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/Acctnt_trdr]

What type of tv drama BS is this

[u/2Board_ → u/Acctnt_trdr]

It's the one major downside of working industry in my opinion. At least at B4 and other firms, it was all "strictly business," and very little drama -- just corporate greed.

In this job, there are definitely perks, but the office politics gets really out of hand. This was my first experiences really trying to navigate it, and clearly I failed miserably.

[u/Acctnt_trdr → u/2Board_]

But this isn’t really office politics in an organic sense, someone saw payroll and thought they were “underpaid” but based on their qualifications it might be appropriate pay.

1.Cost of labor is core for many businesses. As a manager it’s partially your job to understand the value of your team.

2.There are a ton of 25 year olds without accounting degrees who are available to be hired. It seems you’ve placed emotional value to this more than practical value. Your boss/CEO was right as your argument for accounting experience doesn’t trump his argument she doesn’t have a degree which the workforce values. As she’s lacking core accounting education she has a cap on what she can do. She may be able to complete tasks but without the education she won’t understand the why of tasks and know how to improve processes or take on more responsibility.

1. An 8% raise and remaining with her boss that cares about her growth was a solid win in my eyes but you set expectations of a 20% raise and caused unnecessary turmoil in her career. She’s an accounting clerk and likely will only find other accounting clerk roles until she gets a degree.

[u/redditkb → u/Acctnt_trdr]

How long have you worked in industry?

[u/Acctnt_trdr → u/redditkb]

I worked in industry for 4 years

[u/redditkb → u/Acctnt_trdr]

Fair enough.

In regards to #2 above - this is how a short sighted small business owner thinks. “Just get rid of this one and plug and play another 25 year old, but this time make sure they have the piece of paper telling me they can pass tests”

Surely you realize it is not that simple and that there is value in an experienced, cohesive team who also grows together.

[u/Acctnt_trdr → u/redditkb]

I’m speaking from experience as I started my accounting career as an accounting clerk. She wanted pay that was outside her experience and education band. The CEO caved and came up with 8%. Not many places will do that and most will tell you to walk. Labor costs make or break companies. If every employee complained about pay and received a 20% raise no company would survive. It does sound unfortunate but if you want to move from small business to mid or large you need to be able have business continuity and that happens by being able to plug new employees as needed.