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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To feel like quitting my job after finding out what a colleague got for a pay rise / bonus?

43 replies

Albadross · 13/02/2015 18:30

I've been 'proving I can work at the next grade above me' since 2012. In that time I've more than proved I can deliver, and I've met all my objectives every year and then some.

My role was in limbo for a long time - I started there as a PA but there wasn't much of that sort of work to do so I just forged my own remit. My boss told me to simply pretend I had been moved up a grade but there was never any formal announcement of my duties expanding and I was still listed as a PA in all the official org charts etc.

It's made my life difficult because I'm constantly having to ask very senior people to do things, when they understandably just think I'm a jumped up junior that they don't need to bother listening to. Despite this I've created some great working relationships with senior bods and made things happen that others above me had struggled to do previously.

I've also been working voluntarily on projects that have seen very tangible results that benefit a lot of people, and I won an award for that work. I've had great feedback from external clients and I've represented the company at very high profile events.

I was recently having my role finally regraded after asking for this to be done to reflect what I actually do for over a year, and despite my role profile definitely being a certain grade (it was written to meet the capabilities set for that grade), it was kept at a lower one after I was kept in limbo for 3 months. It's STILL not finalised.

The worst part is that 3 days a week of my role has been funded externally because of a situation that I can't go into in case it identifies me, so the company got a full time headcount but only paid for 2 days of it. I think it's wrong for a large org to take funding that could actually benefit someone who really needs it.

I've just found out my pay rise for the year is a measly £350, and I also found out a colleague I work very closely with and who I think is on a equal par when it comes to level of work and achievement got £8K pay rise plus a £6K bonus.

I am devastated. This whole idea of making someone prove themselves by doing more than their role requires, rather than giving them a challenge to rise to seems the wrong way round to me.

AIBU to expect to be recognised for my work through either a promotion or parity of pay, and not just kept on under the same terms whilst the abuse of funding situation carries on indefinitely?

I just feel like there's no point in working hard anymore. So demoralising Confused

OP posts:
maninawomansworld · 13/02/2015 18:39

YANBU at all. Sometimes you can just be 'too useful' where you are If you're working your bum off for minimal reward and appear happy enough to do so then there is little incentive for management to move you up!

If it's the kind of place where you feel you can formally bring this up in a professional manner then do so - if not then you've got to either suck it up or kick up a stink and be prepared to leave if it all goes pear shaped.

Good luck.

MomOfTwoGirls2 · 13/02/2015 18:47

Sounds like you got great experience from it.

I would be sending out my CV if I were in your shoes.

ManOfSpiel · 13/02/2015 18:51

That sounds awful. Sorry OP Sad

When doing all of this extra work was it ever discussed at your yearly appraisal or review?

This is one thing that's worked for me in the past. If I was on a push to progress then I'd set out clear objectives and targets and make sure it was recorded . When it was clear that I'd met or exceeded them they would have no excuse for not recognising my efforts.

You have right to be cross but it's advisable to approach with caution, unless you want to leave and feel like going ballistic anyway.

Hamiltoes · 13/02/2015 18:57

I could have written your post!!

I have no advice, I tried going to my boss and my boss's boss. Nothing they could do.

I went to my union who helped me collaborate a "file", of all the things I do which others don't do, and their pay grades next to mine. The only difference between me and those on my team (who are all male strangely enough) as that I'd taken 7 months maternity leave and they hadn't.

I'm in a position where I taught the trainee how to do their job (who is 10 years older than me), and they are now my senior (promoted whilst I was on maternity leave). My boss has all but admitted it would have been mines if I was there.

I'm still waiting for a pay rise 2 years on and the pay gap only widens as ours is a % of salary and bonus by grading.

I feel your frustration!

HermioneWeasley · 13/02/2015 19:04

If you don't feel appreciated you should leave and work for a place that will pay you fairly

niceandwarm · 13/02/2015 19:07

How did you find out about your coleagues pay rise and bonus. It sounds too good to be true tbh

Original poster
Albadross · 13/02/2015 19:43

NIceandwarm I asked him and he told me. He's painfully trustworthy so I believe him. He was promoted into my team whilst I was on maternity leave too, and he's ten years younger. My boss is also younger than me.

We've just been moved under a new big boss, so I think I'm going to try him, but I don't hold out much hope.

There's been discussions around us having a huge workload and not enough people, so if they take on someone else above me I'm really going to lose it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Albadross · 13/02/2015 19:45

ManOfSpiel we have a very detailed performance review twice a year and I've brought it up every time. Every time I watch the men in the team going to training the firm pay for and I've never ever had that oppotunity.

