AITA for accepting a bonus and then quitting?
For two years, he poured his dedication and sk**l into a company that promised growth but delivered only crumbs—a mere $2 raise on a foundation of unmet expectations and silent sacrifices.
His quiet perseverance was met with hollow praise and a bonus check, a fragile bandage over wounds carved by years of undervaluation and broken promises.
As a better opportunity emerged, shining with the promise of respect and rightful compensation, the weight of injustice pressed heavier.
The moment to choose between loyalty and self-worth loomed, a heart-wrenching crossroads where grat*tude clashed with the raw need to be truly seen and valued.
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The original poster (OP) felt undervalued by their employer for two years despite consistently exceeding expectations and communicating their desired salary, which had since risen above their starting agreement.
The conflict peaked when the company offered a last-minute bonus just as the OP was ready to accept a significantly higher offer elsewhere, leading to a dispute over whether accepting the bonus compromised their professional integrity.
Was accepting a belated bonus from an employer who failed to meet long-standing salary expectations an act of self-respect and final compensation for past efforts, or did accepting that financial incentive ethically prevent the OP from pursuing a better opportunity immediately afterward?
The core debate centers on the nature of the bonus: a reward for past service or a contractual tool to enforce continued employment.
From Supportive to Savage: The Crowd Responds:
It didn’t take long before the comment section turned into a battleground of strong opinions and even stronger emotions.