Job advice - salary related

[HumptyDumptyBumpty]

Hi all,
Never posted before, will try to be brief...

We had a restructure at work - I was offered a 'new' role, v similar to my current one, ring fenced for me. After much to-ing and fro-ing, including asking for higher salary (job was 'advertised' to me on a salary scale, was offered the very bottom end, despite experience, performance, matching the P/Spec etc - I checked each of these with employer - all being 'excellent'), told 'there's no money, sorry'. Wasn't happy, but hum ho.

Now I find that the person who's been offered one of two new roles has been a) offered significantly more than I was (job has less responsibility and requires lower qualifications) and b) this offer has been upped to get her to agree.

I am fuming, but want to know if i can actually do anything? Obvs happy to provide more detail if anyone can help. Ta!

[prh47bridge]

You have no legal comeback unless you can show some form of discrimination which seems unlikely on the information you have given. You accepted the job on the salary offered. The other person negotiated a better deal. No laws are being broken. You can, of course, lodge a grievance with your employer if you think that would help.

[Bramshott]

I don't think you can do anything now (other than kick yourself for not negotiating harder) but prove you're great at the new role, and next time you get a salary review, point out that you're concerned that you might be undervalued (despite having proved X or delivered Y) as you know that others at a similar level are paid more.

[HumptyDumptyBumpty]

Thanks both. I was shocked, given that all jobs (the ringfenced ones and the new ones) were presented as:
Equal status, seniority etc
Same salary scale.

I really couldn't have negotiated harder - I tried everything possible, and was told repeatedly 'there's no money - otherwise we would give you more' - just so angry at being lied to.

[bevelino]

It seems that savings needed to be made in your organisation, hence the restructure. In order to get new people in employers often need to pay new recruits a competitive/ market rate salary. This is unfair to existing employees who often find themselves receiving less pay than the new recruit, who may well have less experience and responsibility. Employers who engage in this practice are not acting unlawfully but are well aware that it demoralises existing staff.

A great number of employers take a chance that people won't leave their job if they find out (as you have) particularly in the current economic cycle.

[HumptyDumptyBumpty]

Thanks bevelino. Was wondering if there was any illegality, but since not, I shall simply find another job, leave, and tell them exactly why. In detail.