When I asked how such a large gap was justified, HR simply shrugged and said, “She negotiated better.”
It was meant to end the conversation. Instead, it opened my eyes.
A Shift Toward Clarity
Surprisingly, I didn’t feel anger first. What washed over me was clarity. If this company didn’t see my value—even after I’d spent years holding together a department that depended on my willingness to go above and beyond—then it was time for me to stop carrying what wasn’t mine.
So when my boss asked if I would help get the new hire “up to speed,” I smiled and agreed. He looked relieved, assuming I would work just as hard as always. He had no idea that the balance of power had quietly shifted.
