I started a job at the beginning of 2023 at the highest pay rate I’ve ever received. Job advertisement indicated a starting pay range, I was offered an hourly rate directly in the middle of this pay range, I accepted it.
I was 4 months away from finishing a degree in this field of work and was naive enough to think that post degree I would be entitled to due compensation for this achievement. Nobody else doing this same work at this company had this degree and my knowledge routinely proved useful.
And, by the end of the year, the head of the department, a 14-year veteran of the company, second longest serving employee, and presumably the second most expensive employee, quits for another job. Then, in December, the most experienced person in the department also quits, presumably the second (maybe third) most expensive employee in the department.
My work load increased significantly after each person left. I thought the place was under staffed and disorganized when I arrived at the start of the year, now everyday is a total shit show of chaos.
At the same time the company’s president retires and names his son as his successor. He instantly (and quietly) buys a Porsche.
End of year performance review is done at the last second (literally the last working day of the calendar year) and I’m criticized for the most absurd, inane bullshit, but because they recognize my integrity and hardwork they want to offer me the highest possible raise they will allow: 5%.
I went into this meeting with all of the math already done and printed out so I could read it instead of trying to remember it: COL increase from previous year subtracted from a proposed 5% raise equals this many dollars per week post tax would NOT be acceptable to me. “This is all we can do.”
I instantly look for and find another job that amounts to approximately 32% increase in income for me. Go to work to give them notice, am called into a meeting that same day to discuss.
“How much are they offering? OH WE CAN MATCH THAT.”
Less than a month ago 5% was all they could do (after operating this department probably got 40% cheaper by losing the longest tenured and most experienced labor) and now suddenly a 32% increase ON TOP OF my 5% increase was suddenly doable.
Telling them “No thanks” was VERY satisfying.
I know that many people are less fortunate than me but besides sharing my delicious success I guess the nugget of advice I want to reiterate (though you all already know it):
They don’t care about you at all, loyalty is an utterly useless burden, and you should FOREVER AND ALWAYS be shopping for a better job opportunity.