None of that explained why we were stuck with $8.80.
The boss didn't give me a chance to respond. He let out a heavy sigh.
"Do you have any idea how bad this looks? You storming in here like that?"
"Finance saw it. Strategy saw it. Everyone saw it. You set this precedent, and what—now anyone with a workplace grievance can just barge into my office and make a scene?"
"If everyone acted like you, how is this company supposed to function?"
I clenched my jaw, glaring at him.
"I'll write a self-criticism. But only after our department gets the full bonus we're owed."
He slammed his palm on the desk.
"Everyone says you're one of the honest ones. Guess that was all an act!"
"So honest people deserve to get screwed over?"
When I was hired, they promised annual raises of at least five percent. In all these years, that never happened. The best we ever got was three percent.
Every time, it was the same line: Wait until the company's doing better. We'll make it up to you.
Year after year. The company caught the AI wave. Revenue soared.
But our salaries in the tech department? Flatlined. Not a ripple.
"Screwed over? You think you can talk to me like that?"