How a Fake Job Offer Landed Dave a $45,000 Raise — Malicious Compliance at Its Finest
Ever felt undervalued at work, knowing you’re worth more but trapped in a company that only doles out raises when you’ve got one foot out the door? Meet Dave—a man who turned the tables on his employer and scored a jaw-dropping $45,000 raise, all thanks to a not-so-real job offer and a former boss with a mischievous streak.
It’s a story that combines wit, workplace politics, and a healthy dose of malicious compliance. Let’s dive into how Dave got the last laugh (and a much fatter paycheck) by playing by the company’s own unfair rules.
The Raise That Wouldn’t Come
Dave was the kind of employee every company claims to want: talented, experienced, and loyal. He liked his job. He liked his colleagues. The only thing he didn’t like? The pay. Despite his dedication, Dave’s employer had a notorious reputation—raises were only given out if you could wave a shiny new offer from another company under their noses.
His boss, recognizing Dave’s value, didn’t sugarcoat it: “If you want a raise, you’ll need to get a competing offer.” But who wants to waste precious weekends prepping for interviews and faking enthusiasm for jobs they don’t really want? Not Dave.
Enter Bruce: The Mastermind
Here’s where this tale takes a turn worthy of a workplace sitcom. Dave’s old supervisor, Bruce, had left the company but was still on friendly terms. When Dave called to vent about the “offer or nothing” raise policy, Bruce had a solution:
“I’ll send you an offer letter. How much should it say?”
Dave, who was making $85,000 but knew he was easily worth $110,000, didn’t hesitate. Bruce, now the puppet master behind the curtain, upped the ante—since he didn’t actually need to hire Dave, he wrote the “official” offer for $125,000. Bruce’s insider knowledge of the department budget (having worked there himself) meant he knew exactly how far management would stretch to keep a star player like Dave.
The Email That Changed Everything
The next day, Dave casually mentioned to his supervisor that he’d received an offer. He dutifully forwarded Bruce’s letter, not even scrutinizing the details all that closely. Within hours, Dave’s boss came back—not just matching, but surpassing the fake offer with a counter: $130,000 to stay.
That’s right—by complying with the company’s own ridiculous policy, Dave landed a $45,000 raise overnight, without breaking a sweat at a single real job interview. All it took was a little creativity, a helpful former boss, and a healthy dose of malicious compliance.
Malicious Compliance: When Playing by the Rules Means Breaking Them
What makes stories like Dave’s so satisfying? It’s the poetic justice. Malicious compliance is all about following the rules so literally that you expose their flaws. In Dave’s case, the company's policy to only reward employees under threat of losing them was not just backward—it was begging to be exploited.
Bruce’s fake offer wasn’t just a wink and a nudge—it was a masterstroke of corporate chess. By using the system’s own logic against itself, Dave highlighted how unfair and inefficient these “offer letter” policies really are. Instead of rewarding loyalty and performance, they encourage employees to game the system or, worse, actually leave.
Where Are They Now? Happy Endings and Lessons Learned
The story doesn’t end with Dave’s massive raise. In a twist worthy of a sequel, Bruce eventually moved to a third company a few years later and, recognizing talent when he saw it, hired Dave for an executive position. Dave’s story isn’t just about gaming the system—it’s about the value of real relationships, knowing your worth, and a little bit of (harmless) rule-bending.
Takeaways for Employees and Employers Alike
If you’re an employee stuck in a similar rut, take a page from Dave’s playbook—know your value, build genuine relationships, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box. For employers, consider this a cautionary tale: When your best people have to resort to fake offers to get fair pay, maybe it’s time to rethink your compensation strategy. After all, loyalty should be rewarded before it’s threatened.
Over to You!
What do you think—brilliant move or too risky? Have you ever had to get creative to get the raise you deserve? Share your thoughts and your own stories of workplace shenanigans in the comments below!
Inspired by a true story from r/MaliciousCompliance.
Original Reddit Post: Provide a offer? Don't mind if I do