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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that this is wrong?

26 replies

Peggyflo · 25/11/2019 21:36

Will start by saying that in his industry, oh is (imo) massively underpaid for what he does.

He finally got a salary raise recently of 3k and was totally chuffed about it, and i am so chuffed for him. I think he deserves a higher raise than that as it still isn't in line with what the job pays in the industry on average but hey.

The joy was cut a bit short on finding out his colleague had been given a raise of 8k. They both do the same job, in the same office, and my OH has been there for 5 years, this colleague only 2 years.

It is worth noting that the manager of this department is brother to the colleage of 2 years....so possibly had some influence over these pay increases...

AIBU? Is there any way for him to bring this up with HR without sounding absolute crap, or would it even be reasonable to?

Obviously we are chuffed for the other person getting a pay raise too - but felt it should be the same amount at least?

OP posts:
SmellMySmellbow · 25/11/2019 21:38

How did he find out? Check his contract as most have a clause that says discussing salary with colleagues is breach of contract/should be strictly confidential so might make it tricky to raise with HR

Original poster
Peggyflo · 25/11/2019 21:41

@SmellMySmellbow They are friends, have been for several years before either of them worked in said department

OP posts:
SmellMySmellbow · 26/11/2019 07:38

Still - check his contract as I don't think close friendship negates that clause if it's present (has been in every job I've held) Just as that might determine if or how he raises it.

Igotitfromajumblesale · 26/11/2019 07:42

Of course it is wrong

It sounds like he simply isn't appreciated by his current employer for whatever reason so perhaps time to start looking for a better paid job in the same industry

puds11 · 26/11/2019 07:42

My work has a clause to stop discussions about pay for exactly this reason.

KellyHall · 26/11/2019 07:45

I have had contracts that say discussions about your remuneration are subject to disciplinary action.

Lipperfromchipper · 26/11/2019 07:46

Is it a performance based pay rise?? A lot of companies do that...your dh and his colleague shouldn’t be talking about it either really!

KellyHall · 26/11/2019 07:47

If he believes he is worth more, and can demonstrate it using evidence of work he does/the industry standard pay for such work, he can raise that with HR. But saying he deserves more only because someone else gets more probably wouldn't get a good response.

churchandstate · 26/11/2019 08:13

Clauses to prevent discussion of pay are illegal under the Equality Act 2010.

mintich · 26/11/2019 08:16

Was just about to say that. Contracts cant have that clause anymore

BrieAndChilli · 26/11/2019 08:18

Could it be that the other person was on lower to start with so they are making it that both are In the same wage?

DontLettuceBrexitLettuceRomain · 26/11/2019 08:48

He can frame it without sounding petty by saying that he has been aware of the difference and would like to understand the causes for it, including a development plan for the areas which the colleague outperforms him in (as there must be some for the pay rise - in theory)

IWorkAtTheCheesecakeFactory · 26/11/2019 08:59

He really should be job hunting by now. Loyalty doesn’t pay in the world of employment. The only way he’ll get paid what he is worth is by going out and working up to it by changing jobs every couple of years.

coconuttelegraph · 26/11/2019 09:05

I was also going to ask where you're all working that you can't discuss your pay. Time for a conversation with your HR departments.

In your situation OP I'm not sure what you can do other than start job hunting for a better salary.

Gallivespian · 26/11/2019 09:06

Why has he remained in a job where he is not paid the industry standard?

Inforthelonghaul · 26/11/2019 09:10

I think I would be asking what is colleague doing to merit the bigger rise and requesting to be put on a work development plan with a pay rise to match colleagues in a set period. If he’s not doing enough he needs to know and if other colleague is doing a better job then he needs training. Same job, hours should mean same pay.

MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 26/11/2019 09:11

Were they both on exactly the same salary beforehand? In my company, pay is related to market conditions (based on your skills/experience benchmarked to the market) so the salary band can be quite wide.

Our bonuses are performance-related (and depends on the available bonus pool for your grade/department).

