Even though it has been proven that well-paid employees are happier and more productive, there are still bosses who think the best course of action is to refuse to give great employees a raise.
This boss even had the nerve to give a great employee who had just expressed being unhappy with the current pay financial advice. She had no choice but to follow it.
Let’s read the story.
I got a management job at a small business by accident about 2 years ago—someone got fired, the replacement bailed, and the job landed in my lap.
Since then, my responsibilities have been increasing monthly while my pay has stayed stagnant at just a bit higher than minimum wage.
That doesn’t sound like a good deal. Something has to change.
There are over a dozen responsibilities on my plate that only I can do for us at this point—even the business owner calls me for help if I take a day off.
They need me very much here.
Interesting…
Where I live, management jobs are generally about 1.8x minimum wage to start; I make about 1.4x min wage.
I have been budgeting, reviewing my finances, and budgeting some more. Trying to pay down debts so I can comfortably afford to have kids and maybe a house in about 4 years’ time.
Despite my best efforts, at my current pay, it will take me 6 years to reach this goal.
He wasn’t going to wing his future.
I approached my boss about a raise several weeks ago.
He delayed the discussion multiple times, finally giving in and giving all senior employees a 6% raise and implementing a bonus structure for meeting sales targets.
Of those employees, I am the only one whose work directly impacts the sales targets.
The fixed raise was under $1 per hour and the bonus scheme, if I work more than ever before, would work out to another $1 per hour on months the target is reached.
He still felt this wasn’t adequate.
This total still has me under the pay rate for general management in my area, and doesn’t account for all the responsibilities I have that only I am trained to do.
I told my boss I was unhappy with this and he gave me a book on financial management, told me to follow its advice and to stop spending money on coffee.
Wow.
Chapter one of the book recommends you audit yourself financially and says that if you have budgeted well, trimmed extra expenses, and still couldn’t reach your financial goals with your current income, seek a better job.
So I’m following my boss’ sound financial advice and looking for a new job.
Been sending resumes out for over a week now.
And remember to drink coffee while you’re at it!
Let’s see what Reddit’s take is on this.
This reader makes a suggestion.
She sounds like a great employee.
Another reader chimes in.
Yup.
They need to get with the times.
Telling her to stop buying coffee was the biggest red flag.
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