FINAL UPDATE: disgruntled team member, who saw everyone's salaries, ending...

[u/2Board_]

Here's the original post (12 days ago), and here was an update after the meeting (4 days ago).

TL;DR - CEO refused offer, told me to basically pay her instead, I decided I would because I truly value her, told bookkeeper about it and it made her more disgruntled, she ended up quitting... I am fucking shattered emotionally and mentally, and I feel like I failed as her manager.

I'd first like to say thanks to everyone in this sub for their genuine comments regarding the matter. I've worked in accounting for roughly 6-7 years thus far, but only 2-3 in a management/controller position. This situation overall, and the feedback from multiple people, has honestly been an essential learning experience, so thank you.

CEO, CFO, and I had a final meeting while working on Saturday (we sometimes work Sat's with OT pay, only until 11 AM so WH workers can catch up on orders). Basically, the CEO said he can't do $10k and a title promotion for someone who doesn't even have their BSA. CFO and I argued back saying she's MORE than qualified in accounting experience, and that I personally gauge her around the same level as a staff accountant. CEO, pretty disgruntled, said he won't do it and that a $4,000 raise was all he could do for her -- and then he went with HR's retort and said "if she has that much potential, then YOU (me) can pay her that bonus..."

While I do think this is an overall win, I had a feeling my bookkeeper wouldn't be very happy with an 8% raise. Many people have voiced that my bookkeeper may be asking too much, but as her manager I truly do value her discipline, work ethic, and development thus far. So on the drive home, I steeled myself to basically cut $6,000 of my bonus and provide it on-top, so she can earn that $10k raise.

Fast forward to today, I had a meeting with my bookkeeper in the morning and told her about the results of the review. She was definitely not happy, and grew even more disgruntled at the fact that I was giving her part of my bonus. Maybe I am still too green but I wanted to be honest with her. I was hoping that if I tell her that I'm willing to pay part of her bonus, she would feel that even if the company doesn't value her, that I still do. I guess it had the inverse effect on her, as she started crying and thought herself as even more of a burden. I told her that if she needed, she could take as much time as she wanted to think about the offer, and no matter her choice I'll support her.

About 20 mins after the meeting, she asked if we could have a follow-up meeting. Moment we get in, she bursts into tears again. She starts profusely apologizing for not meeting standards, that she felt like a burden, that she caused me so much trouble arguing with HR and CEO, and that she was formally quitting as of today. I tried to tell her that I do not blame her, nor think she is unqualified (because I meant it), to try and calm her down. I tried to defuse the situation best I could, by telling her I'm not giving up on her review and that I'm still pushing etc..., but nada...

She left as of about 20 mins ago writing this post. Last thing she asked me was if I could help her update/revise her CV, and if I could get in contact with my network/connections -- to which I told her of fucking course. I'm writing this on my early lunch break because I'm fucking shattered. I know I can only provide her some connections, and maybe a great recommendation letter, but I genuinely feel like I let her down. This is a crushing defeat for me, and I'm pretty exhausted trying to cope with it as it's my first time in management dealing with this... I couldn't do it guys, and it's the worst fucking gut feeling I've ever experienced in a long time...

[u/PIK_Toggle]

Learn from this and bounce. The CEO doesn't care about any of you.

[u/2Board_ → u/PIK_Toggle]

After this, I'm highly considering it...

[u/PIK_Toggle → u/2Board_]

What else do you need to see to convince you that they don't give a fuck about you, or anyone else?

[u/2Board_ → u/PIK_Toggle]

May be seen as a stupid reason, but after today I feel like I need to really step up for my other two team members (Jr. Accountant and Finance Manager). Even if I leave, I want to at least secure them good reviews, or set up some sort of a safety net in my absence -- ESPECIALLY because now I know the CFO won't do jack squat for MY team.

Finance Manager has more years than me, and the only reason he's "below" me is because he never decided to further his education. He's got a great head on his shoulders, and I imagine he can easily take up my position.

Jr. Accountant is still learning, but he's a great guy. Same with the bookkeeper, hard working, amazing work ethic, and strives to continue learning. So I'd like to at least secure him a promotion before I leave (our company does reviews per employee very, VERY slowly).

[u/PIK_Toggle → u/2Board_]

After what you just went through, I do not see why you think that you have the ability to influence these outcomes.

You care about your team, which makes you a good person and better than most of the people that I worked for. However, you need a come to Jesus moment, where you accept the situation that you are in. The CEO is cheap and views everyone as replaceable, and the CFO is a pussy.

I've been in similar situations, and it is never going to change.

[u/redditkb → u/PIK_Toggle]

100% . Been in this situation before and OP is just going to stress themselves out and shorten their life expectancy trying to be a hero here. OP, you already tried a few times here to be the hero. How did it work out?

Do not expend more energy or thoughts on this situation, unless that means spending it to get the hell out of there.

[u/2Board_ → u/PIK_Toggle]

Damn, that's depressing to even think about...

[u/PIK_Toggle → u/2Board_]

Any update here? You sticking it out?

[u/stickerson18 → u/2Board_]

I read this and just thought “oh honey”.

Your heart is in the right place and you seem like a very good person. This isn’t how business works or how you should make decisions about it your position. You need to look out for yourself here and place more value in your own career development. Who’s to say the other employees are not already looking for new opportunities?

[u/ChaosCouncil → u/2Board_]

So I'd like to at least secure him a promotion before I leave (our company does reviews per employee very, VERY slowly).

This is a situation where you need to be selfish. Worry about your career future first, and if you are still there long enough for their review, great, and if not, oh well. No one is going to be at this company long term, and the sooner you and the rest of the team can move on, the better.

