I've been working at this company for over 10 years. Based on annual reviews, I have consistently outperformed my peers for the last 8 of those 10, despite increasing responsibilities. I'm described by my management as a “shining star” performer. And, during my review this week, my boss told me I was underpaid compared to my peers by a significant amount. But that there's nothing they can do about raising my pay because HR won't allow it.
This week, the company announced they had made record revenues and profits. They congratulated the stockholders. They thanked their employees. I received a 4.5% raise to base pay. However, a significant part of our income comes from annual bonuses. They cut our bonuses by 25%. This means that, even before inflation, I'm taking home less money than last year.
To top off the week, I'm called because I'm the only person that can research and solve why some issues happened on systems I don't even own. Without my work, they wouldn't have ever solved it and would have continued to bleed money.
I don't ask for much. This is just the latest insult. Don't tell me I'm underpaid compared to my peers and performance and that the company is swimming in money and then cut my pay. I'm done.