking for work somewhere else.
    via DuckingFon
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    Ok-Return7750 You can always counter offer for the $86K. Point out all the work you've done and make a case that you're just as qualified to do the job as the previous manager. $4K is hardly worth the effort to go from an assistant to a manager position.
    via Ok-Return7750
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    In fact I would ask for $90K and see their reaction. All they can say is no. Start looking for another job - these f ers obviously don't value you.
    via Ok-Return7750
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    Cheezburger Image 10638123776
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    A businessman looks frustrated at work

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    Affectionate-Tip-164 Take it, and use that new title and pay as your next springboard to the next job. Don't quit before you got something new and confirmed lined up.
    via Affectionate-Tip-164
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    MM_in_MN I left under similar circumstances. Told my boss their offer was insulting and the work I had done over past 5 months proved I could do the job and was ready for the role. I started looking and was hired with. my same new job title + 10k raise and another week of PTO.
    via MM_in_MN
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    Counter with an $86k offer and see if they bite. Take promotion either way. Whether you look for a new company, or stay with new role depends on if they pay you appropriately or not. But get the job title.
    via MM_in_MN
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    Technical_Monitor_38 'We'd like you to take all of the responsibility, but none of the compensation.'
    via Technical_Monitor_38
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    PopeOfSlack Don't take it without a counter! Ask them what kind of salary you can expect in 2 and 5 years. Stop doing anything extra immediately. Talk to co- workers that would support your move. They need you more than you need them.
    via PopeOfSlack
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    EyeJustSaid That Counter offer. You've proven you're able to do the job, experience only matters for a new hire. You're a known quantity. They are low-lying your initial offer and if you take it with no negotiation they will gleefully underway
    via EyeJustSaidThat
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    you. Counter higher than the previous person was earning, you have inflation to cover and likely at least a year before any raise talks are to be expected. Counter higher and walk if they don't at least coke up to meet the salary you're replacing.
    via EyeJustSaidThat
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    xdementia I'm starting to be convinced that getting a legit promotion and raise from a company you already work for is almost impossible. Last 6 years I've only gotten cost of living raises even
    via xdementia
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    though I was "promoted" and handed more work. Doesn't matter now anyways because I was laid off from that company.
    via xdementia
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    yellowdogdave If they already told you they aren't willing to go to $86k (a 26% increase) I'd at least try to negotiate somewhere in between. They're offering less than 6% which seems more like a good in-position raise but seems too low for a
    via yellowdogdave
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    promotion. I'd expect between 10 and 15% for a promotion. They're probably thinking you've been doing the job for 68k so you should be happy with the raise they're offering. I would tell them you think it the position warrants a higher salary and see if they'll budge.
    via yellowdogdave
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    Crystalcoulsoncac I would suggest absolutely do not quit without another offer. Take the promotion, show up, do the bare minimum, and get paid to job hunt on company time
    via Crystalcoulsoncac
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    No-Independence1096 This might be unpopular but $72k is a good salary and it does make sense that you wouldn't immediately make as much as someone with more experience. If you started in the same position on the same day with the
    via No-Independence1096
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    same experience and they made more, I would understand your frustration but try to not compare yourself. As far as it being a small raise, I think $68k to be an assistant property manager is good, I am guessing you came in higher than normal
    via No-Independence1096
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    which does mean small raises down the road. I do understand your frustration but I think you need to just take a breath.
    via No-Independence1096
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    FlowerHeavy388 Take the raise for the title, it'll be easier to find a new job as a property manager with that title already on your resume
    via FlowerHeavy388
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    Turbulent_Deal_3145 I went through this recently. Best advice I can offer you is to chill for a bit. I wanted to quit my job too, out of emotion. i went so far as to look for jobs, and got offered one. I don't know
    via Turbulent_Deal_3145
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    your situation, but I would have been really dumb to quit. Every other aspect of my job is really good, even compared to the competition. Things are tight right now.
    via Turbulent_Deal_3145
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    Raises may be a little disappointing for the next year or 3. But the best job out there is the one you have right now because the devil you know is better than the one you don't
    via Turbulent_Deal_3145

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