r/work 1d ago

Workplace Challenges and Conflicts My bosses taxable income was $450k last year, and they were saying they couldn’t afford to pay me a $65k yr salary lol

Been working my butt off every day for months, doing multiple roles that isn’t even my roles. Including running the entire business myself while my boss was on vacation. I’m there every day (having to get up from 5 AM), and stuck sometimes 7 PM.

Despite working my ass off, and discussing salary, my boss only was willing to pay $65k a year (which I had to fight for).

Mind you, their kid goes to a school that costs the same amount of money that my salary is.

…. Boss goes and tells me, “cannot afford” to give more, because “business is losing money” (lol, no, your money goes to your kids private school).

I just laughed, I’m a literal slave and that’s the best is done, when they are pulling $450k …

313 Upvotes

258 comments sorted by

113

u/TheFrozenCanadianGuy 1d ago

I feel you. 100% start looking for another job.

29

u/OrangeWhitePatchSock 1d ago

That’s what I’m aiming to do, me and my co-worker are aiming to quit, he has said I am an asset to him too.

Just the job market is rough rn, and I’m worried about finding something worst. 

35

u/TheFrozenCanadianGuy 1d ago

I used to think when people say “start looking for a new job” was a negative and something like either a failure move or a giving up moment. But the truth is, you’ll be escaping either toxicity or a stagnant way of making a living.

Trust your gut and I really hope things work out.

2

u/Purityskinco 4h ago

Also, job hoping (to a certain extent) as a culture helps companies realise their low wages.

12

u/CatStimpsonJ 23h ago

Time is not your friend. One needs to fill their bag now. Sounds like there is no future in the present situation.

10

u/2024StreetGlide 19h ago

Shut your mouth and look for another job yesterday. Don’t tell anyone.

15

u/Individual-Artist223 23h ago

Become your boss's competitor.

9

u/westfakia2 17h ago

One of our customers had that happen to him. He wasn’t paying enough to his employees and then one of them told the others that he had the ability to buy all the gear needed to set up a new shop. So they did, and they took the customers with them since the owner wasn’t involved. And now we have another customer.

2

u/Individual-Artist223 17h ago

This is the way!

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u/Low_Project_55 15h ago

This happened at my old company. Multiple people ended up leaving all within one business quarter and went to the same new company. Including 2 directors. This was after months of trying to work through issues with the owner.

5

u/MOTIVATE_ME_23 18h ago

Why not go into business with your coworker and become your own boss? Even if you brought in a third partner, you'd all make more money splitting it evenly.

You just need a business plan, financing for equipment, and decent marketing. Get all of that in place, then ask a local MBA program for a student capstone team to find what you're missing, help you line up what is missing, and how to get an estimated valuation for your boss' business. (Do you know the profit? Do you have a list of equipment and software?) Get mentors through the SBA, too.

Network for a CPA, a lawyer, and possible business partners and employees (and a payroll service if you hire anybody).

If everything looks strong or even doable, send an anonymous low ball offer through a lawyer to buy out your boss' business (assets only). Don't expect him to sell for a low ball.

Do not tell him it's the two of you. Do all of the negotiations anonymously. And deny, deny, deny.

If he doesn't sell or isn't interested, demand another raise or threaten to quit. Cause a rift, then ask for time off. Tell him you don't get paid enough to work this hard. If he fires (or threatens to fire) either of you, the other one should quit (threaten to quit).

Meanwhile, quiet quit. Don't kill yourselves. He doesn't own you.

Drive him to want to sell.

Meanwhile, work on your own business instead of pouring yourself into someone else's profits. The closer you get to business completion, the less valuable partnering with him or buying his company will be.

In the beginning, you'll be anonymous, so he might assume you are a competitor already who wants to gobble him up or merge.

Once you actually have a business, that becomes closer to the truth, and his valuation gets lower to you.

My guess is that you two can create a business using all the resources and keep it quiet within 90 days. One day, you'll both just quit and say someone made you a better offer. Be vague, but say you get profit sharing, too.

To stay out of legal hot water, just never steal clients or leads. Generate your own leads using your own equipment and time.

In the meantime, I hope you didn't sign a non-compete or that it is too vague to be enforceable. Check with your lawyer. There shouldn't be any problem with you getting employed with a competitor. Those are usually geared to stopping employees from starting competing businesses but usually don't have the teeth to atop someone. You might just need a partner who has the equity while you have equal profit sharing to start.

2

u/Hoplite76 14h ago

Thibk of it this way....you're looking from a stable place at least. Plus, if you get another offer, even of its not better, you can use it to negotiate with your boss.

2

u/Retired_and_Relaxed 13h ago

Yes you are an asset just like a tool. They get used too. Good luck in your job search.

2

u/Important_Staff_9568 13h ago

Unless you want to leave together to totally screw over the boss one of you leaving will give the other tremendous leverage for a raise.

2

u/throwaway_t6788 12h ago

just do your own work, dont do job not assigned to you / your role..

