Workplaces frequently reward those who go above and beyond, or at least that is what most employees believe when they volunteer for late nights and additional responsibilities. The promise of a substantial raise keeps many pushing harder, particularly in entry-level roles where initial salaries leave little room for comfort.
This redditor joined a company with 25 other graduates and quickly became the go-to person under his manager, streamlining processes and absorbing extra duties.
Come review time, his stellar performance earned praise but no financial difference from peers who coasted. He decided to match the company’s valuation of his work exactly. Scroll down for the fallout that followed!
A fresh graduate walked into his first corporate gig ready to dazzle, only to discover the spotlight came with a dimmer switch labeled “freshers get standard raise only”
Many people enter the workplace believing that dedication naturally leads to recognition. It’s a deeply relatable expectation: when someone pours long hours, creativity, and personal pride into their work, they hope the effort will be seen and appreciated.
In OP’s story, both he and his manager were trying to navigate demanding roles, but their emotional experiences moved in opposite directions. OP sought growth and fairness, while the manager grew dependent on OP’s willingness to overperform.
Psychologically, OP’s dramatic shift wasn’t rooted in spite, it was a reaction to feeling undervalued. For a year, his motivation was fueled by the belief that hard work would open doors.
When he learned he would receive the same raise as colleagues who barely met expectations, that belief collapsed. The emotional trigger was disappointment mixed with betrayal. In moments like this, people often try to regain control by adjusting their output to match the recognition they receive.
According to Dr. Beverly Engel, a therapist known for her work on workplace boundary issues, people frequently respond to perceived exploitation by withdrawing effort as a way to rebalance emotional labor.
This isn’t about revenge; it’s an instinctive attempt to restore dignity after feeling taken for granted. Engel notes that when employees pull back, it often reflects an attempt to protect their mental well-being rather than punish others.
In OP’s case, slowing down created temporary satisfaction because it restored a sense of fairness. His manager, who had benefited from OP’s extra effort, suddenly experienced the consequences of relying too heavily on one person. Meanwhile, OP used that year to regain clarity, eventually moving to a job that paid him what he was worth.
This story offers a reminder that many workers need: going above and beyond is admirable, but doing so without boundaries leaves room for others to misuse that generosity. Recognition matters, and when it’s missing, people naturally pull back to protect themselves.
Here’s what people had to say to OP:
These Redditors champion “work your wage” and refuse extras without matching pay
This trio shares tales of demotions disguised as promotions, then mirroring the lowered expectations
They warn against superhero syndrome, burnout awaits anyone who outshines the pack without backup
The graduate’s year-long masterclass in calibrated effort left his manager drowning in overdue projects and zero raises of his own. Reddit cheered the poetic justice, but a few wondered if burning one bridge might haunt future references. Would you have dialed it back to average or started polishing the résumé sooner? Drop your workplace revenge stories below, spill the tea!
