I said I was retiring so my raise was canceled — can I change my mind?

August 8, 2023 | 4:17pm

An employee wonders if it is illegal for his raise to be canceled because he is retiring.
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I verbally let my boss know I was going to retire in a few months to give them time to get a replacement. A month later, I was told that because I was retiring, the raise my boss had put in for me was zeroed out. While this is clearly unethical, is it legal? I’m also reconsidering my retirement. Is my verbal conversation binding?

I understand your frustration, and it may seem punitive or ungrateful given that you were trying to help your company, but it’s not unethical or illegal to rescind a raise that hasn’t gone into effect when an employee gives notice that they are leaving the company, regardless of the reason for their departure.

With limited budgets, your boss may feel that rewarding other employees or saving the money is a better use of the funds.

Additionally, you can’t change your mind if your boss accepted your resignation, whether the notice was in writing or verbal.

Try explaining to your boss that your circumstances have changed and you would like to stay.

If you’re a strong performer and they haven’t filled your position, they are more likely to want to retain you than look for someone new.

My boss uses innuendo and passive-aggressive remarks, with the help of other colleagues, to “manage” me. It’s making my job unpleasant. How do I respond, or should I quit?

Your boss sounds like a bully, and my favorite management tactic for bullies is to confront them directly.

There’s no place at work for disrespectful treatment, and you shouldn’t allow yourself to be subjected to it by your boss or your colleagues.

Making people feel uncomfortable at work by treating them poorly is creating a hostile work environment, whether the behavior is overt or not.

If you have a Human Resources department, speak to someone there. If you don’t, try talking to your boss directly in private about how you feel.

If the situation doesn’t improve, then you need to find another job, since it isn’t healthy to work in those conditions.

An employee is asking what to do with a boss who is bullying in the workplace.

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Then speak to a lawyer about filing a complaint, since you raised concerns to your employer, who didn’t do anything to remedy the situation.

Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. Hear Greg Wed. at 9:35 a.m. on iHeartRadio 710 WOR with Len Berman and Michael Riedel. Email: GoToGreg@NYPost.com. Follow: GoToGreg.com and on Twitter: @GregGiangrande