My first job out of college was alright. It was 2019. Soon after, Covid hit and the company was a packaging company. So we were one of the few businesses where business actually was booming, with everyone buying things online.
I was one of the few people in my office that was told to keep working while everyone else stayed at home. Funny thing though, to work in that office you had to be in person or nothing could get done. So I took 3 people’s other jobs while they all sat at home collecting a paycheck.
The business sent emails monthly saying how much money they were making. Lo and behold pay raises come, all three people who sent 2-3 emails a day got raises. I didn’t.
I went looking for a new job and was pretty pissed that I was used like a work mule. So the next opportunity came and they asked for my salary. I told them a ridiculous number. They agreed, though on the condition I could supply a pay stub verifying that’s what I was being paid currently.
I said of course I could. I’ll send it to them as soon as I got home. I got home and uploaded my last paystub. Did all the calculations and updated all the taxes and benefits. I submitted it and they agreed to it the next day.
That’s how I started making well above 6 figures and never looked back.
Comments
I see nothing wrong with this. If they’re happily paying you what they’re paying you then what you were making before should have no bearing on it. Congrats!
I commend you for this, I also know a couple others with really similar stories
Corporate played you like a mule, so you played ‘em like Excel clean formatting, bold moves, no regrets. Honestly? That’s not fraud, that’s emotional backpay.
My wife did this without the shenanigans. Got a 2% raise during COVID, left to make $30k more somewhere else. After 9 months the previous job came crawling back offering an additional $10k to return.
Good man
When I read the header I thought “what bullshit is this” and then read it and was pleasnantly surprised. Good for you.
I did the same for Covid tests that were required for entry to concerts. I had one test done for whatever reason and altered it for subsequent events as needed.
PDF editors for the win! I’ve done the same to get my medical bills lowered.
My stepmother has a similar story.
Back in the day, out of college (much like you), she wasn’t satisfied with her pay and began exploring her options.
She was currently making 20k (this is back in the day, probably late 70s early 80s) and was offered a job making 40k. She altered the document to say 60k and told her company she would leave for the other company that was going to pay her 60k if they didn’t match. So ultimately, they matched, and she tripled her salary.
Amazing I support this! Especially since I’m pretty sure as I used to work in recruitment that they’re not even allowed to legally ask you what you’re making but might be dependent on the state. So anyway good job! Bravo!
This is the way. Just think of it a personal tariff on the company
It’s funny how the universe guides you in the right direction. Some people would sit and complain and be bitter. You did the right thing and moved on and making more than those people now. Who cares about the paystub. You only reap rewards if you take the risks. Congrats.
A tip from a law student, if you commit a crime don’t post about it!!! Whether or not the company was happy to pay you that increased amount is irrelevant.
Plot twist… they know. Just wanted to see if OPs numbers made sense.
Smart
Smart . Good for you .
Badbass
Well over six figures is like $10mil at least. Over six figures would be at least $1mil.
This happens more than you think. It’s an outdated practice to verify salary (opinion). They already have a range for the position so why does it matter to them what your previous salary was? Consider it you doing them a favor… paying you too low would probably have caused internal equity issues for them anyways.