So to set the scene – I work for a pensions company that is burning through staff. It's one of the lowest paying companies in the sector and you can do the same job for much more money in other companies. As a result, loads of people are getting training with this company, seeing their careers stagnate/not get paid enough reflecting their output and then leaving.
So that's where I come in. There's a couple of things I do in the job that only 2 others can do in the entire floor of 200+ people. I've also been at the company for 3 years, first job out of university. Because of this and the large amount of people leaving, they clearly panicked I'd be out the door soon as well.
Now I'm pretty content. Don't love the job, not something I want to do for the rest of my life, but I'm settled and have no intention of leaving unless it's for the career I plan on having for the foreseeable future.
However, I was called into my manager's office today and was told up front that I'd be going from £19,000 all the way to £24,500 – starting next month with an additional plea to stay. This came completely out of the blue so just thanked them, walked back to my desk and started looking at holiday destinations.
Very nice.
TL;DR – My company were scared I'd leave as many experienced employees have been so offered me a 5 grand pay increase despite me having no plans in leaving and it's pretty great.