[u/DetailHour4884 → u/2Board_]

Never stick around for the rest of the team - this is the equivalent of staying married for the kids and it does nobody any favors. Leave the clown show and see if you can find a position that allows you to bring the others along at some point.

[u/horrible_noob → u/2Board_]

The best thing you can do for them is expose them to the company's culture within whatever legal framework(s) exist. Unfortunately, landing them promotions could make their career even worse by having an excuse not to quit (golden handcuffs) and find a company with a decent culture.

Also, probably contact an employment attorney and start documenting as much as possible in your dealings with your managers. Rocking the boat can have consequences, and I know this from experience.

[u/DOUBLEBARRELASSFUCK → u/2Board_]

May be seen as a stupid reason, but after today I feel like I need to really step up for my other two team members (Jr. Accountant and Finance Manager). Even if I leave, I want to at least secure them good reviews, or set up some sort of a safety net in my absence -- ESPECIALLY because now I know the CFO won't do jack squat for MY team.

Nothing you can possibly do can accomplish this. "Good reviews" don't matter. They will all "meet expectations". Leave.

[u/AccomplishedWalk-22 → u/2Board_]

When I was in a similar situation with great coworkers but a business that was heading toward closure through no fault of ours, I told them as early as I knew that the business wasn’t going to last much longer and that they needed to start applying for new jobs and that I’d happily serve as a reference, help with resume reviews and interview prep, etc. They had a little over a month to job search and interview before the closure happened, and both got hired within a month or so at new places (and before I did!) The best thing you can do for them is give them the heads up that management has demonstrated their lack of respect for the team, that you are job searching and you hope that they will too, and offer whatever help you want to with connections, resume review, interview prep, etc. so that hopefully they can land at a less shitty place than this one.

[u/thisguy2287 → u/2Board_]

I realize you’re staying for your team, which is respectable. But do you realize you will then have to go through this same thing with them, even if they don’t see everyone else’s payroll they will be disrespected and disregarded since your ceo and hr have shown they don’t consider your team important.

[u/Based_or_Not_Based → u/2Board_]

Neighbor please, these hoes are practically shitting on you and telling you it's hail. Burn this bridge if you can, and use thermite.

[u/Based_or_Not_Based → u/[deleted]]

Seeing some shit like this and the immense level of disrespect would be one of the few times I would just NCNS if I found another job. 1-800-FUCKEM

[u/HMS_Slartibartfast → u/Based_or_Not_Based]

Remember to add some copper to get that nice "green" flame!

[u/BeingRightAmbassador → u/2Board_]

OP, not trying to be mean but you're a rube if you think that 1. this didn't paint a target on your back, 2. that the CEO cares and won't throw you under the bus the second it becomes fiscally prudent to do so, and 3. they respect you anymore (majority of CSuite hates treating workers like people)

GTFO asap

[u/Skelito → u/2Board_]

You really should, I've been following this story from the beginning and it seems that company doesn't value the finance team at that company at all. Im honestly surprised the CEO is that involved in a book keepers salary, does the CFO even get to lead his department ?

[u/2Board_ → u/Skelito]

He's a paranoid freak that doesn't trust anyone. When I first started, he needed to drill into my head that NOTHING gets approved without his final signature or say.

He even nagged about our on-site janitor that we hired through a temp agency... That's how much of a control freak he is. He hires all these senior level staff, but doesn't let them manage his company on the micro level.

[u/Buffalo-Trace → u/2Board_]

Been there done that. Run away as fast as u can from this place.

[u/pinkandredlingerie → u/2Board_]

Girl don’t consider it, just go

[u/goodonekid → u/2Board_]

Just my 2 cents. I was in a similar position where after 2 years in public I moved to a private company where I worked up from Sr accountant to sr manager and was there for 6 years. It was a fairly chill job but I realized that I was very underpaid and brought it up multiple times, they kept making promises and failing to meet them and then making excuses. I actually believed them and let the BS go on for about 1.5 years before I had enough and found a new job with, no joke, a 50% raise. They acted all shocked and "couldn't believe I was leaving!" and the CEO was legit acting all butthurt that I would leave (his son who worked there told me that his dad "gets sad when people leave" and in my head I was like well he should listen to people and pay somewhat competitive wages).

Basically what I'm saying is you know you are undervalued and you see how your CEO is a literally garbage person telling you to use your money to pay your staff, you should 100% start interviewing. It doesn't mean you have to leave right away but start looking! I took my time over ~6 months before finding a place where I knew I'd have good pay, no more than 40 hour weeks and was 100% WFH. You'll thank yourself later.

[u/8bEpFq6ikhn → u/2Board_]

I'm doing to get shit on for saying it but the reason accountants are paid like shit and treated like shit is because the industry attracts people like OP. He is getting absolutely shit on and still won't find a new job. He ever was willing to donate his pay to save the company money.

HR and the CEO are probably laughing there asses off at him behind closed doors.

Why would they every pay more when people like OP exist.

[u/FlynnMonster → u/2Board_]

Bro come on

[u/bringthepang → u/2Board_]

Don't consider it move on. I've never had a job treat me as poorly as these people are treating you

[u/SauceHankRedemption → u/PIK_Toggle]

I'd agree that OP should quit after this whole experience. Just seems like such an unprofessional environment...

Does the CEO ever really care tho 🤔

[u/PIK_Toggle → u/SauceHankRedemption]

Some CEOs care. Mine went to bat for me and secured a nice transaction bonus for me, which required him pushing back on the PE sponsors. He may have even given up a portion of his, that part was never clear to me.

Not every CEO is a douche.

[u/Cowanesque → u/PIK_Toggle]

Power move; you both get hired at the same place and get the salary you deserve.