How is it legal to dismiss a coworker by telling them that the budget couldn't afford them and then give the entire remaining staff the maximum (suggested) COLA raise?

8 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 14,2025 at 4:08PM UTC

   Sounds like your employer was trying to figure out a reason to get rid of you. They did this with a RIF or by eliminating your position. You're prob in an at-will employment state so I'm not sure what you can do to fight this. I'd focus on finding a new job.

2. AnonymousMay 16,2025 at 12:29PM UTC

   If you are in a right-to-work state, they can dismiss you for any reason or no reason. It is possible that the COLA raise was necessary to entice the rest of the staff to stay or comply with minimum wage laws, pushing them over the budget. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to keep the core staff. They may have just given the coworker a bogus reason. Either way, the coworker should be eligible for unemployment until they find another job.

3. AnonymousMay 16,2025 at 1:22PM UTC

   Sadly employers hold the cards when it suits them. No loyalty to employees any longer. Stinks, but really best thing is to look for another job and collect unemployment.

4. AnonymousMay 16,2025 at 1:34PM UTC

   I tried to retain staff in lieu of paying raises during a budget cutting and as painful as it was, I was told that if we didn’t give raises, we would be paying below market rate, and we would lose our best performers. It’s an awful situation to be in, but I reluctantly agreed to do the layoff.

5. GirlBossanova934974May 16,2025 at 2:17PM UTC

   First off, do the math. How many members comprise the "entire remaining staff". If you added up all the COLA raises, would they equate to the base pay and benefits of the one worker who was dismissed? In this case, the employer in my view is trying to offset the unhappiness of the remaining employees by paying max COLA raises after someone was let go. A way of saying I am willing to stick with what is left.

6. AnonymousMay 16,2025 at 5:07PM UTC

   If you are in an at-will state it is acceptable. No company is forced to make hiring or termination decisions based upon your need to stay employed. A budget and the ability to pay you is enough for them to do what they need to do. While you may not be in agreement about this every entity that is for-profit (and even non-profits) do a budgeting exercise to justify headcount and amortizing that over a year. I would assume the cost of retention and COLA for those kept is far less than what they would have paid the person who was let go.

7. AnonymousMay 18,2025 at 4:52PM UTC

   This sort of happened in my company (nonprofit). The company was at deficit so they had to let go of people; some also left for better jobs. One employee told theiir boss that they got a job offer. The boss & company didn't want to let that employee go, so the employee got a full promotion.

8. AnonymousMay 19,2025 at 2:44PM UTC

   This happened to me in 2005, I was let go after 17 years due to "budget cuts" - then they hired 3 "casual employees" with no benefits/minimum wage to replace my confidential job. Makes no sense to me to hire "casual" employees to do confidential work in this type of agency, but they did and it has been a revolving door of "casuals" ever since. But, obviously after 17 years I was at the top of the pay/benefit range and it was cost effective for them. Really broke my heart and mentally was devastating as these people were my family after 17 years, my father had retired from this city after 28 years prior to me being hired there - but it happened despite my co-workers fighting for them to keep me. I was dedicated, worked numerous holidays/weekends by them calling me in on emergencies, did completely confidential work that they could count on - but - it's all about the numbers, it wasn't my work, my work ethic or my dedication to the municipality. I did find another job within the municipality and still work for that municipality in another area - I am fortunate I was able to stay within our city at least. It's heart breaking to learn you are a "budget cut line item" instead of a caring, dedicated, intelligent, knowledgeable, beating heart - but it is the sad truth in places - we are all just a number on a spread sheet.

   Good luck to you - hold your head high, it happens, we are sadly all just numbers - no compassion to dedication and work ethic in this world.