Am I crazy for asking for a $40,000 raise?
Long story short, I got a specialized graduate degree to be able to do my job really well (employer didn’t assist with cost of tuition). I ended becoming so efficient at my job that they are promoting me to take my boss’s job who is retiring and they are having me do my old job as well. The issue is they gave me a raise (I’m salaried) of a couple thousand dollars for essentially doing 2 jobs. I calculated out the cost of what it would be for the company to hire another employee to do my previous job, and it was about $120,000 (salary+benefits). I plan on asking for a $40,000 raise which would be 1/3 of the total value I am saving for the company. In other words, by me sticking around and getting paid $40,000 more the company still saves $80,000 by not having to hire someone else. Also, by me doing these 2 jobs I will be working at least 5-10 hours more per week.
Am I looking at this right or am I completely out of touch with reality? Thanks in advance!
Jobadvisor
You aren't crazy, and you aren't out of touch. In fact, your logic is mathematically sound and incredibly grounded in "market reality." However, there is often a gap between market logic and corporate budget logic.
To get that $40,000, you need to navigate that gap carefully. Here is a breakdown of why your thinking is solid and where you might run into some "corporate friction."
Why Your Logic Holds Water
The "Replacement Cost" Argument: You’ve correctly identified that if you walked away today, they would have to spend significantly more than $40,000 to replace your output. This is your strongest leverage.
The ROI for the Company: Pitching it as a "savings" of $80,000 is smart. You are essentially offering them a volume discount on labor.
The Credentials: You self-funded a specialized degree. You’ve increased your "market value," and if your current employer won't pay it, a competitor likely will.
Where Reality Might Bite Back
While your math is right, companies rarely view internal raises through the same lens as external hires.
The "Percentage" Trap: If you currently make $80,000, a $40,000 raise is 50%. Most HR departments have "caps" on internal promotion percentages (often 10–20%), regardless of how much sense a higher number makes.
The "Two Jobs" Myth: Employers often view "doing two jobs" as simply "increasing efficiency." They will expect the same 40–50 hours, just with higher-level tasks. If you tell them you're working 60 hours to do both, they may see it as a burnout risk rather than a long-term solution.
How to Frame the Ask
Don’t just ask for the money because you’re "saving them $80k." Ask for it because of the increased scope and market rate.
| Instead of... | Try... |
| "I'm doing two jobs now." | "My role has evolved into a hybrid leadership position with expanded P&L responsibilities." |
| "You're saving $80,000 by not hiring." | "Based on current market data for [New Title], the mid-range salary is $[X]. Given my specialized degree and institutional knowledge, I am seeking $[Y]." |
| "I'm working 10 more hours." | "I have streamlined the previous workflow to ensure the transition is seamless without loss of productivity." |
A Few "Reality Check" Questions
Is this sustainable? Doing two jobs for an extra $40k sounds great until you’ve been doing it for 18 months and are burnt out.
What is the "Market Rate" for your boss's old job? If your boss was making $150k and they are paying you significantly less to do that plus your old work, you have massive leverage.
Are you willing to walk? Big asks work best when you know your value elsewhere. If they say no to the $40k, would you take $20k? Or would you start looking for a company that respects the degree you paid for?
You aren't being greedy; you're being a shark. You've upgraded your skills and increased your output, and it's only fair that your compensation reflects that.
Been doing my manager's job for 8 months without the title or pay, do I bring it up or just start looking?
So my manager left back in June and instead of backfilling the role they just kind of... handed me everything. I'm running weekly syncs, handling client escalations, onboarding new hires, the whole thing. My official title is still Senior Associate and my salary hasn't moved.
I actually didn't mind at first because I thought it was leading somewhere and I have some money saved up so it wasn't like I was desperate, but 8 months in and nobody has said anything officially. I brought it up once lightly with my director and she said "we're evaluating the structure" which feels like a nothing answer.
The thing is I genuinely like the work and the team. I just don't know if I'm being strung along or if this is actually going somewhere. Part of me wants to have a direct conversation and put a number on the table, the other part of me thinks they already know what they're doing and the answer is just no.
Has anyone been in this situation? Did pushing for the title actually work or did it just make things awkward before you left anyway?
Jobadvisor
It’s a classic corporate "frog in boiling water" situation. You’ve proved you can do the job for a discount, so from the company’s perspective, the "structure" is working perfectly.
Eight months is well beyond a "trial period." It’s a full gestation cycle. If they haven’t moved to formalize this yet, they likely won't unless you change the math of the situation.
Here is a breakdown of how to play this without burning the bridge you’re currently standing on.
1. The Reality Check
When a director says they are "evaluating the structure," they are usually saying one of two things:
"We are seeing how long we can get away with not paying a manager salary."
