HR gurus please - urgent

[Alice2701]

Hello, not sure if here is the best place to post this but would like a (relatively) quick answer before i punch some walls :)

Basically, our company has recently had a vague restructure and there are now 2 of my position (in marketing). They have recently let one of the other staff members move "sideways" (working in a different part of the company) and some of my work has changed (although is still marketing.

Ok so the crux of the matter is, i am more experienced (other colleague hasn't done marketing for 2-3 years) and better qualified (professional quals) and yet they are earning at least £1500 more than me. I spoke to our MD re this situation and she acknowledged it and said she couldn't cut someone's salary which is fair enough, and that we would put some "objectives" in place so that in "6 months or so" i might get a payrise!!!!

Is this even legal?! I'm guessing it sadly is but it seems incredibly unfair to me and is breeding a really rather nasty attitude in the office (not just from me).

Anyway, thanks for letting me rant and your advice :)

[prh47bridge]

As long as you aren't being discriminated against on grounds of sex, age, race or some other protected characteristic they can pay you whatever they want. It may be that the other person is red lined so that they won't get any pay increases until you catch up with them. It may be that the company thinks they perform better than you despite your experience and qualifications. All perfectly legal.

[RedDaisyRed]

Legal. My duaghter earns £20k than others at her stage either because she pusehd and asked for it or she is very good. Some women are not very pushy and good at forcing pay rises or getting alternative job offers and saying I'm off unless you match this.

[mandy214]

Yes. I used to work in a team where we were all doing pretty much the same kind of work but salaries varied by as much as £20k. It was down to market forces when we were recruited, how long we'd been at the firm, ability to press for bigger increases. And probably what our value was to the firm.

[Stylingwax]

Unfortunately there are no rules about equable pay. I know I'm paid at least 30k less than some others at my level. But then I'm sure some others get less. It's one of life's unfair things.

[chipshop]

This happened to me when our department merged with another. I am now by far the lowest paid of the eight people doing this job, even though I am in the top two performers.

I made my case as it really annoyed me and our big boss said she didn't have the funds to give me a pay rise but I was at the top of her list for one in September. Let's see...

[3littlefrogs]

Would it be a good time to start looking around for something better?

[mojo17]

Ok so I would go back to your boss or hr or someone higher saying that you look forward to a pay rise if xxx and state your case and say that if they can't afford to keep you on the. Look elsewhere

[scribblegirl]

Flip side - my DH took a secondment in his large organisation, working in a different department. They liked him so much they offered him a permanent role, and didn't want to give him a pay cut because he may well have chosen to go back to the old role.

He is therefore on a couple of £k more than his colleague. He's been told he won't get a pay rise in the next round, as it's only fair that the others catch up to his level.

Totally legal.

[namechangeAL101]

Thanks all - much appreciated! I bit the bullet and spoke to our HR adviser and she pretty much confirmed everything you've said whilst being really sympathetic. I have indeed started to have a little look around for other things, there doesn't seem to be that much out there at the moment in the city i actually want to work in (rather than commute to London etc.), that pays the salary I'd be looking for, which wouldn't be at all outrageous by the way!

Think i'll just have to suck it up for now and keep my eyes peeled. And try not to stab people in the office obviously ;)

[Tooooooohot]

Check out the equal pay act - it might be useful - or call ACAS.

[prh47bridge]

Check out the equal pay act

The Equal Pay Act only helps if the OP is being discriminated against on grounds of sex. It does not require all employees doing the same job to be paid at the same rate.