Take the money and stay or leave the money and run?

mrsconn23

Dear Prudence,
I’m an administrative assistant at a state university where the wages are determined by the Board of Regents. I make $28,000 a year and am going broke. Even though I love my job, I decided to look for a better-paying one and my boss, a tenured professor, was upset to lose me. He tried to get me a raise to $35,000 a year, but HR wouldn’t go for it. Instead I got a raise of 65 cents an hour. The professor felt bad about this and gave me a personal check for $5,000. I know our wages are awful, and that they are better at other state institutions, but I don’t know if I should take the money or not. Please advise.

—In a Conundrum

Heffalump

I would tell him if he wants the full Indecent Proposal, it's going to take a lot more than $5k.

kerbohl

That prof is so nice - it is a really sweet gesture that shows how much he values his employee (or at least that's how I'm choosing to look at it).  As to whether or not she should take it . . . I would look for a better job and thank the professor but not take the gift if he was offering it in the hopes that she would be able to stay.  $5000 doesn't go as far as a good paying job does.