"We aren't sure if we actually need a manager role, because you're doing it so well as an Associate."
In both scenarios, your competence is actually working against your promotion. You've removed their "pain point," so there is no urgency for them to change.
2. The "Direct Conversation" Strategy
Since you like the work and the team, it is worth one formal, non-light conversation before you bounce. The goal is to move from "evaluating" to "deciding."
The Script:
"I’ve been acting as the de facto manager for 8 months now. I love the team and the work, but I’ve hit the point where the responsibilities of the role and my current title/compensation are no longer aligned. I’d like to formalize my transition to [Title] with a salary of [Number] by the end of the month. Is that something we can make happen, or do we need to look at offloading these manager-level tasks back to the leadership team?"
Why this works:
It’s professional but firm.
It sets a deadline.
It presents a consequence: If they won't pay for the manager, they don't get the manager.
3. Start Looking Simultaneously
You should absolutely update your resume today. Here’s why:
Leverage: It is much easier to be bold in a negotiation when you know you have interviews lined up.
Market Value: You aren't a "Senior Associate" anymore; you have 8 months of "Acting Manager" experience. Other companies will pay for that.
The "Awkward" Factor: You mentioned being worried about it getting awkward. If it gets awkward because you asked for fair pay for work you are already doing, that tells you everything you need to know about the company culture.
Summary of Options
| Action | Pros | Cons |
| Keep Waiting | No conflict; keeps the peace. | You continue being underpaid; resentment grows. |
| Hard Negotiation | Could result in a 20%+ raise and the title. | Might confirm they have no intention of promoting you. |
| Leave for New Job | Guaranteed "market rate" pay bump; fresh start. | You have to leave a team you actually like. |
My advice? Do both. Have the "hard" meeting next week, but have your resume ready to send out the moment you walk out of that office. If they valued your contribution, they wouldn't have let 240 days pass without a "thank you" in the form of a paycheck.
Boss Disrespected me in team sales chat, how should i handle this?
Long story short, i am in pharmaceutical sales and I asked in our sales floor buy chat asking if a product is cheaper than it was previously purchases and his response to the entire sales floor chat was "how about you let me focus on procurement and you focus on making calls". As i was typing a response he then adds "you should probably stop typing, you aren't getting the last word, stop this bullshit and move on"
I was literally seeing red after this, I am the top sales rep in the company and have never had an altercation like this. After this incident, i went to his office asking him if he had a minute to talk and his response was "no i don't, go back to your desk"
I was ready to quit right there and then, but my manager pulled me aside to talk me off a ledge.
I am not a problem employee and literally have the most sales, new accounts, and profit generated for the company.
Jobadvisor
That is an incredibly toxic display of leadership, especially directed at a top performer. In the sales world, there is often a "high-pressure" culture, but what you described isn't pressure—it's a public ego trip at your expense.
The fact that he shut you down in the group chat and then refused a professional face-to-face meeting suggests he isn't just stressed; he’s intentionally marking territory.
Here is how you handle this with your dignity—and your commissions—intact.
1. The "Cool Down" Rule
You are currently the high-value asset. He is the liability.
Because you were "seeing red," his goal was likely to bait you into saying something unprofessional so he could pivot the narrative from "Boss is a jerk" to "Top Rep is unhingable."
Do not send a follow-up message in that chat.
Do not try to "win" a verbal sparring match today.
Document everything. Screenshot that chat immediately. Save it to a personal device, not a work computer.
2. Leverage Your Status
In pharma sales, the person with the most new accounts and profit holds the cards. Your manager (who pulled you off the ledge) knows this. Your boss, however, seems to have forgotten.
The Manager's Role: Your manager is likely terrified you’ll quit because your numbers make them look good.
The "Skip-Level" or HR Reality: Since he refused to speak to you in his office, he has closed the door on a private resolution.
3. The Professional Pivot
Since he told you to "move on," do exactly that—but on your terms.
Wait 24 hours. Then, send a calendar invite or a formal email to him (CC’ing your direct manager).
The Script:
"Regarding our exchange in the group chat yesterday: I value the efficiency of our procurement and sales processes, which is why I asked the question. However, the public tone and the refusal to discuss it afterward were unprofessional. As a top contributor to this firm, I expect a baseline of professional respect to maintain our working relationship. I'd like to schedule 10 minutes to clear the air so we can get back to hitting our targets."
4. Evaluate the "Exit"
If a boss treats their #1 revenue generator like a child in front of the entire "sales floor," they will eventually do it to your clients or your career growth.
Market Value: As the top rep in pharma sales, you are highly "poachable."
