To be a bit sad that my junior got an amazing offer?

[GirlWithABrokenSmile]

That sounds so mean, but I'll try and explain where I think I'm coming from!

I've been at my current company for a few months off two years. I joined to lead a specific project. I took a fairly big paycut because the project looked interesting and I needed a change, and the new working conditions suited me a lot. My project is now 5 times bigger than it was when I joined. It is very profitable. 9 months ago I moved departments and was told that my pay would be reviewed and the change would mean I could be paid more - my job didn't change, really - if anything I do more than I used too.

I've been pushing for my junior to get a full-time contract for a while, as he's great and my project keeps growing. He takes care of lots of the little stuff reliably so I can keep the client happy, and that's going really well. I found out last week that he'll finally get an offer in a fortnight - but he'll only be on £2k less than me.

I'm really pleased for him, honestly, but I feel so underpaid. Especially as I know he intends to barter upwards, so he could end up being paid more than me, when he's got much less experience on the project and has a lot less responsibility. He has been at the company for a lot longer than me, albeit part-time on very varying hours, and across a few projects.

I'm tempted to talk to my department head, but I'm not sure what to say. She knows I'm keen to progress, and I constantly put myself forward for bigger roles on the same project (none have come into play yet, so that could happen, but I don't know when). My immediate boss has changed four times over the last year (maternity leave several times over), but will stabilise in October. I don't see the department head a lot at the moment, she's setting up a new office overseas.

I might be a bit put off that when I'd been here several months, my female colleagues found out we were being paid hugely different amounts, but the men all seemed to earn more. Two went for pay rises, but were rejected, so left. That was under the old department.

Am I really mean? Should I ask for my pay to be reviewed and dig out some figures on how the project has grown, email them over and ask for thoughts? Or wait until the department head is back? That might be November, and I think I'd then be told to wait until after Christmas.

Probably doesn't help that I'm just making ends meet at the moment, and my junior works less hours, and has less stress, for what may well end up being more pay :( And I'd presume that someone has made a mistake telling me what he will be offered, so I can't really mention that if I do bring this up.

I love my job and I don't want to leave but this has been chewing me up since I found out.

[ifyoulikepinacolada]

I'd go in armed with facts and figures galore; how much the project has grown, how much more work you are doing, what a rough salary would look like for a comparable role elsewhere. I'd feel undervalued too, but they won't just offer to pay you more.

Knowing what you now know, would you still like to stay in the job?

[19lottie82]

If you want a pay rise you can't just base it on what someone else is paid.

What are similar external roles paying? Less than you're on at the moment?

Are you going above and beyond the requirements of your current role?

If yes and yes, then ask for a pay review and present the evidence.

[doji]

Alternatively start looking elsewhere. It's far easier to negotiate a salary increase when joining a new company, or if you really want to stay there, going in with a better offer from elsewhere is the best bargaining chip you can have.

I'd not be cool staying somewhere with a history of underpaying people based on their gender, but that's your call.

[notapizzaeater]

What are similar jobs paying, write down all the extra things you are doing and how much bigger the project had become and go in armed with these facts and figures

[MeeWhoo]

I would go for a payrise but, as a pp already said, do not mention what your junior or anyone else in your company is getting paid, this is all about you, how the project has changed, how much profit you are making, etc. etc. negotiate on business terms not personal ones.

Go armed with facts and figures and think of it a bit as if you were an "agent" who wants to get a payrise for their client.

[HumphreyCobblers]

I would have the confidence that you are worth more and go and ask for it. If you don't get it take your skills elsewhere!

A man asks and he gets IME.

[FluffyWuffyFuckYou]

Why focus on what he has managed to get for himself, instead of what you haven't got for yourself? His success is good for him, wanting him to have less is sour grapes on your behalf.
Concentrate on your own salary and increasing it.

[eddielizzard]

def ask for a rise. show them what you've done and how you took a paycut to do this job and you've made a huge success of it. you want your pay to reflect the risk you took and reward you for your success.

[GrumpyOldBag]

Read Sheryl Sandberg, Lean In.