A seasoned professional was left stunned after being informed that their annual salary increase would be zero, despite consistently delivering strong results at work. Feeling blindsided by the decision, the employee shared their experience on the Indian Workplace subreddit, hoping to gain perspective and advice from others who might have faced similar situations.
The employee explained that they were officially told there would be no increment because their performance had been exceptionally strong for several years. Management reportedly described them as one of the most reliable and capable members of the team. However, the justification offered was that their current role had reached the maximum pay limit assigned to that job level within the organization. In other words, no further increase was possible unless their designation changed.
In response, the employee proposed a promotion as a fair alternative. That suggestion, however, was dismissed, with the manager indicating that a role upgrade would not be considered for at least another two years. This effectively meant that the employee was expected to maintain the same high level of output, innovation, and responsibility without any financial growth for an extended period, possibly stretching to three years.
The employee highlighted their strengths, noting that they actively contributed to streamlining processes, identifying new operational improvements, and implementing practical solutions. Working in the banking sector with more than a decade of professional experience, they felt undervalued and cornered. While they believed switching jobs was the most logical step, they admitted that the current market conditions made it challenging to secure new opportunities. Unsure of the best path forward, they turned to the online community for guidance.
The post triggered a wave of reactions from fellow Reddit users. Some advised the employee to stop overextending themselves if their efforts were not being acknowledged. One commenter bluntly suggested either resigning outright or gradually reducing effort while preparing for interviews elsewhere, emphasizing the importance of personal well-being over corporate loyalty.
Another user stressed that self-worth should always come first, arguing that no organization deserves unwavering commitment when it fails to reward dedication fairly. A different commenter shared a personal anecdote, recalling how they once calmly threatened to resign, which resulted in a promotion. Ironically, they still chose to leave the company a couple of months later.
Others offered a more cynical outlook, warning against trusting workplace praise. According to them, verbal appreciation means little without tangible rewards, and a zero increment is often a clear signal that it is time to move on.