Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

New job, staff on 20k more... opinions please.

27 replies

sallynamechange · 16/11/2023 07:42

Name change as this coukd be outing.

Started job last year. It's chaotic but I'm enjoying it. I've just been offered a massive opportunity doing a global role. This was information given to me by the CEO. There has been no paperwork signed yet in regards to salary.

Now.... I've not been told told anything about salary or increase ( which is leaving me a bit miffed as I would have preferred to have been told I was getting an increase, rather than being left in the dark.) I have since found out that one of the staff that will be directly reporting to me is earning 20k more that I am.

What's the general opinion here. The above staff member is there 13years if that makes a difference. I'm on decent money but really feel I need a lot more to make this role worth while as it will take up more time, in different time zones. The work load will be massive. I worried it's just going be expected and I haven't had the chance to challenge this yet and find out the details

I saw the salaries on a spreadsheet that was shown to me, I wasn't being shown salaries but I obviously saw them so I know it's true.

If you were me, how would you feel and what would you do?

OP posts:
AgnesX · 16/11/2023 07:47

What field is the work in, does this person have specific skills or experience that you don't?

Are you more of a manager than one who uses specific skills?

(Don't mean to be rude, just trying to understand the background).

Schoolchoicesucks · 16/11/2023 07:47

I wouldn't accept the role without knowing the salary. I would expect it to be at least a few thousand higher than direct report.

Don't feel shy asking - be clear and say it sounds like a great opportunity and you want to know what the salary offer is. If it's lower than the direct report say that isn't in line with your expectations given responsibility for x y and z.

GOODCAT · 16/11/2023 07:47

I think you have to ask your boss for a discussion about pay. I would also not bring up that you have seen that your direct report is on more. Also be aware that if there is a reason for it I.e. that they have technical or business development know how or something else you don't it isn't uncommon to be paid less as a manager. That may not apply here of course.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jobs
Dalhoussie · 16/11/2023 07:55

Honestly, i think the salary you negotiate for yourself and the salaries that other people in different roles get are two different things.

You need to benchmark your proposed salary against other similar roles in the industry - look around, make a proposal. Sounds like it will be a big step up so good luck!

but also, you don’t know why the other person is on that salary - could be for a range of reasons, including long service or legacy pay scales. I have managed people who earn more than me before.

Roselilly36 · 16/11/2023 07:57

Should have been negotiated at the start. I would assume someone in the role for some years would be earning more than a new starter though. But why would you been shown a spreadsheet with others salaries on? that is extremely unprofessional to say the very least. If I was in your shoes, I would ask for a meeting to resolve asap. Have you not had an offer letter, that should have detailed you hours, pay and start date? It does sound chaotic, I agree with you there!

AlwaysSoManyQuestions · 16/11/2023 07:58

Are you sure was salary not loaded cost?

Janislowe · 16/11/2023 08:03

Are they in sales? I earned approx 20k-30k more than my boss in my last company. I was one of their top sales staff and it was known that some sales staff earned far more than management. Top sales had a similar basic salary plus commission. But the role is very different with different skill sets.

BrimfulOfMash · 16/11/2023 08:07

You put your full negotiating big girl pants on and ask for a meeting to discuss T&C .

Not on the basis of ‘s/he gets more than meeeeee’ primarily, but in your skills and experience / added responsibility/ added challenges (travel, time zones, local laws etc). Also comparators - others’ salaries.

Tbh this reads like one of those features on how men and women approach promotion and pay rises differently and why men end up getting paid more.

Don’t sit there meekly waiting for them to be nice… how does that even demonstrate that you are capable of the role? They expect you to be assertive and show leadership in your own life, surely?

RaisinsOfMildAnnoyance · 16/11/2023 08:08

Janislowe · 16/11/2023 08:03

Are they in sales? I earned approx 20k-30k more than my boss in my last company. I was one of their top sales staff and it was known that some sales staff earned far more than management. Top sales had a similar basic salary plus commission. But the role is very different with different skill sets.

Agree with this. Quota carrying roles aren't the same as salaried, but sales managers often get a bonus tied to their team's results.

OP, you must negotiate salary at some stage. Get prepared for the conversation and then go have it.

Mangledrake · 16/11/2023 08:08

About 20% of the people I manage own as much as or more than I do, and they will for the foreseeable future.

But - I would find it very odd not to know what they were being paid. Managing people implies knowledge of their remuneration, potential for promotion, and incentives - and of their cost to the operation

So I wouldn't assume they are overpaid but I'd expect full information.

Baffledandalarmed · 16/11/2023 08:28

You started a job without full details of the salary?!

