Company cut down worker's salary to adjust to the new minimum wage. His response left them wishing they hadn't

An employee (u/sides_venues_3s) working for an industrial supplier was part of the product validation team in 2023. The pay wasn't very good; in fact, it was barely above the minimum wage, but they never complained about it. The person with dual degrees in technical fields had just started their career and wanted to gain some experience before switching to another place. However, when the government increased the minimum wage in 2025, the company, instead of giving the employee a little raise, downgraded their salary to match the new minimum. Unlike many who fear challenging unfair pay, this employee was clearly upset with their revised salary and decided to respond through their action. The employee posted the incident on Reddit on December 30, where several users applauded their firm response.

When the minimum wage was altered, the person expected a small raise in their salary to maintain the difference. However, the company did the exact opposite of what was expected. "My salary was simply 'adjusted' to the new minimum wage, and the small buffer I had was erased," the person shared. So, what did they do? The employee simply handed in their four weeks' notice and decided to leave the company. The manager was shocked when he saw the resignation and requested the employee withdraw their notice. "My manager acted completely surprised and told me it would be a huge problem for them to find a replacement in that time," the person shared. However, they were firm on their decision and said they wouldn't have resigned if the company had paid them more. "It’s funny how every business loves capitalism until the most basic rule of it, supply and demand, applies to their own workforce," they wrote. The person also shared that they were happy that they finally decided to part ways with the company. "I'm going to take a short break before starting another job," they added.

Expecting employees to work around the clock without a salary increase isn't unusual. The Monster's 2025 Work Watch Report found that 95% of workers surveyed said their wages aren't sufficient to keep up with inflation. The same report found that only one in ten workers had received either a raise or a salary adjustment, but even that wasn't enough to keep pace with the cost of living. Moreover, they found that over a third of workers reported that they didn't even receive a bonus they had expected; in fact, 15% had their salaries cut.

Meanwhile, reacting to the Reddit post, u/envoy_ace commented, "There is no way I could last through a 4-week notice. Most of my resignations had a 4-hour notice. 'Right to work' cuts both ways." Similarly, u/woodwardian98 asked, "Why would you give them 4 weeks' notice? Quit on the spot and run because they will boot you during that time." u/miestrellamesigue wrote, "Lol. I laugh at the stupidity of management. It's going to cost them more in time, fees, and wages than it would if they simply brought you to market rate." u/classic_math_2400 commented, "Good for you that you decided to quit. Sucks for them, as it’s not your fault they don’t want to pay you. Hopefully, you don’t cave and make yourself feel bad for leaving."

More on Scoop Upworthy

Employee decides to quit after company hires new staff with 20% more than their wage

Employee starts leaving work at 5 pm after boss denies them a raise: 'I am packing up at 4:58'

Outperforming employee has the last laugh after HR cuts his yearly pay by 30 percent without notice