Boss Tries To Give Redditor More Responsibilities Without Changing Their Job Title And With A Tiny Raise, Gets Upset When They Don't Comply With It

"I feel justified and proud of myself for not allowing myself to be taken advantage of, but I do feel bad that I am not doing what was expected of me."

Sophia

• Published in Interesting
• September 24, 2023

In the world of work, things got a bit tricky for a certain Redditor. They started a new job about a year ago and did pretty well.

They even heard some hints that they might get a promotion when their current boss leaves. OP was excited about that because it came with a fancy title.

Well, their boss eventually gave notice and was set to leave soon. OP got asked if they'd like to take on some of the boss's tasks.

So, they asked about the new title and pay but didn't get a clear answer. After a couple of days, the big boss called them.

He said OP didn't show enough gratitude and called their response not so great. He even told a story about how he once took a pay cut to gain more experience.

OP explained they already knew what the new job would involve, the location, and their future coworkers. They were just trying to save time by asking direct questions.

Then, the big boss said they wouldn't just hand over the regional job and that OP needed to prove themselves more. They offered a small raise, but OP knew the extra work was worth more.

They reminded the boss that they were already doing the regional job in many ways and that their prior experience mattered. When asked if they wanted the new position, OP chose to stay in their current role, standing up for their worth.

Here's the original post detailing what happened...

After a year at the company, OP's outstanding performance has positioned them as a potential successor to their current supervisor, who plans to relocate out of state.

Eager to add "regional" to their resume, they accepted the offer to assume some of her responsibilities, but their query about title and pay went unanswered.

Two days later, the CEO criticized OP's response to the job offer for being tactless, but they defended their direct questions as an effort to expedite the hiring process given the company's urgent need to fill the role.

He demanded they earn the regional role and offered just a $2-$3/hour raise for the new position, despite agreeing that the increased workload warranted at least $5-$7/hour more.

Highlighting their experience in the unofficial regional role, OP joked that their current job was perfect and suggested it would take a bribe to consider switching.

He's upset because he assumed OP wanted the role without asking directly, while they feel justified but carry some guilt for not meeting unspoken expectations.

Here's a TLDR:

An update from OP:

And a follow up...

Now they're on good terms with the boss, but there's no change regarding their position.

Last update: the boss surprised OP with a bonus after recognizing their hard work in filling a vacant role, reinforcing their decision to stand up for themselves and stay with the company.

Precisely! They turned the tables on him, and now he's paying them what they're worth instead of pocketing the savings.

He underestimated their determination but learned they won't settle for less. Now, he'll have to pay a fair price for their skills.

Indeed, they saw right through his plan to have them do double the work for just a few extra bucks, a classic employer move. Happens more often than not!

They saw right through the offer—it's like asking for a cheeseburger and getting served a pickle. Good on them for demanding the whole meal!

They weren't falling for the "pay decrease for experience" story and rightly insisted on fair pay for the extra work, recognizing the importance of getting what they deserve.

Expecting them to manage without the proper title is like making them sail without a captain's hat or a lifeboat. Smart not to fall for it.

Absolutely, they were wise not to fall for the old "payment in exposure" trick; after all, one can't buy groceries with Instagram likes!

They refused to play the boss's game of extra work without fair pay, leaving an open position. Time to update the resume, but no more corporate chess.

Their escape plan is polished, but they hope they won't have to use it. They love the company and have supportive coworkers.

Hopefully, the boss has had time to reconsider, or they could end up with a major staffing problem if they leave.

Time for them to steer their career ship instead of waiting for the boss to be the captain of their destiny. In today's job market, discussing title and pay isn't tactless; it's the savvy way to navigate the waters!

They're right; no upward mobility in sight. It's like a ladder with missing rungs.

No villainy here, NTA.

Turns out, the offer was like a side salad when they already had a plate of steak—not much of a raise at all.

Seeing through the boss's attempt to add more work without fair pay, it's like packing too many potatoes in a small sack.

It's time to find a fairer workplace.

Exactly! It's like ordering a full meal but only paying for the appetizer—not a fair deal at all.

Their boss is establishing an unfortunate pattern.

They're not just shining their own trophy; they're making sure their boss hands it over too.

Their boss raised hopes and served disappointments—like a feast with only appetizers.

The situation definitely serves as a potent reminder of the importance of transparent communication and fair compensation in fostering a harmonious work environment. What would you do if you were in OP's situation, though?

Comment down your thoughts, or share this article for all your family and friends to see!

Sophia