Advice with wage deficit please
Discussion
I have been working at my current place for almost 4 years.
It’s for a huge company, there are 3 people within the company in my field, 2 of which cover Scotland, I cover England.
The 2 guys up north started a year earlier than me but came with no experience, I had 10 years experience when I started.
It came to my attention this week whilst chatting with one of them, that they are both on substantially more money than I am, 29k, a good 5K more than me.
As the person covering the bigger area, and the “go to” come
Question time I’m rattled by this and would like some advice please.
Any advice? Obviously discussions about salary between workers within the company is not allowed so I can’t exactly throw myself and the others under the bus
It’s for a huge company, there are 3 people within the company in my field, 2 of which cover Scotland, I cover England.
The 2 guys up north started a year earlier than me but came with no experience, I had 10 years experience when I started.
It came to my attention this week whilst chatting with one of them, that they are both on substantially more money than I am, 29k, a good 5K more than me.
As the person covering the bigger area, and the “go to” come
Question time I’m rattled by this and would like some advice please.
Any advice? Obviously discussions about salary between workers within the company is not allowed so I can’t exactly throw myself and the others under the bus
Edited by Ben-imhe8 on Wednesday 7th July 13:06
If you’re paid more or less what you’d get for the job at another firm, you’re a bit stuck.
Salary varies by location - I’ve got someone working for me that earns 50% more than I do, due to being based in another country.
Could it be that there’s a need to pay more in Scotland to get someone with the required skills? You mention in your post that jobs on their rate are “too far away to contemplate”, which is why I suggest this might be the case…
Ultimately there’s no harm in asking, but unless you can show your boss that you’re under paid vs. your role or performance then you may struggle. If you can provide them with the ammo they need to push for a pay rise for you, then you might get the result you want.
Salary varies by location - I’ve got someone working for me that earns 50% more than I do, due to being based in another country.
Could it be that there’s a need to pay more in Scotland to get someone with the required skills? You mention in your post that jobs on their rate are “too far away to contemplate”, which is why I suggest this might be the case…
Ultimately there’s no harm in asking, but unless you can show your boss that you’re under paid vs. your role or performance then you may struggle. If you can provide them with the ammo they need to push for a pay rise for you, then you might get the result you want.
Edited by DanL on Friday 4th June 07:37
UpTheIron said:
Mr E said:
Discussion of salary is completely allowed IIRC.
I've worked in organisations where discussion of salary with anyone except your line manager or HR is gross misconduct.Obviously politics in a small organisation/group of employees can make it complicated to raise these issues.
Are you all under the same manager, or different ones by area?
No harm having the discussion with your boss, but if this is a "known" thing to those making the decisions, they may well just tell you to quit if you don't like it.
No harm having the discussion with your boss, but if this is a "known" thing to those making the decisions, they may well just tell you to quit if you don't like it.
UpTheIron said:
I've worked in organisations where discussion of salary with anyone except your line manager or HR is gross misconduct.
They may really, really want it to be, but I doubt that'd stand up to any real scrutiny.UpTheIron said:
Mr E said:
Discussion of salary is completely allowed IIRC.
I've worked in organisations where discussion of salary with anyone except your line manager or HR is gross misconduct.UpTheIron said:
I've worked in organisations where discussion of salary with anyone except your line manager or HR is gross misconduct.
Perhaps years ago. I’m not the expert in any way, but if you were censured for it now I think an employment lawyer would be licking their lips.
Edit; ain’t Google wonderful?
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2010/15/part/...
Edited by Mr E on Friday 4th June 08:14
However, stepping back from the legal blurb.
If I was in the OP’s shoes, I’d not go wading in with the “these two are earning more, pay me” approach.
(As discussed, the business could state “different location, different pay”)
Have an adult conversation with the manager/business. Point out all the value you add, and tell them what you want. Ask for their help in achieving the next grade/promotion.
And be prepared to leave if no progress is made.
If I was in the OP’s shoes, I’d not go wading in with the “these two are earning more, pay me” approach.
(As discussed, the business could state “different location, different pay”)
Have an adult conversation with the manager/business. Point out all the value you add, and tell them what you want. Ask for their help in achieving the next grade/promotion.
And be prepared to leave if no progress is made.
here_we_go said:
Rules like this lead to equal pay issues, so the Equalities Act 2010 made it unlawful to stop employees discussing salary details with the aim of understanding whether an equal pay issue exists.
Obviously politics in a small organisation/group of employees can make it complicated to raise these issues.