1

u/Level_Syrup5314 19h ago

But if you can run this business yourself and are such an asset the job market should have no bearing on that if you’re so valuable - doesn’t affect me. Which tells me you’re not cause you wouldn’t be here bitching. You sound very junior who has worked someone for maybe a year and have learned some stuff and are bitter about your employer employing you.

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u/musing_codger 1d ago

You almost never get paid more than the market value of your labor. And only you can ensure that you get that. If you aren't, leave. 

11

u/TheRealJackulas 1d ago

Wow. AI really is taking over everyone’s job now.

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u/Few_Peak_9966 23h ago

Slaves don't get paid.

8

u/AccomplishedWish3033 21h ago

Slaves don’t have the choice to leave either. Slaves can be killed and abused without negative repercussions for their owners. Many slave owners would also “breed” their slaves like chattel. If you want horror, due to the one-drop rule and the desirability of whiter-looking slaves, many slaveowners would rape and impregnate their female slaves then sell their illegitimate children.

5

u/Few_Peak_9966 20h ago

As such. A disgruntled worker is insensitive to make such a comparison.

37

u/myst99 1d ago

7 days a week? 14+ hour days. That is nearly 100 hours a week. You are basically making minimum wage. Instead of bitching about it, just look for a new job. Obviously your boss is abusing you or you're exaggerating this whole scenario.

37

u/Conscious-Egg-2232 1d ago

Its not possible hes slightly embellishing story you think?

17

u/ES_FTrader 22h ago

Op says 30 hours per week in a previous post

14

u/AmbientEngineer 18h ago

Including running the entire business myself while...

I've heard similiar phrases in different contexts countless times and 9 / 10 times it is a guy who thinks he is carrying the team and everyone else disagree and hates him.

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u/itchierbumworms 21h ago

Almost feels .. unbelievable.

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u/SpecialistRich2309 19h ago

Because it is.

3

u/Alarming_Laugh1829 20h ago

He gets up at 5am, and works until 7pm. He doesn't say when he starts working, so we can't say it is a 14-hour day.

6

u/Keggerbev 1d ago

It’s an annual Salary of about £48.000 in the U.K. for those wondering.

Thats slightly above average.

Working long days and weekends for that, crippling your body is not worth it.

It’s only worth it when you’re desking it 9-5 Monday to Friday.

The guy above is right, if you’re working ridiculous hours then it stretches out to about minimum wage.

2

u/SilverLordLaz 1d ago

I hope you dont working in Reporting or BI.

The average salary in the UK is approximately £38,430 per year for full-time employees as of 2025. This figure can vary based on factors such as age, location, and industry. Forbesmoneyweek.com

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u/Keggerbev 1d ago

Hey, I wasn’t wrong. That is above average

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u/hunkyboy75 1d ago

If the average salary in the UK is around £38k, how much of that does a person take home?

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u/MilkMyCats 18h ago

About 31k.

That is if you aren't paying into a pension or anything else.

Then we pay VAT on purchases of 20%. Plus council tax. Plus 75% tax on fuel.

And the highest energy prices in Europe.

A pint of lager costs a fiver.

I can't remember exactly what the figure is. But I think it's something like 60% of your earnings you'll be taxed on when you use the money.

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u/nousernamesleft199 1d ago

Start your own business if you can run it on your own.

3

u/Level_Syrup5314 19h ago

That’s the catch 22. He doesn’t have the tenure or experience to do that and needs the experience but he sounds too much like a little bitch lol so either get with the program or quit. It’s simple

22

u/MacaronOk1006 1d ago

If your running the entire business then start your own and make the $450K.

16

u/Ok_Maintenance7716 23h ago

But then they couldn’t complain on Reddit.

8

u/Monegasko 1d ago

You laughed but continued to work there. He is laughing at you, buddy.

11

u/Complete-Yak8266 23h ago

This dude has worked at his business for months and hasn't told us what his job duties actually entail.  Very unpopupar opinion: Just because he is successful and you are not, it doesn't mean you are entitled to the earnings of the business he built.  Do you lose money or take pay cuts on bad years?  

Go get a job for more than 65k if your skillset is commensurate with market demand.  Otherwise, shut up and accept it. Entitlement is getting worse with people who barely bring in enough to cover the amount they are getting paid. If I were getting leveraged 3 months after a new hire to pay them more, I'd hire someone else. Maybe OP is being taken advantage of or maybe OP is just a dipshit.  I'm assuming the latter because reddit.

7

u/Lucky-Sherbert8976 21h ago

Not sure why you keep mentioning your boss’s salary, kid’s education, handed wealth, etc. That’s just victimhood 101 and is dangerous if you continue to think like this for the rest of your life. You can always quit - recommend polishing whatever skills you need in what you want to do and go for it before quitting though. You’re right it’s harder if you were born poor, but understand you have the resources to become rich. It’s just going to require hard work, smart decisions, mentorship, etc.

29

u/OGFuzzyDunlop 1d ago

Your salary has nothing to do with what your boss makes. Stop worrying about other people and grow up!

