Am I being treated fairly?

[diffdaysamebs]

I need the collective wisdom of Mumsnet.

I have been at my city Law firm for 15 years. Since last June, my company has been trying to be more 'inclusive'. I have previously suffered with lack of opportunities and general maltreatment. Think along the lines of:

• overlooked for promotion despite having all the right experience and qualifications. Being fobbed off with excuses such as 'I need more years of experience', despite others with less experience getting the job.

• managing a large team (of whom all were younger with less experience and qualifications), but getting paid less than some of them who report directly to me. Awkward.

• having to be my own advocate for equal/more pay (see above), then being labelled aggressive and money obsessed.

• my work being scrutinised more than others and an apparent zero tolerance approach to my mistakes. For example, my peer could make 10 spelling mistakes writing a legal paper, and it would be overlooked. I make one, it is almost certainly highlighted.

Because I have gone through this for years, I have lost the ability to understand whether this is normal or not. Do others experience such things in the workplace?

YABU - yes, many others experience this.
YANBU - no, this is unusual, and you should find a better workplace.

F

Why do you mention the ‘inclusivity’ element? Is it relevant to your situation? You being paid less than team members you manage is absolutely unacceptable. Frankly, it sounds like they’re trying to ‘manage you out’. Save any examples of unfair treatment (for instance your colleague’s work with the errors) as you may need to build your case. If you’re not enjoying your role, would you look elsewhere or is your specialism niche? I’d imagine you’d have other opportunities if you’re working in a City law firm. Good luck - it certainly doesn’t sound fair - being accused by a City law firm of being money obsessed is absurd - you’re not working for a charity.

I'm not sure why you're still working there.

Yes, the inclusivity element is relevant to me.

I did think about whether they were trying to manage me out, but the team members being paid more started pretty much as soon as I got there. I just think they find it 'acceptable' that I am paid less.

Another colleague was almost in a similar situation when she hired someone externally and the person had to be paid market rate. They immediately increased her salary as soon as he joined, so she didn't ever have to be paid less than her reports.

@LadyDancealot

Why do you mention the ‘inclusivity’ element? Is it relevant to your situation? You being paid less than team members you manage is absolutely unacceptable. Frankly, it sounds like they’re trying to ‘manage you out’. Save any examples of unfair treatment (for instance your colleague’s work with the errors) as you may need to build your case. If you’re not enjoying your role, would you look elsewhere or is your specialism niche? I’d imagine you’d have other opportunities if you’re working in a City law firm. Good luck - it certainly doesn’t sound fair - being accused by a City law firm of being money obsessed is absurd - you’re not working for a charity.

The role is ok and I am not especially niche.

My main concern at the moment is whether it will actually be better anywhere else? And as I have been there 15 years, walking away from a potential redundancy payout is hard.

Yanbu. But if i was going through that id be keeping close records and then having a formal conversation and specifically saying i feel bullied and like i am being constructively dismissed.