Just had a boss tell me 'loyalty matters more than skill' and I walked out

I was working at a small construction outfit in Cleveland last fall, and the owner pulled me aside after I asked about a raise I earned over 2 years of running his crew. He said he'd rather keep someone loyal who shows up than pay more for a skilled guy who might leave. Am I wrong for thinking loyalty is earned, not something you demand while underpaying people?

3 comments

3 Comments

cameronf881mo ago

Ngl, you're not wrong at all. Loyalty has to go both ways, not just from the worker to the boss. Honestly, that guy was basically telling you he values being taken advantage of over actually having a solid crew. Tbh, running a crew for two years without a raise is already showing more loyalty than most people would. Saying he'd rather keep someone loyal who just shows up sounds like code for "I want someone who won't ask for what they're worth." That's not loyalty, that's just cheap management trying to guilt you into staying. You did the right thing walking out.

kim.zara1mo ago

Walking away was honestly the best move I ever made.

sanchez.pat1mo ago

Keep your standards high and your boundaries higher, people will respect you more for it than for letting them walk all over you.