Does that include bonuses? I assume it would do, if they were not personal bonuses?Obviously politics in a small organisation/group of employees can make it complicated to raise these issues.
Tlandcruiser said:
here_we_go said:
Rules like this lead to equal pay issues, so the Equalities Act 2010 made it unlawful to stop employees discussing salary details with the aim of understanding whether an equal pay issue exists.
Obviously politics in a small organisation/group of employees can make it complicated to raise these issues.
Does that include bonuses? I assume it would do, if they were not personal bonuses?Obviously politics in a small organisation/group of employees can make it complicated to raise these issues.
DanL said:
If you’re paid more or less what you’d get for the job at another firm, you’re a bit stuck.
Salary varies by location - I’ve got someone working for me that earns 50% more than I do, due to being based in another country.
Could it be that there’s a need to pay more in Scotland to get someone with the required skills? You mention in your post that jobs on their rate are “too far away to contemplate”, which is why I suggest this might be the case…
Ultimately there’s no harm in asking, but unless you can show your boss that you’re under paid vs. your role or performance then you may struggle. If you can provide them with the ammo they need to push for a pay rise for you, then you might get the result you want.
Well I’m northwest, and I’ve seen their salary in quite a few areas, east, Birmingham, Lake District.Salary varies by location - I’ve got someone working for me that earns 50% more than I do, due to being based in another country.
Could it be that there’s a need to pay more in Scotland to get someone with the required skills? You mention in your post that jobs on their rate are “too far away to contemplate”, which is why I suggest this might be the case…
Ultimately there’s no harm in asking, but unless you can show your boss that you’re under paid vs. your role or performance then you may struggle. If you can provide them with the ammo they need to push for a pay rise for you, then you might get the result you want.
Edited by DanL on Friday 4th June 07:37
I’ve taken London out the question for obvious reason, but the rate is £35-40k down there.
Edited by Ben-imhe8 on Friday 4th June 08:50
bigandclever said:
I decided not to go through with it, reason being after household finances, whilst getting by fine, we’re not comfortable enough for me to start taking pay cutsBen-imhe8 said:
bigandclever said:
I decided not to go through with it, reason being after household finances, whilst getting by fine, we’re not comfortable enough for me to start taking pay cutsbigandclever said:
Fair enough, but now you’re complaining you’re not on parity with colleagues. Sooo….
Well Yes I have an issue with the fact the other 2 are both on the same wage which is substantially more than me, and then the experience/knowledge difference on top.They were genuinely surprised at my wage, they had been assuming I was on more than them, which under the circumstances I should be.
To answer another question, we have the same manager and boss
Ben-imhe8 said:
Well Yes I have an issue with the fact the other 2 are both on the same wage which is substantially more than me, and then the experience/knowledge difference on top.
They were genuinely surprised at my wage, they had been assuming I was on more than them, which under the circumstances I should be.
To answer another question, we have the same manager and boss
If you are OK with awkward meetings, tell him you know and ask him to explain why you’re paid less, and what he intends to do about it…They were genuinely surprised at my wage, they had been assuming I was on more than them, which under the circumstances I should be.
To answer another question, we have the same manager and boss
In my experience, going to a manager and saying (in as many words)
"I want more money because Joe Bloggs in an equivalent role earns more"
Does not lead to more money. It leads to a list of reasons why Joe Bloggs is on different terms to you.
Instead, go in with a focus on you and your role. Why you deserve more money for the work you've put in and the benefit you bring to your job.
If you get short shrift, for example citing that you are at the top of your pay band, then you can point out that you know others are paid more than you are for a similar role but don't be specific with regard to those people.
The company should pay you a similar wage to your peers, all things considered, but bear in mind that you signed up for your terms therefore you were happy with them up to now.
If you hadn't found out about others earning more than you, would you still be asking for the same amount more in money?
If the answer is no, it's not a reason to abandon your argument but it is a factor to keep in your head.
"I want more money because Joe Bloggs in an equivalent role earns more"
Does not lead to more money. It leads to a list of reasons why Joe Bloggs is on different terms to you.
Instead, go in with a focus on you and your role. Why you deserve more money for the work you've put in and the benefit you bring to your job.
If you get short shrift, for example citing that you are at the top of your pay band, then you can point out that you know others are paid more than you are for a similar role but don't be specific with regard to those people.
The company should pay you a similar wage to your peers, all things considered, but bear in mind that you signed up for your terms therefore you were happy with them up to now.
If you hadn't found out about others earning more than you, would you still be asking for the same amount more in money?
If the answer is no, it's not a reason to abandon your argument but it is a factor to keep in your head.
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