My husband and I(32) have been looking for a house before the pandemic and ever since then we lost all hope of buying something we actually liked. So I spent a week putting together data on how crazy the cost of living has become in my area in order to help my boss give me a raise. My salary was significantly lower than all of my friends who are in the same field. I also took my University's salary data from new college graduates, which was higher than my own.
I'm a top performer at my company, and I believe that my labor has been making the company good money. So I approached her and she immediately invalidated my data, saying that inflation isn't happening where we are and that my University is pumping up the numbers. She told me that she can't be held hostage to my demands. She said that people out on the manufacturing floor are fighting over cents (our own workers) and that my job has it good and I shouldn't take it for granted. She went on to say that her friends make three times as her and asked me how would the company grant her wishes? She told me that it's against company policy to discuss my salary with anyone in the company. On top of all this she called me a millennial who just wants money.
The meeting left me fuming. I assured her that I understood and left. That same day I applied to new jobs and within 2 months started a new career with better outlook, skillsets, and 18% raise.
While its uncomfortable to talk about pay and benefits, they're important. I thought for the longest time that my boss cared about my wellbeing. Talking to her made me realize that she was only pushing her own frustration of being underpaid onto me. It was a toxic environment and now I'm free. My friends and this sub helped me want to push for better things in the work place. You guys rock.