Company Denying Raise to Overworked Staff While Taking a Bonus Sparks Fury

The internet has slammed managers for refusing to give a hardworking employee a raise, despite them doing the work of two people, while all then time lining their own pockets with a salary bump and bonuses.

Reddit user u/ubermick shared a post in the 2.3 million-strong r/ChoosingBeggars group, that contained a glowing performance review that, while acknowledging the employee's hard work, also ruled out any hope of a raise.

In the post, the employee also noted their frustration that managers were given a 10 percent raise. It clearly struck a nerve, and was upvoted more than 19,700 times since it was uploaded on Monday, May 23.

The review, which can be read here, said: "Going forward, we feel that the skills and work ethic make you integral to our success and can't wait for another outstanding year with you as a part of the team.

"In addition to your duties as senior designer, we would like you to continue handling the duties of marketing manager until we are able to fill the position, which we plan on doing in Q3 of the upcoming year. Leadership has also identified several new ideas for new projects we'd like to discuss with you when you return from your vacation in June.

"As I'm sure you're aware, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected businesses the world over and ours was no exception. As a result, there is currently insufficient funds in the FY2023 budget for staff salary increases or bonuses.

"While we understand that this may come as a disappointment, we know not every reward is financial, and that you'll continue to find the work here fulfilling and allows you to grow personally and professionally.

"Our policy of allowing staff to telecommute will continue through the first two quarters and our benefits package continues to be extremely competitive, in a time when many companies are cutting back. As we come out of the pandemic, we feel we're going to be stronger than ever."

A 2022 survey of 2,000 Americans conducted by OnePoll, on behalf of Bonusly, found, 65 percent of respondents said they would stay at a job with an unappreciative manager if their coworkers and peers recognize their work. But, it also found that 46 percent had left a job because they felt unappreciated.

Unsurprisingly, many commenters shared their views on the message, with many slamming the managers and some even encouraging the user to leave their job.

One Reddit user said: "Well, the performance review gave some great text to put on your resume, which we assume you did as soon as you got this memo."

Another added: "Best time to leave. My company has had many issues due to Covid but still gave everyone other than an assembler who only has been here for one month 7 to 12 percent raises."

A third commenter posted: "'Not every reward is financial.' Right."

Newsweek has contacted u/ubermick for comment.

Update 06/06/22, 11:27 a.m. ET: This article was updated to include Bonusly as the company that commissioned the OnePoll study.