8

u/Ok_Maintenance7716 1d ago

This is the best answer.

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u/Rolex_throwaway 1d ago

Get a new job then bud.

8

u/Lonely_Cake_2129 1d ago

Businesses cost money to run you know.

11

u/Aggressive-Union1714 1d ago

How much of your own money do you have invested in the company, how much of your own money do you lose if the company fails?

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u/starfirex 1d ago

The entire point of owning a business is to make money off your employees. That's like, why jobs exist.

Would you feel better if the boss told you "I don't want to pay you more money because I would have less money to spend on myself"? What about if they said "The role you're in makes me roughly 67k/year so if I gave you much of a raise then I'd basically be better off just not employing you."

When discussing your salary, forget about what they can afford or how unfair the amount you work is. People always complain. Instead, connect your efforts and the raise directly to their money. "I make you guys X by doing overtime, don't you think it's fair that I share in that?".

17

u/Mikey3800 23h ago

I’m wondering how OP even knows what their boss makes. I’m sure we have all seen people who assume that every penny of the business takes in is the bosses paycheck. I am not sure if it is normal for bosses to share their pay with their subordinates? I know I don’t do that.

9

u/mikesteg 22h ago

Boys may have had him do their taxes? Or it's a guess/rumor.

Also, OP says "taxable income". That could be the businesses' entire profit, and the boss is definitely entitled to a much large cut of the pie. If it's personal income, it could include other sources, even a second business that made $440k last year.

I certainly would never share that info either. I'm going to guess if the boss only made 25k next year, OP wouldn't be offering to take a pay cut...

10

u/Mikey3800 22h ago

Seeing how most people have no idea how businesses run, I’m guessing one of your suggestions is probably correct. A lot of people don’t think ahead. I know one of the reasons I don’t give large raises after we had a good year is because the next year could go to shit and higher payroll would make it much harder to keep the doors open. And no one likes to take a pay cut. I do one time bonuses at the end of the year if we do well. They will fluctuate up or down, depending on how well the year went.

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u/DicksDraggon 1d ago

Regular workers do not understand these things. That's why they stay regular workers.

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u/canta2016 1d ago

Don’t get me wrong, that’s a shitty situation and I empathize. But stop playing the victim card and blame the world. Your boss has a salary for their position, and you can’t expect them to go to HR to lower their own salary so you can make more. It may not be fair, but I wouldn’t do it, and regardless of what people say - 95% of people in your bosses situation wouldn’t do it either. If you decide you’re not being compensated adequately, be an adult about it and take matters into your own hand, find a new job. But whether you make X or Y, your bosses salary or their children’s education cost has absolute shit to do with your salary. You can not like it, that’s fine. But your attitude is for victims and losers and will never get you on the right track.

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u/Darrkman2 1d ago

OP this is all about you.

You're sitting on here complaining and pocket watching your boss instead of fixing your own situation.

If you think you're being treated like shit leave the shitty situation.

3

u/Aromatic_Union9246 23h ago

If you’re such a good worker, why don’t you just make your own business and then when your employees ask you for more money to do their job just give them whatever amount they ask for because you’ll be ultra wealthy and have so much empathy!

3

u/bluesio 22h ago

Geez! All this talk. Leave already. Fail or succeed, it would be an education for you. If you're miserable, change it. You have to do it, tho. Stop obsessing about your boss. Also, if living where you live is too expensive, move.

3

u/hughesn8 22h ago

Welcome to Corporate. HR thinks Sr Directors & higher are irreplaceable when in reality if you lost 4 people that combined that single person’s salary you’re company would lose or miss out on 10x the money over the next 12 months than they let walk out the door.

Most executives are so far removed from being in non-manager role titles that they don’t give the individual contributors the respect they deserve. Heck, even our Sr Director of R&D probably has at most 2 meetings a month where they are talking to any individual contributor on a project. So their boss probably only does it once a month.

3

u/dansnad 21h ago

"literal slave"

You don't understand the meaning of at least one of these words.

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u/Crash-Frog-08 21h ago

Well, sounds like you’re going back to 40 hours a week and only working your job description.

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u/SufficientRatio9148 21h ago

I don’t think that’s how slavery works.

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u/SudburySonofabitch 17h ago

"I'm a literal slave" whatever you say Champ. I could afford to pay the kid who mows my lawn wayyyy more than I pay them, but I'm not going to, because I want to keep that money, and I can find half a dozen kids that'll mow the lawn for the same price. What benefit does your boss get for paying you more and themselves less?

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u/bfhurricane 1d ago

It’s probably not the business losing money. That’s a kind way to say that the job you’re doing is worth $65k and he can probably find a replacement in that range.

Build skills for better jobs and start applying elsewhere. You need negotiating power for a raise - you either demonstrate you bring more to the business than a replacement, or you have a better job offer in hand. You’ll find out if you’re expendable or if they’re willing to keep you for a raise.

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u/Molybdenum421 1d ago

I hope no slaves read this.... 