So there's potentially a number of factors in here, but I'd be wary of him raising it based on what others have mentioned. If he does want to discuss this with his manager/HR, he needs to frame it as: how is my pay rise calculated, and how was £3k the end result? Rather than 'my friends got more than me'.

Then at least you'll have tangible information on the framework the pay rise was given under, to be able to better consider if something unfair has happened there.

MustBeDueSomeBetterFeet · 26/11/2019 09:11

*friend's

Original poster
Peggyflo · 26/11/2019 09:32

No not a performance based pay rise. Both were on he same salary. He is started the job as entry level several years back and had never had a wage increase during that time. The rate he has just been increased to would now classify as the standard...but only for an entry level trainee. So anywhere else he would have already been on this salary and possibly an increase and more oppertunitues i guess.

He does work hard and has been praised at work by other colleges who have also put recommends in for him to have a rise so its not a question of that.

He has stayed with the company for so long because of it being entry level training position initially, and then beyond that just because i think he is too comfortable there.

Both of them have been pushing for their dev plans to be put in place for a while now too. With regards to those dev plans both should still be around a similar salary.

I do think it has been a biased decision based on who is working there but i dont think there would be any way to really bring that up tbh.

My ohs issue is that he is too nice and easily taken advantage of, i can see just see someone suggesting a lower raise for him as they wouldnt think he would protest it :(

Thanks for all the advice so far

OP posts:
IWorkAtTheCheesecakeFactory · 26/11/2019 09:38

If he hasn’t had a pay rise in 5 years and this pay rise only brings him up to level with new entry roles then he’s just not doing a great job OP. Sorry but he’s not impressing anyone there. His friends pay rise shows they do reward so the fact they have kept your DH at entry level salary for 5 years tells you he is just resting on his laurels. He needs to either out in some serious graft in this job or look for a new one. Personally I’d advise he moves on because his work reputation is already well established where he is and it will take a lot to undo that enough to get any worthwhile pay rise.

WorldEndingFire · 26/11/2019 09:38

Better off speaking to his union rep for advice. If he's not in a union, he needs to join one.

www.tuc.org.uk/join-union

billy1966 · 26/11/2019 09:52

He's got to want it for himself OP.

I can imagine it's very frustrating for you, but until he values what he does, there isn't a lot you can do.

Of course he should be looking at other jobs now that he has experience and move on.

But until he values his contribution, others won't either.

💐

Original poster
Peggyflo · 26/11/2019 10:14

Thanks.

There is no union at this company unfortunately.

I do agree he has probably gotten a bit of a reputation for being a doormat at this company now he has sold himself short so many times, and do think it will be hard to shake.

I dont agree he doesnt do a good job though, he has had plenty of people work alongside him pop in good words and letters of recommendation for him (in sure they see too that he doesnt get what he deserves), that just wouldnt happen if he wasnt good at what he does.

I could give plenty examples of where he has stuck out his neck for this company where others havent but i dont want to go into to much detail in case there are any mumsnetters!

We found out this morning that the decision was made by the manager (sibling to colleague). Dont think these type of decisions should be made by family. Bit biased!

OP posts:
Hairydogmummy · 26/11/2019 21:59

I think his company are being very unfair. Even if as PP have suggested they don't think he's doing a good enough job, they should have given him an indication of this and been supporting him to improve, not allowing him to think he's doing a great job and then not rewarding him. They also shouldn't be allowing a sibling to award a pay rise to their brother/sister. None of this is very professional at all and does not sound like the sort of company you'd really want to work for. I'd be advising him to look elsewhere OP or if not, definitely raise his lack of fair pay. Tricky to mention he knows others got more though. If he doesn't get any joy, I'd definitely consider moving on.

WorldEndingFire · 26/11/2019 22:40

You can still join a union and get advice and representation even if there isn't an established union with bargaining rights at his workplace - worth doing now before there is a problem. He will feel relieved to have the support.

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