Manager accidentally CC’s employee on an email saying he doesn’t deserve a raise because he’s not a “flight risk,” employee starts silently quitting: ‘[My] trust was actually being quietly exploited, not reciprocated.’

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Long story short-had my annual review last week, normal stuff, "meets expectations," small raise, nothing dramatic. Two days later my
manager accidentally CC'd me on an email thread with HIS manager that included his actual prep notes for my review, meant to just be internal.
I know I shouldn't have kept reading past the first line. I read the whole thing anyway.
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The notes said I was being rated as "solid, reliable, not a flight risk" and that they specifically weren't pushing for a bigger raise this cycle because, quote, "he seems content
and isn't asking for more, so budget can go toward retaining (another employee) who's been signaling they might leave."
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Nothing dishonest was said to my face. Everything in the actual review meeting was technically true. But I finally understood something I'd suspected for years and never
had proof of: being easy to manage and not causing friction was actively being used as a reason to give me less, not more.
I'm not naturally a "squeaky wheel" person. I don't love conflict, I don't love negotiating, I generally just trust that good work gets
noticed eventually. Reading those notes made it clear that trust was actually being quietly exploited, not reciprocated.
Haven't said anything about seeing the email. Not sure I ever will, feels like a weird thing to bring up without admitting I read something I shouldn't have.
But I've already started quietly interviewing elsewhere, and for the first time in 4 years I'm not going to be shy in a negotiation if I get an offer.
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Anyone else accidentally seen the "man behind the curtain" version of how they're actually perceived versus what gets said to your face in
reviews? Kind of curious how common this disconnect actually is, versus me just having an unusually blunt manager who forgot to hit BCC.
rhpot1991 Squeaky wheel gets shown the door at times too, the tricky part is knowing when to pick your battles and when not to.
Bananamuffin89 I just wanted to add something here from my own managerial experience.. the flight risks leave eventually.. Usually the issue is more than a paycheck..I've seen it countless times where the flight risks salary increase was given but they left within 6 months anyway.
I'm the manager that gives to the ones who are doing the best performance and I want to ensure they know that before they decide to move on.
Routine-Assistant387 Honestly, what a gift. You know their hand, now ask for more money.
SkyTrees5809 Take screenshots of this with your phone. It may be useful after you give your notice. Look out for yourself as you move forward, as you have figured out. Glad you are moving on, it will be a good lesson learned for this company!

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