I got asked "What makes you think you've earned a raise?" and it feels like a slap in the face after all the hard work I've put in. I've consistently gone beyond my job description, taken on extra projects, and mentored new team members. I’ve sacrificed evenings and weekends to ensure our clients are happy. I can't believe my supervisor talked to me like that. I feel like reporting this to the Director.. would you? I get it's only been a year but I still don't appreciate the tone.

The recommendation I've heard is that before you walk into any performance review or a discussion about raises/promotions, you need to have a list of accomplishments and achievements ready. Then, when you are asked questions like this one you can list off all of the reasons why you deserve that raise and/or promotion.

I agree, the "what makes you think..." way this was said is very aggressive and accusatory. The decision to leave or stay is up to you. But, if you had a ready answer to the question, you may have been able to shut them down.

Have a sharp comeback ready documenting your achievements in verbal bullet points:

I discovered a programming error that would have cost the company $$$$$.
I suggested --- which increased department productivity by 15%.
I saved the XXXXX account, which was considering moving to another company.
I have letters of commendation from numerous clients...

If the slap, be prepared to slap right back.

You should ask them back what makes you think I don’t deserve a raise.

Freshen up your resume. The only way to get a raise these days is to move on to a different company.

Reply back via email:
In our last conversation, you asked me, "What makes you think you've earned a raise?" That's a fair question, so I wanted to highlight some of my accomplishments over the past year. yadda yadda yadda. I look forward to discussing this with you further.

Copy the director.

Woah, that's aggressive. Is the rest of your team standoffish too or is it just this supervisor? If yes, I would just let this be and leave the company as soon as possible. If not, YES DEFINITELY take it up with your director or whoever the supervisors senior is. This is crazy.

It's a fair question, even as stated, with the appropriate tone. Our leadership only knows high-level what we do, they do no track who is doing what stretch projects when, they have a full plate as it is.

Always offer visibility, and very deliberately keep your manager up to speed on what you are up to in regular syncs. If you aren't doing that, though no fault of their own, your manager may not be aware of what an amazing employee you are.

FWIW, we all think that, and only some of us are right.

Well the real answer is “I get one or I leave for one, dealers choice”

You should start documenting everything that you are doing, all the extra work, all the compliments that you have received, etc. So whenever your supervisor asks you a question like this, you can just share a report showing the reasons you deserve a raise.

As a manager, that is a fair question. The tone could be that the supervisor isn't a manager and don't have real experience or wasn't trained properly to deal with that question. Did you present all the things you listed to your supervisor? If so and you were dismissed then that is a different issue and should go to the manager. The manager is the one that makes those determination. But I would not approach it as " my supervisor just dismissed my inquiry" but " I'm looking for more feedback as to how to get this ... I already talked to ... and listed what I've done but I need more detailed feedback"

Honestly if that's how they feel comfortable speaking to someone who clearly puts in the work and then some (based on what you shared), then I'd immediately be looking elsewhere and quiet quitting. They don't want to give you the money you've shown you're worth then they don't keep getting nights and weekends and you mentoring new team members anymore while you find a place that will appreciate your efforts and show you they do.

I would have told my Supervisor Excactly what you just told us and not have even given it a 2nd thought

My guess is, you were probably anticipating everything about this conversation, but this. The comment and the tone took you by surprise. How did you handle the question? Did you keep your composure? Over the years I’ve had to maintain my decorum while facing all types of bitchiness. My response, with a smile, would have been, “That’s a good question. I’ve made a list of my accomplishments… and I’ve created a comparison of salaries for my locale. Let’s take a look…., etc.” Always be prepared for resistance when asking for more money. You can always get your negative FEELS out on the drive home.

Of course a lot depends on the tone and delivery, but as a question itself, there is nothing aggressive about it. If you ask for a raise you should always have a list of what you are doing that requires this additional compensation. If what you described is true, you should just have it documented and present as a matter-of-fact manner to your supervisor.

You answer the question with "I've consistently gone beyond my job description, taken on extra projects and mentored new team members. I've sacrified evenings and weekends to make sure our clients are happy."

Say it confidently because those things are worthy of reward. Act as if your supervisors know you deserve the raise but they need something to tell the payroll department.

I think you should inquire about the criteria to be considered for a raise, maybe when the responsibilities of the job are discussed initially or at some point early in the game. If turned down for a raise request, ask at that point. Then you know what is considered worthy. (If you can, get it in writing.) If you feel the criteria is impossible to achieve, you can start looking for a position that better works for you.

The question isn’t the issue the tone is the issue, I believe it’s a fair question that you answered here.
The more you can support your request for a raise and what you believe justifies your raise.
I would ask the same thing if I were a manager in charge of wages. Because usually it’s not just as easy as submitting the change to payroll. A request and reason for the request needs to be submitted to HR and possibly any number of other administrators, and they need to the reason why on paper.

I'm currently negotiating with a new company. Position was posted as Hospice LPN. I have 25 years experience in med surg, home care, palliative care, and hospice. I was offered the lowest on the scale and I countered with the highest due to experience (stated by me) and an untarnished record. I also have great references. Tomorrow it will be a week and I haven't heard back. Yes, I'm still looking and applying. I'd appreciate feedback.

You should’ve just responded and listed those accomplishments then. I agree they shouldn’t talk to you or any employees that way, but sometimes you got snap right back at them with some confidence and justify what you’re asking for.

Also, you can say, “sure, I’ve worked hard and accomplished a lot. But it’s not just about my accomplishments. Market data shows people with this kind of job in this industry and city make around $x amount so, I believe my raise is a very reasonable ask.” Of course you need to do your research and ensure you have the data to back up your statement but it can be done. And you can also say you feel unappreciated with that kind of statement and the company’s hesitation to pay you fairly. You can keep it honest and professional.

It depends on do you or does your supervisor have a better relationship with the Director. If your supervisor has a better relationship, then reporting this to the Director could just backfire on you honestly unless several employees complain about him.

Sorry that your supervisor took that tone with you, and it is discouraging when people don’t see your hard work and efforts; however sometimes you have to advocate for yourself and show off for them to see.