Got a performance rating of Exceeds Expectations. My boss requested a significant salary adjustment and I was denied and given the standard 2.5%. Should I quit my job?

[u/FapForYourLife]

I was originally promoted within my company to create a new department about 1.5 years ago. I’ve since worked my ass off and spent the last year doing managerial level work for non-managerial pay ($47k).

I initially accepted this offer as it was in line with my experience at the time but I’ve now shown that my capabilities go far beyond what was originally expected of me. My market value is between $60-75k based on the title I should have.

My boss agreed with this and requested a large pay bump prior to my review. He was denied and told I’d receive the standard 2.5% that everyone else got and could renegotiate in 6 months.

The problem with this is that I was told the same thing the last time I requested a raise and it was never followed up.

I’ve set up a meeting to ask what specific goals and milestones are in place for this 6 month period.

Are they saying to renegotiate in 6 months because raises were already budgeted for review time, or are they just trying to pay me as little as possible.

Worth noting that I love my job - I self manage with hardly any supervision as I chat with my boss every Friday about what’s going on. Should I just leave now or wait until I discuss why my salary adjustment was denied with the CEO?

Edit: I don’t plan to quit without receiving an offer from another company - just asking if it’s worth negotiating with my current employer or if I should just take more money somewhere else.

Edit 2: Holy hell I only expected to get 5-10 responses. Thanks everyone for the help!

Current plan is to discuss why this happened and to also shop around for other jobs. Probably won’t use an offer as leverage although I’ve seen others here do so successfully. Cheers, all.

[u/poisontruffle]

I’ve always gotten counter offers, but I have never accepted them. Usually there was more benefit to leaving vs staying, all things considered.

This might be what you’re suggesting folks do as well, just putting in my two cents because I was confused by the first part of your comment.

[u/ViceroyFizzlebottom → u/poisontruffle]

Before I took the job I'm currently in I had years of great "exceeds" reviews and I made it clear over a couple years how important a promotion was to me. An opportunity for promotion elsewhere arose. When I got that offer, I met with my manager to discuss my opportunity. I advised again that I really want to stay but the offer to leave is very compelling. I asked if he could run it up the pole and see if there was anything else that could be done to retain me. He came back empty handed and I left. In retrospect it was a great move for me, but this whole comment thread has me wondering if I negotiated improperly or with hostility. Now I feel bad about a decision/tactics I made 6 and half years ago!

[u/AHappySnowman → u/ViceroyFizzlebottom]

Assuming you weren't rude, threatening, or otherwise hostile about your new opportunity, you probably did nothing wrong.

[u/trs-eric → u/ViceroyFizzlebottom]

It's fine. It's just not the position of power you expect it to be. The right move was leaving and you did that, so don't worry about it.

[u/premiumPLUM → u/poisontruffle]

The rule of thumb I’m familiar with is that it’s polite to let your current employer know that you’re considering another position and if they request to put together a counteroff to look into it. But never enter the conversation unless you’re fully prepared to leave for the other job.

[u/Eeyore_ → u/poisontruffle]

I feel that, when it comes time for a raise, if I have to get an offer on the table to force their hand, it's not worth the effort. Is that the same behavior I'm going to have to perform in 2 years-4 years? It's especially grating to me in my current role in sales.