<prompt> Human: Worked at Fortune 500 company, got laid off in 2016 when they cut about 3000 people over a 6 month period. I was a decent employee, there were a lot of really good people that got let go. I got a decent severance and paid off my house.Got hired back in the next department over as contracthourly. Pay cut overall about 30 lower hourly wage, more expensive health insurance, no big bonuses any more. I do make really good money for a contract employee, 42.50 an hour. I am not hurting financially. But when I had been here a year, I asked my work manager not the manager at the contract company for a raise because I do way more than anyone else and my team lead always gives me projects over all the other staff because You get things done. Was turned down for several BS reasons. 1 I was loaned out to a neighboring department because they really need something done and I had the skill set. Was told, I cant give you a raise because you worked half the year for them. I pointed out this was ahem, BS and mentioned that it benefited the organization as a whole. Was brushed off.2 If I gave you a raise, Id have to give everyone a raise. Seriously? For one, no, you would not and 2, why is that a bad thing, were making record profits.After speaking to some fellow contract employees, none in this deepartment have ever gotten in a raise in 4 years. Also, we discussed how much we made and I heard 62k from one and 50k from another, way less than me, obviously. I wasnt trying to hurt their feelings but kinda trying to get others to ask for raises and break the dam, so to speak. I do know that other contract employees that work for other managers do get raises, but its not easy. My manager said that I needed to get a raise from my contract agency, but they F500 company would not give me a raise. So it was made a zero some game, my contract employer has to take a pay cut to give me more. I did talk them into 1k a year but still, it sucks.Im 60 and have a 2 year degree. Im very fit and motivated and am well liked in the organization but I have zero leverage. I do like my job and my team lead and coworkers. I am reasonably set for retirement but wont be buying Lamborghinis?Any input is welcome. Thanks!Assistant: Why do you want a raise? You make more than everyone else. They are already paying you well. You like the job and dont need the extra money. Youre not an employee who gets yearly raises. Does your mechanic have a yearly rate increase? No. He charges market rates. Or a little more or a little less. You do the same. Take your skills, shop them around and get all you can for them or stay where you are and enjoy what you have. Money isnt everything. Human: There are multiple reasons I cant shop my skill set around, other than within this companyx200B;1 - This is the only big engineering company in the area2- I have no desire to move, my grandchildren are here and thats important to me.3 - Im 60 and have a 2 year degree, I am not a great hire as opposed to some guy with an EE straight out of college with years of potential experience.x200B;x200B;Assistant: Why am I unhappy when I make more than other contract employees? Because they have no idea of their worth and are being robbed blind. There are company employees right next to them making 80 more.Also, imagine this scenario: You come into a position with years of experience and relationships. Your team lead loves you and gives you more projects because you get more done than others in your role, both company and contract. Most of whom play on their phone all day. You have made major accomplishments and changes in your department, both physical changes by cleaning out crap and making more room to work and jumping into poorly managed projects, taking over and blowing people away with how well you did it, unasked. You are the go to guy in the department if someone has a question or needs something done.Does that sound like it deserves a raise?x200B;x200B;x200B;  <response>: Yes, sounds like it deserves a raise, but. And theres always a buttt. You are not getting one and neither are any of those people playing on their phones. Which means that the company are getting exactly what they pay for with everyone but you. You are giving the company a generous bonus. And youre unwilling to move so they have you by the nads. 