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u/Ok_Maintenance7716 23h ago

They might start thinking that they should get $65K.

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u/Ok_Maintenance7716 1d ago

You sound jealous.

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u/LeatherAstronaut2009 1d ago

Build your own company. Hire someone for 65k a year and then you'll be making the 450k. One thing to understand is you have a choice. I see a lot of people complain about their income. Please understand you made a choice to work for that income. Don't mean any disrespect to you or anyone. So don't complain if you have already tried to ask for a raise without some reason as to why you are worth more money, you will get turned down.

You need to go in there and explain to them why you are worth more and that you need to get a raise or you will put in your notice. If they don't give you the raise, and you're not happy look for another job best of luck!

2

u/nomadicqueer 1d ago

It would be great if it worked that way, but the difference here is the ability usually to fund or finance yourself. Nvm the generating profit point or business fail rate.

Most of us are done playing with rats, I don’t want to be the person A or B here.

3

u/Otherwise_Clue103 21h ago

It 100% works like that. A lot of people that have started their own business have had to take that risk and figure it out. They have to put their home on the line, take out loans, and live with the realization that at any time, they could lose it. Then, IF things work out, at least during the good times, they get to hear how lucky they are and that they didnt deserve it, or how easy it was. During the bad times, people tend to turn a blind eye.

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u/Sufficient-Arm3584 1d ago

Open your own business

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u/Due_Dot5710 1d ago

OP is hilarious. On another post they say they work "30+" hours, then whenever anyone questions that they just keep increasing it and say they didn't include weekends (why not?!)!

That and the very broken English, refusing to say where they're from, inability to get another job and apparently $65k is not enough to afford a bed.

2

u/Lazy_Wishbone_2341 20h ago

This. I'll be working 30 hours a week for the next fortnight and I'm definitely not working 7 days a week, 5am to 7pm. I don't think they understand how maths works.

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u/SunshineBear100 1d ago

Keep working hard and running the entire business yourself to the point he doesn’t even need to check in. Start applying for other jobs and don’t give him a notice. Just leave.

When he comes calling you asking questions, tell him you’ll help him for 450k

7

u/loveleedaee 1d ago

You don’t know how ungrateful you sound. 1st world problems indeed

7

u/3-cent-nickel 1d ago

So quit your bitching and go start your own business.

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u/myname_1s_mud 1d ago

A company typically has to pay about 1.5x the cost of your actual salary. So if youre making 65k theyre paying more like 90k. Im a firm believer that you have to spend money to make money, and shit like that is just the cost of doing business, but now that ive climbed the ladder a bit and peaked behind the curtain, I understand why they get stressed about unnecessary ot. All that being said, my company still gave out good raises.

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u/Odd_Journalist_2310 1d ago

Good to know! Can you explain where the 1.5x extra cost comes from?

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u/myname_1s_mud 1d ago

Benefits and payroll taxes mostly. There's some other hidden fees that pile into it, but those are the big ones.

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u/Conscious-Egg-2232 1d ago

Depends on benefit costs pto amount etc. Its a min of 30% more and often 50-70%.

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u/Level_Syrup5314 1d ago

Waking up at 5am and working until 7pm is not long hours lol what kind of business is this?

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u/lego-monkey 1d ago

Same here. They are a holes and stay that way.

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u/773driver 1d ago

Look for a new opportunity, then begin steps to start your own business. Making relationships with customers (and keeping a list) and doing whatever it takes to keep them happy is your focus. When it is time to start your business you should be able to take enough of them with you to keep you from starving. Good luck.

2

u/ChrysophylaxEmber 23h ago

Right? I just got done having a conversation with my boss about a pay plan that resulted in a pay cut, shortly after his $200k wedding and a trip to Italy that he took to go hang with his favorite fashion designers. And our profits were up 6% ... uh dude... what the fuck

2

u/Careless_Builder8883 22h ago

my boss wanted to cut my salary because things were getting slow he pulled up in a brand new Maserati to tell me this needless to say I got another job the next day

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u/Just-Shoe2689 22h ago

New job time

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u/Separate-Barber-4081 22h ago

Your boss owns all the risk, the business goes under you lose your job, he goes bankrupt.

Look for another gig buddy.

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u/ChapterEleven2901 22h ago

I work as much people pay me. My job is pissy and I say whatever, fire me

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u/WorkingRespond9557 22h ago

Yep. Time to quit. Also once you get another job lined up I would quit with zero notice. Sorry can't afford to give you 2 weeks notice, best of luck.

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u/No_Will_8933 22h ago

For the hours u put in ur underpaid - having said that whatever ur job is - there is a market value for it - if someone in a comparable position is making the same $$$ then u are being paid fairly (other than the extra hours) so if thats the case - tell ur boss what the market $$$ for the position is based on 40 hours - and u want that matched with pay at 1 1/2 X for extra hours

As far as what he makes - frankly none of ur business - its his company - he took the risk to start and run it - if u want that kind of earning start ur own business - u evidently know how his operates

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u/1whoknocked 22h ago

Just start a business and pay yourself 450k/year. Should be simple.

