That Raise Is Not Your Calling

(I am the newest employee at a help desk, and I have been there about six months. Previously, they had hired people from the call center that knew the system, but didn’t necessarily know IT. They were surprised that I was able to take so many calls so quickly with an IT background, fixing IT problems (go figure). The goal was 25 calls a day and I was averaging 50-60 calls a day. It is time for the end of year review, and to see if I can get a raise.)

Boss: “You have really done well. These numbers are great!”

Me: *feeling smug* “Thanks. I appreciate that.”

Boss: “However, since you are so fast, we really hold you to a different standard.”

Me: “Huh?”

Boss: “So, I can’t give you the two-step raise since you only met my expectations.”

Me: “What?!”

Boss: “Keep up the good work!”

(I started a new job two months later. The kicker: the starting pay was higher than what my “two-step” raise would have been.)