I'm probably just venting, because I'm already sending applications to anywhere that looks decent, even if it's only so-so.

I've been working at my current company for 7 years as a data analyst. When I started, they offered me less than the salary that was listed in the ad because I didn't have much experience at the time, and I accepted because I really needed a job. Recently we brought in a new analyst, and I was the person helping him get used to the work, explaining our datasets, the reporting processes, and the software we use every day. We got along and started talking outside of work too. Eventually the topic of salaries came up, and it turned out he's making about £12,000 more than me per year. We were both shocked, so we compared job titles, duties, our place on the team, everything. Same role.

I brought it up with my manager and she honestly seemed surprised. She agreed that it didn't look right, so we escalated it to the department head. His first reaction was to brush it off with the usual talk about different experience, more qualifications, market rates, etc. I told him I have 7 years here, certifications in the tools we use, and I'm literally training him on how to do the job. After that he stopped arguing as strongly and said he would look into adjusting my salary. It took them about five weeks to get back to me.

I wasn't expecting them to give me a £12k raise overnight. I'm not that naïve. But I thought they would offer something, even a token raise just to close the issue. Instead, the answer was simply: "No, it's not in the budget." My manager tried to suggest alternatives like a shorter work week, a few extra vacation days, or some kind of gradual increase, and all of that was rejected too. In the conversation afterward, she genuinely seemed embarrassed. She didn't directly tell me to leave, but the only thing she could offer was to put me on a project that might look good on my CV.

This honestly crushes me. I don't think I've ever felt this unappreciated at work before. I stayed late plenty of times, filled gaps when people left, got strong reviews from my manager and the department head, and apparently none of that matters when it comes time to pay me fairly.

My motivation has basically disappeared. I'm doing the bare minimum because I can't make myself care the way I used to. I feel like I wasted years being loyal to a place that was happy keeping me cheap as long as I didn't notice. I'm applying for new roles now and hoping I find something soon, preferably before I get into trouble because mentally I've checked out. But honestly, good luck to them trying to find someone else to do this job for the salary they're paying me.

I'm seriously considering resigning. Before I do that, I was wondering if there's any action I can take in a situation like this? Has anyone else gone through a similar experience and found a way to deal with it?