An $8.80 Bonus? The Tech Team Bails Chapter 2

The boss’s office was a party.

People from Finance, Planning, and Marketing were all crowded inside, showering him with thanks and pledging their undying loyalty.

Their beaming faces were a stark contrast to my own grim expression.

The moment I walked in, the smile on the boss’s face evaporated.

“Alright, everyone, back to work. Let’s finish the year strong before the holiday.”

As the crowd dispersed, he gestured for me to sit.

“What’s the problem? Not happy with your bonus?”

I fought to keep the rage out of my voice.

“That’s right. I don’t think it’s fair. If bonuses are based on contribution, then the tech department…”

“Stop.”

He cut me off, taking a slow, deliberate sip of his tea.

“It seems the message I sent you was a complete waste.”

“You’ve been in management for this long, Sam, and you still have no perspective. When your team’s bonus is small, instead of reflecting on your own shortcomings, you come storming into my office to complain about fairness?”

A hot flare of anger shot through me.

Perspective. Perspective. It was always about perspective!

Earlier this year, during the company-wide salary review, everyone got a raise. Everyone except the tech department. We didn’t get a single cent.

When I asked why, he had an answer ready.

【The average salary in your department is already higher than the others. If we raise it further, it will cause resentment and disrupt company harmony.】

【Sam, you’re a manager now. You need to see the big picture.】

【Just wait until the end of the year. I’ll allocate a larger bonus pool for your team. I won’t let you down.】

Our salaries might have been higher than some non-revenue departments, but they were miles below the industry average for our skills.