'Resign if you don't get at least 3% hike', advises employee. Redditors joke, 'In this economy?'

A disheartened employee recently shared a strong message for working professionals in India, urging them not to settle for inadequate salary increases. Posting on the Indian Workplace subreddit, the individual offered candid advice: if an employer provides a salary hike of less than three percent, it’s a clear signal to move on.

Their argument was straightforward—anyone who respects their own professional worth should not tolerate being underpaid. According to them, it’s far better to be temporarily unemployed and searching for meaningful work than to remain in a stagnant job that neither rewards effort nor acknowledges value.

The anonymous contributor drew comparisons from everyday life to drive their point home. They noted that domestic helpers now decline to work unless their wages are revised annually. The person who services their car or cleans their vehicles won’t agree to continue unless paid a higher amount. Auto-rickshaw drivers often turn down fares unless there’s a rise in base rates that matches inflation and rising fuel prices. Even eateries revise their food prices frequently, adjusting their menu rates to reflect market conditions and operational costs.

So then, they asked, why should white-collar employees—those working in offices, managing responsibilities, solving problems, or building businesses—be expected to accept zero growth in their incomes?

The poster clarified that they weren’t opposing the concept of merit-based pay. They acknowledged that high performers and low performers must be evaluated differently. However, they criticized the practice of issuing either no raise or an insignificant one across the board, saying that such practices are both demoralizing and disrespectful.

Netizens React

While some users did agree with the sentiment, many explained this may not be an option for many. "Not in this economy. Next thing you know you're unemployed for 15 months and are looking to take a pay cut to get a job. Don't wait until your org doesn't give you a proper raise; continually look for better opportunities..." read one comment.

Another Reddit user suggested dissatisfied employees submit resignation without any hint. "What I've seen work is. Putting in your resignation out of the blue without giving anyone any hints. Then let the negotiations begin. I've seen a couple of colleagues do this; they were retained by their orgs by giving them a 30% raise when they did not even have a single offer..." Read the comment.