I don’t know how controversial this really is, but do feel it may generate some strong opinions.

A good friend of mine was just given a promotion that she has been working towards for the last couple years. I am of course thrilled for her, but also wasn’t sure how to respond when she told me she was confused because her employer didn’t give her a raise with the title promotion. She was told that the company just ‘couldn’t absorb growth in payroll’ with the current economy being what it is. I should mention that the title does come with increased responsibility and expectations.

The company she works for would only be indirectly impacted by Covid, in that consumer spending is different then before, but they are not a service based company (like a restaurant), nor are they an ‘essential’ product. From her POV, they are having a less then perfect year, but the company isn’t at risk of closing in any way.

My gut reaction was that the situation stinks, and I thought she should consider talking to her boss about revisiting the topic in the short term.. she was a bit upset but also said at least she has the title and that value add to her resume. She also said 2 other people within her division, as well as 3 in other teams were promoted at the same time (I guess her company does this kind of thing in waves), but she wouldn’t be comfortable talking to anyone to ask if they were told the same thing.

Long story short, should my friend be upset and feel taken advantage of, or should she feel grateful to be employed with a new title?