Using Coworkers Salary Negotiation Tips: AIBTA for Not Giving Credit?

Some people don’t recognize a favor, they treat it like free software. This one started at a small marketing firm, where OP and Sarah were friendly, swapping tips like it was no big deal.

Then promotion season hit. Sarah had more experience, so she shared salary negotiation strategies with OP, while OP was also quietly interviewing for the same promotion. OP thanked her, used the exact tactics Sarah taught, and landed a raise and the job. Sarah found out, confronted OP, and now it’s turned into a messy workplace standoff with coworkers taking sides.

Now the real question is whether OP’s “I appreciate your help” was enough when Sarah’s advice directly powered OP’s win.

Original Post

So, I work in a small marketing firm with a colleague, let's call her Sarah. Sarah and I have been friendly at work, often exchanging tips and advice.

Recently, we were both up for a promotion. Sarah, being more experienced, shared some salary negotiation strategies with me.

I thanked her but didn't reveal that I was also interviewing for the same position. During my negotiation, I used the exact tactics Sarah had taught me.

As a result, I managed to secure a significant raise and the promotion. Sarah later found out and confronted me about using her advice without acknowledging her contribution to my success.

She felt betrayed and taken advantage of. I genuinely appreciate Sarah's help, but I didn't think it was necessary to disclose that I was in direct competition with her.

It was a tough choice, but I needed that promotion. Now, tensions are high at work, and some colleagues are taking sides.

Sarah feels that I crossed a line by not being transparent. So, AITA?

The Ethical Dilemma

This situation highlights a classic ethical dilemma. The OP benefited from Sarah's negotiation tips without giving her any credit, raising questions about collaboration versus competition. It’s one thing to share knowledge, but when that knowledge translates into a significant raise and promotion, the stakes get higher. Did the OP owe Sarah acknowledgment for her contribution, especially since they kept their intentions secret?

This kind of moral ambiguity resonates with many readers who’ve been in similar cutthroat workplace environments. It’s a reminder that in the race for career advancement, the lines can blur, leaving relationships strained and trust eroded.

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OP used Sarah’s negotiation tactics during their own promotion talk, even though Sarah didn’t know OP was competing for the same role.

Tension Among Colleagues

The tension between the OP and Sarah isn’t just about one person’s success at the expense of another. It's a reflection of a broader workplace culture that pits coworkers against each other, particularly in competitive fields like marketing. When the OP received a promotion and a raise, it wasn't just a win for them; it was a loss for Sarah, who felt betrayed by a colleague she tried to help.

This dynamic can breed resentment, and it’s fascinating to see how the community reacted. Many commenters empathized with Sarah, citing the importance of workplace camaraderie and honesty, while others defended the OP’s actions as a savvy career move.

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After OP secured the promotion and a significant raise, Sarah confronted them, basically asking why their shared advice didn’t come with any credit.

It also echoes the AITA debate about asking a partner’s competitive coworker for salary negotiation advice, without telling them.

The Community's Split Opinion

The Reddit thread sparked a lively debate, showcasing how deeply personal ethics can clash with professional ambitions. Some users insisted that the OP should have given Sarah credit, arguing that it was a matter of integrity. Others claimed that in a competitive landscape, it's every person for themselves, and the OP did what they had to do to succeed.

This division reflects a larger societal issue—how we navigate professional relationships in a world where success often feels like a zero-sum game. Are we expected to look out for our peers, or is it fair to prioritize our own advancement, even at the cost of someone else's opportunity?

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That confrontation didn’t stay private, because now the whole office is watching Sarah and OP like the promotion drama is a group project.

Collaboration vs. Competition

This scenario underscores the ongoing conflict between collaboration and competition in the workplace. On one hand, sharing knowledge can foster a supportive environment, but on the other, it can lead to situations like this, where one person's gain feels like another's loss. It's a tricky balancing act that many professionals face.

The fact that the OP kept their intentions hidden raises further questions about transparency. In a world where workplace dynamics are already fraught with competition, how can we cultivate an atmosphere where collaboration doesn’t lead to betrayal? This story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of keeping secrets in professional relationships.

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With tensions high and coworkers picking sides, OP has to live with the fallout of keeping their “I’m also interviewing” plan secret.

How would you handle this situation? Let us know in the comments.

This story strikes at the heart of workplace ethics, showcasing the fine line between collaboration and competition. It raises important questions about transparency and the moral obligations we have to our colleagues, especially in high-stakes situations. As readers reflect on this scenario, it’s worth considering: how would you navigate similar tensions in your own workplace? Would you prioritize your own advancement or give credit where it's due?

What It Comes Down To

The situation between the original poster (OP) and Sarah highlights how ambition can sometimes overshadow ethical considerations in a competitive workplace. While the OP benefited significantly from Sarah's negotiation tips, the choice to withhold their competitive intentions suggests a calculated decision to prioritize personal gain over transparency and trust. This has understandably led to feelings of betrayal from Sarah and sparked divisions among coworkers, illustrating how individual success can come at the cost of professional relationships. The story serves as a reminder of the precarious balance between collaboration and competition that many face in their careers.

Sarah didn’t just lose a promotion, she lost trust, and nobody wants to work in that kind of mess.

After you “borrowed” Sarah’s negotiation tactics, see how Reddit judged the colleague-credit dilemma in a raise negotiation without giving credit.