Pants On Fire

It’s a story you’ve heard at least once: an employee goes above and beyond expectations all year, only to get a measly 4% increase. Maybe it’s even happened to you. In those situations, your boss usually has some sort of reason. But the surprising thing is that there are some common lies they tell employees in order to deny them that raise. 

Here’s Five Fast Facts About Paycheck Lies:

1. 🧾 It’s Not In the Budget - This is a common lie. If your company is profitable, the money is there. They just don’t want to give it to you and likely it’s gone to someone else further up the food chain. MillerKnoll, we’re looking at you.
2. 🗓️ Next Year - Here’s another obvious one. Telling you it’ll pay off next year is an easy way to keep you hanging on and continue to give it your all.
3. 📈 This Raise is Above Average - Even if it’s true, this is a sly way to keep you from expecting a substantial raise next year.
4. 🛑 Unstoppable - The sad reality is that there isn’t a law preventing leadership from lying to you, unless you have a contract. And since most employment is at-will, you’re on your own.
5. 🙂 Be Polite - If you have a death wish or want to ensure you don’t get any kind of substantial raise ever again, do not accuse your boss of lying. Polite, non-threatening conversation can go a long way toward resolution.

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🔥Bottom line: Your boss, their boss, and even the CEO can lie to you without consequences. Even if you get them to promise the raise in writing, they can still find a way not to give it to you. Smart bosses will reward the employees without hesitation. It’s a sign of appreciation from your employer and reminds you that you are indeed valuable to the company.

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Have you ever been lied to about a raise?

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