Time to put on your big girl pants and ask.

frozendaisy · 16/11/2023 08:50

Do as a man would do, be assertive, talk money.

I mean it's one of the only things H needs to know coming out of first interview. If you don't feel it's enough then turn down the job.

Just ask, what will be my new renumeration package and benefits.

Other people's salary are irrelevant, just concentrate on what you are worth being paid for the job you will/are doing.

senua · 16/11/2023 08:57

It's chaotic but I'm enjoying it. I've just been offered a massive opportunity doing a global role. This was information given to me by the CEO.
If they approached you - rather than you applying - then the onus is on them to make the proposition attractive e.g. offer the right pay and perks.
As others have said, time for big girl pants.

Neriah · 16/11/2023 08:59

Honestly, i think the salary you negotiate for yourself and the salaries that other people in different roles get are two different things.

i agree. What someone else is paid is subject a vast array of factors and has no bearing on what you should be paid. You are "miffed" that nobody has told you about salary, but you say this is a huge global role with significant responsibilities? If you aren't able to raise the subject of your expectations on pay, then you are probably out of your depth in relation to the role.

Fantasia99 · 16/11/2023 09:05

In my field of work, people can negotiate their salaries based on their skills and experience. There is someone underneath me who earns the same as me because they have a particular knowledge set and can and do assist other teams when needed. Another who has a qualification that gives them advisory skills. You need to know why they're being paid more, and why you think you should be paid more, otherwise you can't really form a good argument.

senua · 16/11/2023 09:13

You need to know why they're being paid more, and why you think you should be paid more, otherwise you can't really form a good argument.
OP has said the company is chaotic. There may not be a structure and it is simply a case of who shouts the loudest.
But you are right, OP needs to calculate her worth and convince the CEO of it.

idontlikealdi · 16/11/2023 09:13

You negotiate. Why are women generally so weak at this? It's well evidenced that men negotiate and ask, and apply for roles where they don't fit the exact criteria and women just don't apply.

Notsandwiches · 16/11/2023 09:37

How could you even consider accepting a job with additional responsibilities without asking about your remuneration package? Seriously. Do you think a man would just be thinking "my work speaks for itself...I'm sure it'll be reasonable!" Nope. I strongly suggest you read the book "How Women Rise" its brilliant and made me recognise how passive I was in terms of speaking up for myself, making sure my contribution was seen and my ambitions known.

Original poster
sallynamechange · 16/11/2023 10:10

Sorry for late response folks. It's an IT role, I'm privy to the info that I saw on the spreadsheets , so no problem with confidentiality at all.

I'll keep responding when I can

OP posts:
Original poster
sallynamechange · 16/11/2023 10:11

Baffledandalarmed · 16/11/2023 08:28

You started a job without full details of the salary?!

Time to put on your big girl pants and ask.

It's a new role that I've been selected for within the business I'm in. It was told to me in a company meeting via zoom. Waiting to chat with my superiors when I can about the details

OP posts:
Original poster
sallynamechange · 16/11/2023 10:14

The other staff member has no extra qualifications. For what it's worth I'm very qualified in my field ( despite my terrible typing on here )

OP posts:
Original poster
sallynamechange · 16/11/2023 10:16

Notsandwiches · 16/11/2023 09:37

How could you even consider accepting a job with additional responsibilities without asking about your remuneration package? Seriously. Do you think a man would just be thinking "my work speaks for itself...I'm sure it'll be reasonable!" Nope. I strongly suggest you read the book "How Women Rise" its brilliant and made me recognise how passive I was in terms of speaking up for myself, making sure my contribution was seen and my ambitions known.

I have been told it was a restructuring. I didn't apply

OP posts:
Neriah · 16/11/2023 19:15

sallynamechange · 16/11/2023 10:14

The other staff member has no extra qualifications. For what it's worth I'm very qualified in my field ( despite my terrible typing on here )

The other staff member is paid what they are paid. Not your business why. Your business is to negotiate what you think you are worth based on you. Just like they did.

MargotBamborough · 16/11/2023 19:22

You need to do your own benchmarking exercise.

Can you contact a few specialised recruiters in your field and have an honest chat with them?

Tell them about the role you've been offered and say you're contemplating whether to take it or look for something similar externally and ask what they think of your CV and how much they think you're worth.

stayathomer · 16/11/2023 19:23

When I started my old job I came from a bigger and more prominent company and chanced my arm when they asked how much I was looking for. I got it and found out soon after I was the only one even close to this. I’m sorry op but if you didn’t negotiate for a bigger wage it would be crazy of them to change it. Do definitely give it a go though and best of luck