I worked for a call center as a stop gap when I was younger. The economy had shit itself and while this company was doing great, it was looking to save money because they knew they could squeeze desperate people. Annual raises were coming up. They were based on a system heavily influenced by disciplinary action, so many of my coworkers started getting verbal and written warnings for ridiculous things.

I finally got written up for not pulling up a reference before telling a customer about a past event. I didn't pull the reference up because I already had it and other common topics open for easy access, which my supervisor told us to do.

I disputed the write-up but the department manager denied it as "the information could have changed between calls, so you should have looked it up through our knowledge base". I asked how the past could have changed and was told it doesn't matter: it's policy. I asked to see the policy. The goalposts immediately changed: "disciplinary action is at management's discretion and this was a serious error in judgment". I told them that I was shocked anyone could say that and still expect to be taken seriously, even by themselves, and refused to sign my write-up. I was pulled into the HR manager's office and given a "Final Warning" write-up for my attitude and not signing my initial write-up. I signed that one and got on a PIP, so they were happy.

Annual reviews were that week. I had extraordinary performance stats but got a $0.04 per hour annual raise - $83.20 per year! I walked out once I got a new job.

I just checked: my old manager is now a "boss babe" who sells essential oils and scented candles for MLMs. Sometimes a life well lived really is the best revenge.

The government says we had 2.7% inflation last year. Your expenses only went up by 2.7% last year, right? That sounds honest.

Wow, 1.5%? They're being generous this year!

Actual footage of my employer:

"Exceeds expectations"

"Exceeds expectations"

"Exceeds expectations"

"Exceeds expectations"

'Well, nanner, you got one write up, which is lower than 95% of the company, so looks like you'll only be getting 1.5% instead of the 3% for average, and I don't personally give out the 6% raise I'm allowed to.' - my fucking supervisor, while other supervisors hand out everything like candy (not really, they just shower their favorite)

I remember it used to be "Oh, not much in terms of payrises this year. The business isn't doing so well". Now they just don't care enough to even lie to you.

It's "Another record breaking year, amazing work team, except that team, you're all redundant now. Also everyone else, sorry only 1% raise left for you from our record breaking year. Also, there's now a whole team's worth of work to pick up. Chop chop"

You guys are getting raises?

The best is you'll get updates about senior management going on retreats, hanging out in the box seats at sports games, and record profit growth at the company.

Then they lay you off because one client decided to go with someone else.

If you can make more elsewhere then switch jobs. Companies have no loyalty to you, so you shouldn't have any to them. It's all financial, so do the best you can for yourself. Companies count on you not wanting to change jobs - don't play their game.

I mean, from my own experience, my wage has increased 32% in 5-6 years, including those 1.5% merit raises, cost of living raises, and raises through our bonus system, which is above the overall inflation rate for that period. I'm aware my employer is pretty good in that regard, and we do have a union.

last year we got a COL adjustment only, company wide, due to the trade situation. I accepted that, it's better than laying people off. my work output responded in kind, however, after a very high output past year.

the business has had a year to handle the trade situation. this year I am owed my merit raise from the year previous (lol they're not gonna do fuck all about that) and a merit raise for 2025. let's see what I get.

You guys get increases?