📝 AITA for refusing to share my promotion raise with my struggling cousin who works at the same company?

By FlamingoInside4404 • Score: 836 • April 20, 2025 5:16 PM


I (26F) just got a promotion at work making me the office manager at my company. I've worked here for 4 years and honestly busted my ass to get to this position. My boss pulled me aside on Friday to tell me I was getting a 20% raise with this promotion.

Cut to yesterday at our weekly family dinner. My parents kept asking me about my job (they've always been super supportive). I mentioned my promotion and my dad asked about the salary increase. Without thinking, I told him it was 20%.

My cousin (29F) was there and immediately got quiet. She works at the same company but in a different department. We're not super close but we've always been friendly. After dinner, she pulled me aside and FLIPPED OUT.

Apparently, she's been at the company for 6 years and only gotten two 3% raises during that time. She accused me of sleeping with our boss (I absolutely did NOT) and said I only got the promotion because I'm "young and pretty." She said I should decline the raise or at least split it with her since she's been there longer and "deserves it more."

I told her that was ridiculous and that I earned my promotion through hard work. She started crying and said she has student loans and can barely afford her apartment. Now she's telling everyone in the family that I'm selfish and throwing around my "privilege."

My mom called and said I should consider giving my cousin some financial help because "family comes first." But I worked really hard for this promotion and I don't think I should have to share my success.

AITA for refusing to share my raise with my cousin who works at the same company?

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