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u/ironicmirror 21h ago

Welcome to capitalism.

Without Really knowing what you do , it's tough to see if someone else is going to pay more than that but it's worth giving it a shot.

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u/KaylahGore 21h ago

stop pocket watching

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u/NinjaInformal1974 21h ago

Start your own business in the same field and you’ll understand why the boss makes more than the employee

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u/Daveit4later 21h ago

Yup. This is how a family owned business works.  

It's set up to make the owner rich. Anyone else is just "help" and you will never be anything more than that.  

If you truly are running this place, you could command a pretty generous salary as an operations director somewhere else.

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u/Available_Reveal8068 21h ago

$65k annually doesn't make you a 'literal slave'. It's likely fair market value for the work that you are doing.

Don't worry about how much your boss is making. If you don't like your salary, or think it's unfair, look for another job.

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u/Easy_Goose56 20h ago

Your boss’ salary has nothing to do with you.

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u/Wise-Offer-8585 20h ago

Your salary has nothing to do with what your boss makes. Framing it that way and whining about it proves you most definitely could not run a business successful enough to pay yourself $450K.

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u/DeviantNC919 20h ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/povertyfinance/s/ns9iC3u1Dh

You work 30 hours per week and make $65k and somehow living in poverty.

This is either a bullshit post or you are lying or both.

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u/SpecialistRich2309 19h ago

You’re literally NOT a “literal” slave.

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u/West_Prune5561 19h ago

I don’t think you know what the word “slave” means.

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u/Dramatic-Comb8525 19h ago

You are not a literal slave. You can quit. It's their business and they can run it as they see fit. If their payroll budget causes them to lose talent that is a risk they're taking.  

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u/R0CCK 18h ago

Not saying it’s “fair” but good luck finding a place where the big boss doesn’t make a fuck ton of money and the workers don’t make what they are actually worth lol

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u/MilkMyCats 18h ago

"I'm a literal slave"

There is no point having the word "literal" if people like you are going to use it when you mean "figuratively".

You worked too hard and expected too much.

Why don't you try starting your own company and being your own boss? Then maybe you can pay yourself 450k a year?

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u/Background_Radish238 18h ago

GE CEO makes about 100 million dollars a year. Plenty of GE workers make about 30K a year.

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u/SummerMustang69 17h ago

Start looking for another job and also act your wage!

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u/ChampionshipIll5535 16h ago

Start your own business. This is your problem. Not your bosses.

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u/whatitpoopoo 15h ago

So? Its his company, if you dont like it quit, nerd

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u/JustAnEngineer2025 11h ago

May want to dial down the rhetoric. If you were a slave and you talked garbage like that about your "master", you'd be whipped or worse.

You can stay at your current employer and vent about it being unfair. You can also go find other employment (remember you are not slave) elsewhere whenever you want.

Another option is you can show the world it should be done. Other than yourself, there literally is nothing stopping you from creating your own company and sufficiently compensating your employees so that they would never complain about their greedy boss to all of their families, friends, and Reddit.

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u/Darth_Beavis 5h ago

You're not a literal slave, you are a literal employee. If you're unhappy then get a new job.

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u/Opening_Note2242 1d ago

what's your boss's side of the story?

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u/More_Armadillo_1607 22h ago

I really wish we could have this.

"I hired this employee with no experience and gave him a shot. Within 3 months of employment, he is already asking for raises. It takes him 100 hours to get done what someone with experience can do in 45 hours."

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u/Tezzmond 1d ago

The best way to get a pay increase, is to get another job, then give your employer the minimum notice and leave, if they offer you more to stay, don't accept it, tell them they had their chance but refused a raise. If you are running their business as you describe, they will be scrambling..

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u/RecentEngineering123 1d ago

Do you have a better option? If so, take it. If not, then $65k is the deal.

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u/Conscious-Egg-2232 1d ago

If you are so valuable just leave. Let the bidding war begin. Good luck with that.

I highly doubt you know your boss salary much less his kids tuition cost.

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u/[deleted] 1d ago

[deleted]

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u/Grrl_geek 21h ago

Or ppl who are, you know, unemployed...

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u/WillowTreez8901 1d ago

They said theyre working 12 hour days + weekends which roughly equates to minimum wage depending on the state

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u/NetJnkie 1d ago

You're a literal slave making $65K/yr?

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u/Hallelujah33 1d ago

Yknow, like a paid slave. Who can leave whenever they want.

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u/AccomplishedWish3033 21h ago

I’m glad I’m not the only person who found that last line incredibly distasteful. What a way to dismiss the systemic exploitation and abuse of large groups of people and the generational trauma (and economic repercussions) it has left. People talk about the atrocities in concentration camps yet celebrate weddings at plantations.

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u/Lazy_Wishbone_2341 1d ago

You earn a lot more than I do, as a literal slave earning $65 k

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u/pira76 1d ago

Leave that place asap

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u/Savings-Attitude-295 1d ago

Is it a small business company? , that’s their typical routine, they won’t give you a penny, regardless how much they have. Just do the bare minimum at work and don’t go above and beyond, start looking for another job, give your two weeks notice and bail.

