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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask your opinions on this

14 replies

TinaTeaspoons · 20/10/2022 22:21

DH works for an agency part time. He has 2 autoimmune diseases so this helps him be able to work but in a way that is manageable to him. He's been there over a year, built up a good reputation and is experienced in the field and more qualified than others with the agency. He is on a low wage but for the work he does, it's pretty standard. However, yesterday, he got chatting to a member of the same agency who has been there for just 2 months but is on higher, hourly pay then he is despite being less qualified. DH really not happy, aibu to say this is massively taking the mick?

OP posts:

B1pbop · 20/10/2022 22:23

Qualifications don’t always mean more pay. Maybe experience is more highly valued?

Discovereads · 20/10/2022 22:23

YANBU, seems like ableism. He should question his pay and ask for a pay rise.

ComtesseDeSpair · 20/10/2022 22:39

The labour market has changed a lot in the past year or so: demand exceeds supply and so it’s been much more difficult for employers to fill roles. Many will have increased starting salaries for new recruits to attract applicants. I doubt it’s anything to do with your DH being disabled and much more to do with him having taken the job and accepted the pay when the market was different.

He should raise the subject of his pay and thinking it should be reviewed in line with current market and cost of living conditions with his manager.

Original poster

TinaTeaspoons · 20/10/2022 22:42

He's the most experienced and qualified there by a mile.

OP posts:

ComtesseDeSpair · 21/10/2022 00:26

Then he needs to set out what his qualifications being to the role and why they make him equal to or better performing than the newer colleague. If they objectively mean he does a better job then he deserves the same or higher pay than what he originally accepted. But performance and added value are the key terms: simply having some qualifications doesn’t make you worth more if you don’t fulfil the objectives of your role better.

Original poster

TinaTeaspoons · 21/10/2022 12:33

The point is, this other person was offered a higher rate at interview and my DH was not. It was not based on performance as it was agreed prior to any work.
DH been there a good while now and always had good feedback and as I said, the most qualified and experienced by a mile.

OP posts:

HowVeryBizarre · 21/10/2022 12:41

You say your DH has been there a while, new hires are being offered different rates to attract them. You also say “the point is” but you are totally missing the point. Your DH needs to negotiate a better rates quoting his experience and length of service,

NoSquirrels · 21/10/2022 12:44

Now he knows a higher hourly rate is on offer, he should negotiate that with the agency. Not much more to it, is there? Don’t ask, don’t get etc.

WhenISnappedAndFarted · 21/10/2022 12:45

HowVeryBizarre · 21/10/2022 12:41

This

Stars71 · 21/10/2022 12:46

Agencies will always get away with paying the lowest rate. Unless people state they expect a higher rate, they will get the minimum. He should speak to the agency.

OP83 · 21/10/2022 12:47

If the company are keen to recruit new staff then it may well be that the 'new guy' negotiated better pay when he applied for the position.

This doesn't mean that the 'standard' rate of pay has changed but, with a labour shortage in some sectors, it becomes an employees market.

If your husband is experienced and recognised at being good at his job then maybe suggest he negotiates a pay rise (if they're happy to pay more for new staff then they'll surely pay more to keep experienced ones).

MRSE20 · 21/10/2022 12:50

Your DH needs to speak to the agency and ask for a better rate of pay than he is on. Explain he has been there a year, has the most experience, good at his job etc

I can relate to this a bit. I had worked somewhere 10 years and found out the new woman was getting more than me, she had 8 years experience at similar work so they wanted to pay her more to get her in basically. But I was really upset when I found out. I came to the realisation that it didn’t matter what others were getting paid, but I was worth more than what I was getting. So I asked for a raise and I did get one. I left not long after due to other reasons

girlmom21 · 21/10/2022 13:11

They were probably more desperate for staff when they took on the newer workers, hence the better pay.

He should ask for an increase.

Original poster

TinaTeaspoons · 21/10/2022 18:42

He went mad about it down the phone and they were very apologetic and almost begging him to stay as well as increased his pay. He's still not happy that he's been working at a lower rate for so long but is planning to move on soon anyway. The boss himself admitted that lots of his assistants have been signing people up and he is unaware of the hourly rates they are all being given. Totally ridiculous.

OP posts:

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