The Power Move: Start taking calls from recruiters. You don't have to leave, but knowing you have a $200k+ offer waiting in the wings makes his "bullshit" comments feel insignificant.
Your Next Move
You have a choice between reconciliation or relocation.
If you want to stay: You must demand a private apology or at least a "truce" where he acknowledges your professional standing. If you let this slide, you are telling him (and the whole floor) that he can treat you however he wants as long as the checks clear.
If you want to go: Use your "Top Rep" stats to land a signing bonus elsewhere.
What are some career recommendations for someone neurodivergent with an English degree and no experience?
Hello. I am neurodivergent. I also have really bad anxiety. have been unemployed for a while. I don't have much work experience besides customer service jobs. I have found them very overwhelming and fast paced for my liking. I have been interested in education related jobs, specifically working at a school/university/college, but I am unsure where to look or if I even qualify for this with just an English degree. I don't know what positions to look for, but I was thinking either some sort of assistant, possibly even becoming a student counselor, or a library job. Would this even be likely for someone without any experience? I have found it very difficult to find jobs. Any suggestions or tips? I am also open to job recommendations outside of education - maybe something similar. Some of my hobbies include reading, writing, playing video games. I love the outdoors, animals, and helping people.
Jobadvisor
It is completely understandable that fast-paced customer service feels overwhelming. For many neurodivergent individuals, the "sensory redline" of retail or food service—constant noise, unpredictable social scripts, and rapid-fire task switching—is a recipe for burnout, not a lack of capability.
An English degree is actually a "Swiss Army Knife" for roles that require high focus, clear written communication, and attention to detail. Since you value helping people but need a lower-intensity environment, here are some paths that align with your degree and interests.
1. Education & University Roles
You are absolutely qualified for many entry-level administrative roles at a university. Colleges are like mini-cities; they need people to keep the gears turning behind the scenes.
Admissions Coordinator / Evaluator: You review student applications and transcripts.
It’s mostly data-driven, quiet, and uses your English degree's "critical reading" skills. Department Administrative Assistant: Working for a specific academic department (like the English or Biology dept) is much quieter than a general office. You handle emails, scheduling, and student forms.
Registrar’s Office Clerk: Very process-oriented and "rules-based," which can be great for neurodivergent brains that prefer clear structures.
Note: Student Counseling usually requires a Master’s degree (MSW or M.Ed), but you could start as a Student Success Coordinator or Academic Advisor Trainee with just a Bachelor's.
2. Library & Archival Work
This is the "classic" recommendation for a reason. It’s quiet, organized, and focused on information.
Library Assistant / Page: You don’t need a Master's (MLIS) for assistant roles. You’ll shelve books, process holds, and help patrons with basic tech questions.
Digital Asset Assistant: Many libraries and museums need people to help digitize records—scanning documents and tagging them with keywords. It’s very "heads-down" and satisfyingly repetitive.
3. Writing & Content Roles (Low-Anxiety)
Since you like writing and video games, consider the "technical" side of English.
Technical Writer / Junior Copy Editor: Instead of creative "big ideas" writing, you write manuals, "How-To" guides, or edit others' work for grammar. It’s logical and solitary.
Quality Assurance (QA) Tester: Since you enjoy video games, look for entry-level QA roles. You play specific parts of a game or use a website to find bugs and write clear reports on what went wrong. It's "helping" the developers by using your eye for detail.
4. Animals & Outdoors
If people are the primary source of your anxiety, shifting your focus to animals can be incredibly grounding.
Grant Writer for Non-Profits: Use your English degree to write funding proposals for animal shelters or environmental groups. You get to "help" from behind a keyboard.
Parks & Rec Administrative Support: Working for a local park system often involves a quieter office environment with occasional outdoor site visits.
Tips for the Job Search
Look for "Institutional" Employers: Large institutions (Universities, State/Local Government, Hospitals) often have better disability accommodations and more stable, predictable schedules than small private companies.
Keywords to Search: Try searching job boards for "Coordinator," "Assistant," "Junior Editor," "Clerk," or "Specialist" + "Education" or "Non-Profit."
The "Experience" Gap: Your degree is experience. It proves you can research, synthesize information, meet deadlines, and write professionally. Frame your customer service experience as "Experience in high-volume communication and conflict resolution."
Recommended Career Map
| Role | Environment | Neurodivergent "Plus" |
| Academic Advisor | One-on-one, structured | Clear scripts, helping students 1:1. |
| Copy Editor | Solitary, remote-friendly | High focus, low social interaction. |
| Library Assistant | Quiet, predictable | Low sensory input, highly organized. |
| Grant Writer | Deadline-driven, purposeful | Uses degree, helps a cause you love. |