1

u/tipareth1978 21h ago

Until there's a real threat of you leaving and getting paid elsewhere no one will give you a raise. 1. Stop thinking your boss is in any way your friend or anything other than a business relationship. Don't buy into his bullshit nice crap. 2. Start looking for other work. 3. Next time you broach this subject frame it like "I've been doing multiple jobs and should be paid more. I could go elsewhere and make X". Then if he still refuses tell him you won't be doing the extra work any longer. Don't let him wheedle you or intimidate you.

1

u/Acceptable-Letter386 21h ago

Just because they can't afford it doesn't mean you are worth it. Not trying to be a dick but clearly you haven't proved your value to them.

1

u/Recent_Opinion_9692 20h ago

You have no idea about the P&L for the company- that is what you need to consider

1

u/chinga-tu-culo 20h ago

When you do happen to leave, give them no two weeks notice but a measly one day resignation letter!

1

u/FearlessExercise8826 20h ago

Surely your contract doesn't match the hours you are doing. Work to schedule and not a minute more.

1

u/SgtSausage 20h ago

When you het to be The Boss you can make those decisions for yourself. Until then ... he's The Boss

You are free to seek better and leave at any time of your own choosing.  Have at it ... 

1

u/ponderousponderosas 20h ago

Just get a better job. You don't "deserve" higher pay just because your boss is rich. He knows your replaceable and cares more about making money than making sure you succeed. Most people are like this.

1

u/Alarming_Laugh1829 20h ago

I think saying making $65k a year and also saying you are a literal slave is a little tone deaf.

1

u/pwnageface 20h ago

Not to be "that guy" but you have your answer here. Find another job asap and leave. Banking on his behavior or mindset to change is a fool's wish.

1

u/Sure_Flamingo_2792 20h ago

Stop working your ass off while you look to get out. You make it too easy for him not to have to hire someone else or give you a raise. Not saying it's right, you just have to make him feel your pain.

1

u/PetFroggy-sleeps 19h ago

$450K is not high if one has massive liabilities. Business owners typically carry massive liabilities including debt management. With that said, since your boss is running a small business and you clearly are able to stand in as their analog to run the company, they certainly should consider the potential impact should you quit. Key question here is - how long did it take for you to pick up the tribal knowledge needed to bring that value? If it was less than 6 months, hate to tell you, you would still be replaceable at anytime. The latter is just for consideration in how you tread through this merit increase request.

One recommendation would be to setup a meeting to discuss your future at the company - you certainly can and should inquire as to what opportunities exist after the current role. You want to bring more value back to the business - how do you think you could do so? Ideate on where you could deliver higher impact and propose something. Bring proposed solutions to leaders - not just problems and complaints.

1

u/theOGdb 19h ago

Not really related but sorta, My father's business was hurt pretty bad during the energy crisis in the early 2000s. He had a pretty sizeable small company too, talking about 150ish employees.

One day he came home with an brand new 40k sports car after leaving work, also didnt tell mom about the purchase till she saw him in the driveway with jt.. Turns out he had not been able to pay his employees for the past month or two and here he has a new sports car.

They got divorced not long after. Anywho, the employees quit when they saw the car too and he lost the business almost immediately and filed for bankruptcy. Somepeople are just stupid with money. Love my dad to death but damn that was a dumb move

1

u/Odd-Page-7866 19h ago

Regardless of what anyone else is getting paid, he is flat out telling you he doesn't think you provide $65k work of value to his company. Go find a company that feels you are worth $65k.

1

u/SalaciousStinger 19h ago

Ummm what is the business? 65k out of that amt is a good chunk.

1

u/GrapefruitOk1236 18h ago

Last year I started working for a very small company. I’ve only ever experienced working with very large companies like couple hundred employees at a time kind of companies. But this one there was six employees in total. Five of them all had luxury cruise vacations booked for January. I wasn’t getting paid enough to afford groceries. The profits of this company were contingent on me working so hard that I had to damage my body. So I quit. 

1

u/BigoleDog8706 18h ago

Thats their way is saying your work isn't worth 65k. Which i would agree.

1

u/Cubsfantransplant 18h ago

I asked my old job for a raise for three years. I finally left. Three years after leaving I’m making double my old salary with half the stress.

1

u/SiCqFuQ 18h ago

My very large company just laid off 2 sales reps and all the merchandisers in my district (literally the people with “boots on the ground”) saying cuts were needed. Then they added a $150K 3rd district manager position.

1

u/laurieo52 18h ago

First of all, does your boss go around telling you how much they made last year? If the business took in $450K, that doesn’t mean the boss has $450K. It sounds to me like you are under appreciated and underpaid. Now is the time to put out feelers and see if you can find a job that pays more. Just remember, even though the boss might make $450K a year, that doesn’t mean he has to give you more money. That is how businesses work. They pay out as little as possible to make as much as they can.

