Indian Boss Clashes Over Salary Negotiation, Cites Age-Based Pay

A young professional’s request for a well-deserved raise was met not with a performance review, but with a baffling generational comparison. “At your age I was earning much less,” their Indian manager retorted, dismissing the inquiry and exposing a deep-seated cultural friction that is increasingly coming to light in multinational workplaces. This single exchange, shared recently on Reddit, has ignited a fiery debate about management styles, cross-cultural expectations, and the pervasive nature of toxic work environments.

How to Identify and Address a Toxic Workplace Culture?

The incident, posted on the “Ask NRI” subreddit in a thread discussing “Horrible experiences with Indian managers in the US,” serves as a textbook case study. The employee described the interaction as “ridiculous,” noting the manager completely bypassed any discussion of their work merit or company finances. Instead, the justification for denying the raise was rooted in the manager’s own past financial struggles. This deflection from objective criteria to subjective, personal history is a classic hallmark of a toxic dynamic. It shifts the conversation from professional worth to a power play, making employees feel undervalued and dismissed. As the original poster (OP) concluded, “That’s not management, that’s insecurity.” Experts from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) consistently warn that such communication erodes trust, decreases morale, and directly contributes to higher employee turnover.

The online reaction was swift and largely critical of the managerial approach described. Many commenters pointed out the fundamental economic flaw in the argument, noting that the cost of living decades ago was “waaayyyy less,” making any salary comparison irrelevant. This sentiment highlights a significant generational and economic disconnect that can fuel workplace resentment. Other users shared similar anecdotes, with one stating, “Indian management spoils everything everywhere they go,” while another claimed a pattern of more positive interview experiences with American managers versus Indian ones. However, the OP themselves offered a crucial nuance, suggesting the issue might not be exclusively cultural but also generational, as they had received a similar comment from an American “boomer” manager.

The Broader Impact on Employee Well-being and Retention

Beyond the single viral post, this story taps into a larger, more concerning trend of employee burnout linked directly to managerial behavior. The emotional toll is significant. As the employee in the post implied, dealing with such managers is “draining.” This aligns with reports from other professionals, such as a techie in Delhi NCR earning a high salary who recently revealed a toxic work culture was pushing him to burnout, stating he “can’t bear anymore.” When managers utilize personal benchmarks instead of professional ones, it creates an unpredictable and stressful environment where clear goals and fair compensation feel out of reach. This culture can be particularly jarring for employees who have invested heavily in their careers, with one commenter sarcastically noting the irony of taking a massive student loan to work in the US only to end up with a manager employing such tactics.

This viral story is more than just a single employee’s complaint; it is a stark reminder that toxic workplace culture remains a significant global issue, often exacerbated by generational and cultural misunderstandings. The key takeaway for both employees and companies is clear: professional value must be assessed on objective, current market standards, not the personal histories of managers. For businesses to thrive, they must actively foster environments of respect and clear communication, ensuring that talent is recognized and retained, not dismissed and driven away.

Must Know

What did the Indian manager say when asked for a raise?
The manager dismissed the employee’s request by stating, “At your age I was earning much less, you should be happy with what you’re getting.” This response avoided any discussion of the employee’s performance or company policy, focusing instead on the manager’s personal past.

Is this behavior specific to Indian managers?
While the viral post specifically called out an Indian manager, the original poster (OP) noted that an American manager from the boomer generation had used a similar line. This suggests the issue may be a blend of cultural and generational attitudes towards work and compensation rather than exclusively a cultural one.

Why is comparing generational pay problematic?
Comparing salaries across different eras is economically irrelevant due to drastic differences in the cost of living, inflation, and market rates. A salary that was substantial decades ago may be insufficient today, making such a comparison a flawed basis for any modern compensation discussion.

How can employees deal with a toxic manager?
Professionals recommend documenting interactions, seeking clarity on performance metrics, and escalating concerns to HR or senior leadership when appropriate. Understanding company policy on raises and promotions can provide an objective foundation for these discussions.

What defines a toxic workplace culture?
A toxic workplace culture is often characterized by poor communication, lack of support, unfair treatment, and managers who belittle employees or prioritize personal power over team success. It leads to high stress, low morale, and increased employee turnover.