So I took a job 6 months ago, as a way to earn some extra money and figure out what I wanted to do (transitioned out of higher ed). Starting pay was $17-$20, they gave me $17, which sucked, but it's on me that I didn't negotiate.
In that 6 months, I've edited and written multiple documents, taken on extra hours, and assisted multiple departments with finding and fixing errors, including several accounting errors. I did all that partly because it's engrained in me to do my job well and to fix problems when I see them, and partly because any experience is useful.
I've been applying to other jobs, but they were giving me more and more responsibility, including training some coworkers, and writing and designing the documentation for a new manager position. They also asked me to take on the manager duties
I've got my 6 month performance review coming up and I'm thinking, you know, maybe I'll stay here, even if I could make more money somewhere else. It seems they're prepping me to take on that manager role.
I had the review this morning, where they talked about how great I was, how much everyone loved me, and then said I was getting a $2/hour pay increase.
Me: you're going to pay me $19/hour, which is still below the higher starting rate?
Them: believe us when we say we're offering the highest we can
Me: I've been looking for other jobs, because I need a full time, salaried position with benefits.
Them: we will never offer benefits! We can't negotiate pay because that's already at the top of our budget! We really hope you stay because you're great, meetings over, bye.
So yeah, any feelings of loyalty or guilt for looking at other jobs are gone. I'm going to stop doing extra and focus everything on finding a job that won't take advantage of me and pretend they're not. And companies wonder why employees quit.
Sorry this is long, I'm just… Angry.
Tldr: job asks me to take on all sorts of extra duties, offers me a pat on the head and a crappy raise, and is surprised that I'm looking for other jobs.