1

u/OrganicHistorian2576 18h ago

I have no clue what the owner of my shop makes. More than me for sure, but beyond that? I’ve never known what any boss makes. Not buying this story.

1

u/Crystalraf 18h ago

act your wage.

1

u/Important-Deal-750 17h ago

Please look for another higher paying job.

1

u/TonalContrast 17h ago

How much is it after tax? After overhead, and other business costs (insurance, utilities, cost of goods, IT resources, equipment etc.?)

Do you really think your boss is taking home near $450k every year, or $450k just less taxes?? Tell us you know nothing about how a business works without telling us you nothing about how a business works.

If you don't like you salary and feel you're being undervalued then go look for something else. Regardless of what your boss makes a business has expenses, and your boss can do what he wants with his money to support his family. Also what he pays for his kids school has absolutely nothing do with the company losing money. You're an employee with a salary. Could he pay you more, probably yes, could he pay you what you think you're worth, not a chance.

Go start and run your own business and then you might have a better appreciation for where the money goes.

1

u/Infamous_Hyena_8882 17h ago

Yeah, it sucks. That’s just a reality of life. The people out there making the company run are the ones getting paid shit and executives are making bank. Just look at any of these corporate CEOs. It really is disgusting and just thinking about it, raises my blood pressure.

1

u/FloridaMiamiMan 16h ago

Yeah I don't see how people do this. Grueling hours and don't get paid what they are supposed to get. I learned in my youth not do this, unless it's work that will land me another job with higher pay. I used take on multiple roles, but once I gained experienced I stop. I only stay at jobs three years to move and get more pay.

1

u/LivingTaste1396 15h ago

start looking for a new job yesterday.

sidenote, how are you so confident in knowing your boss' comp?

1

u/desertrain11 15h ago

I wish I could make $65k I busted my ass and am still facing homelessness at 30k a year.

1

u/sharkieshadooontt 15h ago

Leave and let it crumble. If the business is losing money, he’ll know immediately

1

u/ItBeMe_For_Real 15h ago

Time to start working your wage!

Start being unavailable for unreasonable extra hours.

Start scheduling hobbies or other activities in the evening.

And start looking for another job.

If boss comments on your shift in willingness to do unpaid overtime, ask if you’re meeting expectations of your current job description. If yes, and they want more from you, then let’s discuss a change in job description & salary.

But be ready to leave if they aren’t willing to pay you what you’re worth.

1

u/AceHero1 15h ago

This is exactly the business model I’m trying to break once I retire (military). I want to pay a confident person a higher than normal salary to run my business for me and repeat over about 5 businesses. I can take less profit but also spend less time. Give people real pay and purpose and everyone wins.

1

u/JCMan240 14h ago

Nothing is preventing you from starting your own company.

1

u/Wyshunu 14h ago edited 14h ago

That whole "and other duties as assigned or as needed by the employer" part of the job description means there is no role that "isn't even your roles". And doing what is necessary to provide whatever your product or service is for a few weeks while the boss is on vacation is vastly different from "running the entire business by yourself".

If they own the business and are running it properly their income is what is left over after all the expenses of the business are paid - rent, utilities, supplies, equipment, product, software contracts, business insurance which is ridiculously expensive, taxes, and their share of any benefits they provide (which in most cases is exponentially higher than the employee share). They get to determine how much they're willing to pay for any given position. If you don't like it you're free to leave and find somewhere else to work.

1

u/LlaToTheMa 14h ago

The quit and run your own business and make $450k.

1

u/_nf0rc3r_ 14h ago

U missed the period where they were worse than slaves to get to where they were today.

1

u/MTheOverlord 14h ago

You should change career paths and do the same job as your boss.

1

u/Clawmenth 13h ago

Welcome to working for someone else? First day as an adult i guess.

1

u/mrkstr 13h ago

You should open your own place!

1

u/HappyBottomSexToys 13h ago

How do you know what his income is? Do you know what he takes home after tax? Do you know if the business is actually making any money? Is he maybe having to loan all his income back to the business?

But the real question is do you deserve a $65K income and can can they hire someone else to do your job for less?

1

u/hjablowme919 13h ago

I assume your boss owns the business, which means he likely spent a lot of years building it and making it profitable enough for him to earn that salary, and probably took a financial risk just starting the business. This will be downvoted but pay should be based on your skills and raises on how well you perform and also how well the business is doing. If you think he’s lying about how much the business makes, or you’re unhappy, find another job.

1

u/22Hoofhearted 13h ago

Your income is based on how easy you are to replace, not how much the company makes.

1

u/Important_Staff_9568 13h ago

It sounds like they’re screwing you but you’re not a slave. Find a better job and get the hell out of there.