OP posts:
Original poster
Albadross · 13/02/2015 19:48

Hamiltoes, I'm both glad and sad you're going through this Sad

OP posts:
WeldedParentMaterials · 13/02/2015 19:49

Eh, if he does the same job that's sex discrimination.

Demand they pay you the same or tel them you'll go to a tribunal.

WeldedParentMaterials · 13/02/2015 19:51

OP, just read your further posts. You need to go in and quite clearly say "can you please explain why the MEN in the team are getting all the training opportunities, payrises and bonuses and I'm not? " Then sit stoney faced in silence and wait til they speak.

nottheOP · 13/02/2015 19:56

You need to be willing to move. Sort out your cv, find something with progression and see how you go. If you manage to find a new job, your current employer may match it or improve upon it. They also may not which is why you need to be willing to go.

It is also worth a conversation with the relevant person to ask specifically what you need to do to maximise your earning potential with the company. Get it documented with targets that are measurable and discuss figures. Also take someone with you so they can't go back on their word.

LaurieMarlow · 13/02/2015 20:03

What nottheOP said. Another job offer is often what it takes for them to take you seriously and pay you accordingly.

You need that ammunition clearly. Otherwise they'll continue to take you for granted.

SweetValentine · 13/02/2015 20:07

Force a job title change out of them. It'll be easier than getting a decent pay increase and use that CV information to kove on and tell them to go fuck themselves

SweetValentine · 13/02/2015 20:07

*move

ahbollocks · 13/02/2015 20:08

I wonder if they external funding means something in regards to your pay rise here? Would they lose the external funding if they formally acknowledged your contribution and talents?

JackieTheFart · 13/02/2015 20:21

YANBU. They sound like a shower of sexist bastards.

mushypeasontoast · 13/02/2015 20:30

What welded said. Make sure that your question and their response is documented. Also compare your job descriptions pointing out where there is parity and where you do more.
Take a witness with you.

Pilgit · 13/02/2015 20:35

You need to point out the disparity with total lack of emotion. Make it seem like a daft oversight. And dispassionately point out that this kind of behaviour would open them up to claims of discrimination. That you don't want to go down that road but neither will you settle for being treated like this. If you get nowhere with your manager - escalate and keep escalating until someone takes you seriously. Go to HR as well.

ManOfSpiel · 13/02/2015 20:41

Albadross

In that case I would walk but I'm funny about this kind of thing. One option would be to discuss this politely with your boss' boss and give them advance notice of your intention to leave. This can instigate the pay rise you're deserved.

However, I cannot abide by people that give pay rises under duress or because you threaten to leave. I either get what I believe I deserve from the outset or I walk. Anyone with an ounce of honour/integrity will know what their staff are worth and pay as fairly as possible. The fact they're not tells me they are a bag of s#ite.

As others have said, I would update your CV with all the positives from your current position and then start looking at other companies.

Best of luck Smile

waddleandtoddle · 13/02/2015 20:42

Start to think about moving, apply to a similar job elsewhere and get paid 10/15k more and then if the job you're doing and all the effort you go to is exactly what you want, get them to counter offer. I read the word force above - force the issue and you will get what you want and strangely no one will know any different!

Ijustworemytrenchcoat · 13/02/2015 20:59

I work in a role where I know, because my supervisor has told me, the job descriptions for our grade were deliberately 'written down'. This has gone on for years before I worked there - the previous manager sent the JD back when it came out a grade higher to be 'reworded'. They then have the cheek to shamelessly add on duties way over our level of responsibility which are not mentioned anywhere. This is public sector.

You are right it is demoralising. I was always the person who stayed late after my shift to get things done, always slogging my guts out trying to keep things going during staff shortages while the seniors always carried on as normal taking all their breaks and ignoring the chaos. I am NHS and am watching my hospital and the service at large being carved up. It has made me very bitter and antagonistic actually towards the management. For my own sanity I am trying to get out, do you think even if you get your deserved raise your company will appreciate you? I don't think they deserve you.

PrettyFeet · 13/02/2015 21:04

Yes it seems like a "far too useful" thing. If I were you I'd look for another job and go in at the salary you require. You will never get this where you are. They have already shown you in no uncertain terms that its not an option for you.. its wrong of course.

UptheChimney · 13/02/2015 21:04

He was promoted into my team whilst I was on maternity leave too, and he's ten years younger. My boss is also younger than me.

On the face of it, might you have a sexual discrimination case here?
It certainly looks like it.

HoHoHereWeGo · 13/02/2015 21:15

I'd want a new job title at the least.