Asking for raises backfires enough it’s not a viable option.
Paltry annual raises don’t address one’s ongoing increasing expenses.
That leaves leaving as the only reliable way to earn more without risk of termination.
Missing is also the growing value of an employee who learns & improves over time.
... measly 2 percent increase in pay doesn’t do much to encourage or change employee behavior...
New hourly hires usually come in at an hourly rate that the current staff, has eeked up to with measley 2% annual raises.
The only way most hourly wage earners, such as medical office support staff can get a raise is to frequently change employers and come in at a higher hourly rate that currently earned. It takes some shopping around.
Many employers also use an old fashioned “Spark plug” theory of mananagement. Like you did with an old fashioned Spark plug, you put a new, energetic employee into place and use and abuse him until he burns out. Then you discard him and replace him with another.
It is becoming increasingly difficult to leave for greener pastures too as the housing market has turned a person’s home into a boat anchor. at least in my area.