To be resentful of my employer?

[Janelle1]

I'll try and keep this brief. I may well be expecting too much here.

I work in Finance for a large global organisation. Until dec 14 I was Finance Advisor earning £31,000 and my manager (head of Finance, lots of responsibility) earned £80,000 plus 20% bonus. She left in Dec and I was asked to take on her role, possibly only temporarily while they looked for a replacement. My then-boss's boss (based in the U.S.) left at the same time (unrelated) and I now report into the new manager in the U.S. I never hear anything from her, to say she's my manager is laughable.

In March I raised the issue of my title and salary as I hadn't received ANY info whatsoever about what was expected of me. She was clueless and didn't even understand what my position was anyway. I explained that I am the sole contact in finance for EMEA and APAC serving 700 employees. Of course I had amalgamated both roles so it was - and still is - a much heavier workload but there have been no issues. She went away to "look into it" and I didn't hear from her until I started chasing in June. She promoted me to "senior finance advisor" (which is daft as anyone I speak to asks to speak to my 'manager' so the title completely undermines my overall position and responsibility) and increased my salary to £40k. She explained that I am "well ahead career wise of my peers (I'm 28" making the point that it was great experience for my age!!

I explained that while I was grateful I didn't feel this was substantial given all the responsibility I had taken on. As far as I'm concerned, my company is the only one benefitting from this. I sent across poles of documents and job specs and she said she'd get the compensation team to look into it. Months passed and I heard nothing (she doesn't even reply to my polite emails asking for an update. Fast forward to Friday - every year in Sept the company carries out a compensation review and this year it's been put on hold because they are changing it to coincide with the end of the fiscal year. My boss gave me the excuse that she would do my compensation review at the same time. Now she's saying there is nothing she can do at this time.

Just for background - due to the nature of my job, I have access to all salaries. I am paid the 8th lowest salary in the UK and all the (incidentally male) people who have had similar promotions have received an immediate change of title and a salary to match.

HR are based in the U.S. And my 'manager' is part of the HR team.

Aibu to be pissed off? Wwyd?

Leave.

Either your work is worth more than £40K to them (in which case they'll pay you to stay).

Or it's not.

The acid test comes if they can't recruit a replacement for you at your current salary.

Just for background - due to the nature of my job, I have access to all salaries. I am paid the 8th lowest salary in the UK and all the (incidentally male) people who have had similar promotions have received an immediate change of title and a salary to match.

It would be highly unprofessional of you to use this information in negotiations. It's highly sensitive, and you have been entrusted with it. That said, the very fact you have access to it underscores your position.

(Just for illustration my boss is a director of a billion-pound UK company. They have no idea what I am paid - just my base grade (which is a banding) plus an adjustment.)

Thank you so much for your review. I'm afraid I would have to leave if this is not resolved, something I'm very reluctant to do as I love it here. We don't operate a 'banding' system but it is important to have the correct job title as they use the Radford model.

I am mostly disappointed because I just feel that their behaviour is discriminatory. Had I taken on the work of someone with the same or similar role as mine I wouldn't be so annoyed, but this is several tiers (ie top job!!!) above mine and this isn't reasonable. Of course none of my work has gone away, so I'm doing 2 jobs at once.

Reply not review!!!! Ha

Can you talk to the head of HR or your bosses boss about it?

Do you think they are intending to take on someone between you and your boss which is why they are reluctant to promote you and pay you more?

I would be looking elsewhere as well though so you have something behind the threat to leave.

YANBU, my husband is an assistant manager in his field and when his manager left last year he was asked to step up until they found a permanent replacement (he applied but was unsuccessful as they already had someone waiting in the wings). For theatre month interim he was paid a manager salary and titled 'Acting manager'.

If nothing else I would request they change your job title to 'acting HOF', if nothing else this will pack a punch on your CV.

Have you been given a new temporary contract outlining your new responsibilities?

Thanks Winchester. I have already approached HR in the U.S. (Where they're based) and were useless.

Thank you Welshmaenad - I haven't received any paperwork at all - not even had so much as a phone convo outlining my responsibilities. I constantly have ppl in other depts asking what my official title is! It's infuriating!

Winchester - sorry forgot to add: now they are saying they have no plans to take anyone on because the dept is running v well! You can't make it up.

Ugh. You need a new contract. You're doing £111,000 worth of work for £40k. They're taking the piss!

Thanks for all the responses. I'm going to have a chat with the company legal person.

Legal lady has been on holiday. I emailed my manager on Monday and have not even received a reply from her, Aibu to have expected an urgent response? She regularly ignores my emails.

Not unreasonable at all. Thinking forward, have you got copies of all the emails (pertaining to the issue) that you have sent and she's not replied to? Have you tagged anything like "I'm disappointed you haven't responded to x amount of emails on the matter" or words to that effect?

Does she reply to other emails? As in, could you contact her and say "Can I check I have your correct details because you have avoided addressing this important issue" etc?

You need to put it very very bluntly; outline that you are doing a previously 80k job AND your own previously 30K job for 40k, and that you have not been given a new job spec, new title etc etc. You need to state that you are well aware of everyone elses salaries and job changes and have concluded that the lack of change in yours is unfair and discriminatory and that you will be seeking legal representation unless you get an adequate response with X days.

How long are you gong to let them take the piss out of you?

you have three choices
leave
challenge it internally via a grievance
gather evidence and consult someone externally regarding the matter and course of action. make sure they are a lawyer and experienced in discrimination, constructive dismissals and employment tribunals

I suspect the correct course of action is 3 followed by 2 (so that you have exhausted internal routes to resolution) which will cause 1) and then its tribunal but don't be fooled into thinking this is an easy option.

Most American based bosses in US companies haven't a clue regarding EU law on employment and mess it up left right and centre particularly in relation to equality

Fight, you might win.

Leave, and you won't win, and you'll be leaving at your designated lower rate. Find a decent employment lawyer and have a chat.

Ok, this is bullshit. You need a lawyer (and printed copies of all documentation. I can pm you details of a fantastic employment lawyer if you want one. She is ace

Can I just exercise a note of caution here.
Just because the previous person was paid £80k, does not automatically mean that it is a "£80k" role - this person presumably had a number of years of experience. More realistic to see what the starting rate for this role is.

Also have you looked externally to see what you could earn else where? Your employers are taking advantage somewhat but if you could get the title change then is it worth sticking it out for a short term so you have the CV to catapault you to a much better paying position elsewhere? Just a thought.

Can you find a senior British Manager who will mentor and advocate for you with the US management team?

List out the responsibilities you have in your cv, and get some more time under your belt and then go and get yourself a job at that level and compensation from another company. Use this company as a means to an end. You won't get a better opportunity to better yourself. Fast track your own career!

If you love the current business so much, perhaps you can go spend a year with another firm and get asked back to do the job WITH the title and wonga!