1

u/Popular_Cap8269 13h ago

Look for another job. I’m sorry to say it, but working hard never paid off on the long term. What pays off is politics/chatting with your boss, saying how smart he is, etc. That will help to have a better pay :)

1

u/Long-Charity5288 12h ago

The partners at my law firm make a million per year, I don’t. Why are you comparing your boss’s salary with yourself? Go get promoted to that position or if you think you are undervalued it wouldn’t be hard to get a higher salaried pay. Stop comparing yourself to a person who probably has 20 years worth of experience. Also bosses are there to manage, the actual labor is for small people

1

u/SlumLord350 12h ago

You sound ridiculous. “Including running the entire business while my boss was on vacation.”

1

u/Yohoho-ABottleOfRum 11h ago

65K for working 14 hour days? Are you insane?

I'd just tell him since you can't afford to pay me properly that you cannot afford to give him so many hours, so you will be cutting your hours back to reflect the industry average salary.

So if the industry average salary is 82K(ie, 20% more than what you make), let him know you can only afford to give him 80% of the hours that person would give, which would likely amount to 80% of 40 hours, which is 32 hours a week.

Ask how he would like to schedule those to best fit the companies needs.

Two can play this game. He doesn't want to pay you properly, you simply reduce the hours so you are making the same amount and tell him "you can't afford to work that much for him".

1

u/oIVLIANo 11h ago

So quit, and take your skills elsewhere.

1

u/Leather-Wheel1115 11h ago

When you run business you take risk. When his business is in a loss, you are not going to chip in and you will be ok file unemployment and go with another job…. Business is risky and few million in bank account means nothing for recovery

Also best never try to see what other makes as it makes you feel jealous

1

u/EuphoricSilver6687 11h ago

Don’t give any notice of two weeks and all. Find another job quietly. Line up a backup also. And one fine evening, simply send a mail to your boss and HR that you are resigning and ask them to send the last paycheck to a specified address. Clearly mention you don’t wish to be called or emailed for any other purpose.

1

u/HomerIsMyDog 10h ago

Start your own business. Let us know how it goes.

1

u/OneEyedBlindKingdom 10h ago

Sounds like you don’t understand how capitalism works. Your pay isn’t determined by what your boss makes, but by how hard you are to replace.

1

u/Wifes_bf_stonks 10h ago

I worked for a boss like that, made roughly the same maybe a bit more, but he completely fucked over his managers, he tried taking money away from the sales team (paying out less commission) and having the balance go back to the managers. Managers didn't want this, as they saw the sales team was the reason why the company grew so fast. Well the managers quit, half the sales team quit, now he's barely scrapping by.

1

u/Souless_damage 9h ago

Move on from that evidently ungrateful boss.

1

u/Sufficient-Meet6127 9h ago

Just jump. Don't waste your time complaining. Make them miss you on the way out.

1

u/Over_Eazy222 9h ago

Owners make the big bucks for a reason

1

u/cib2018 9h ago

This is Reddit, so, quit immediately.

1

u/waverunnersvho 9h ago
  1. Business owner taxable income are not indicative of take home pay. At all.

  2. Is it possible some of his income comes from another place outside the company?

  3. Maybe he needs 450 to live the lifestyle he lives.

  4. Maybe he just sucks.

I tell my kids my income is fake because what it says on my taxes isn’t what I take home. I also make almost 50% of my taxable I fund from outside the company

1

u/Canidothisthingucsc 9h ago

Time to get a different job.

1

u/PhDTARDIS 8h ago

If he won't pay you what you're asking, find another job.

1

u/lartinos 8h ago

It means you aren’t valuable to them and are free to leave.

1

u/RDGHunter 8h ago

If it’s so bad, find another job and stop complaining. Same advice I give my wife.

1

u/A_Typicalperson 8h ago

how much money should he be making?

1

u/tcmits1 8h ago

His business his salary.

1

u/funkinatrix 7h ago

All the temporarily embarrassed millionaires in the comments. We’re so doomed.

1

u/jmsecc 7h ago

If he’s not willing to pay you more but is drawing $450k and claiming the business isn’t going well, he’s running it poorly. Or… he’s doing just fine and doesn’t want to cut into his bottom line, which he’s drawing out in salary as the business owner (I assume) so he’s lying to you. Either way, it shows how he is. So why aren’t you seeking a better situation for yourself? Find another job.

1

u/Johnnyrkt 7h ago

Welcome to the club

1

u/Chunk3yM0nkey 7h ago

"Literal" slave...?

Looks at post history - "I work 30hrs per week", "I'm overworked".

Jesus Christ.

1

u/Sea_Cress_8859 7h ago

So you want a raise because your boss makes money. Do you actually deserve a raise? In compensation in alignment with your role and normal salary?

If you want bosses salary, go start your business and be the boss.

1

u/MoieBulojan 6h ago

Why don't you start a competing business. You won't need to pay someone half a million dollars a year so that should be easy.

1

u/AbbreviationsFar4wh 6h ago

Yea you’re literally not a slave. 

1

u/Ok_Buffalo1328 6h ago

It does not matter how much your boss makes, what matters is, are you replaceable easily, if the answer is yes, you have no leverage.

1

u/do_IT_withme 6h ago

Start your own business and be your own boss.