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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be embarrassed by my wage?

73 replies

pizzaintheoven · 05/12/2022 18:23

We have an apprentice at work who works the same role but is more admin based. I am only on £3K more than him.

This is embarrassing right?

OP posts:
Overthebow · 05/12/2022 18:27

depends on your experience surely?

Keyansier · 05/12/2022 18:27

Too little to go on but really, I don't think you should be poking your nose into other people's wages, it's really none of your business..

Original poster
pizzaintheoven · 05/12/2022 18:31

Keyansier · 05/12/2022 18:27

Too little to go on but really, I don't think you should be poking your nose into other people's wages, it's really none of your business..

How did you come to that conclusion?

They initiated a conversation with me about the career and pay and said their pay was shit and it was X amount.

I never once ask them their wage. Ive never ask anyone that question.

OP posts:
redbigbananafeet · 05/12/2022 18:33

Well it depends entirely on how long you've been there. Did you finish your apprenticeship last year?

user143677433 · 05/12/2022 18:33

You are doing the same role? In which case presumably you should be glad you are earning more than them?

SavingKitten · 05/12/2022 18:33

I can’t see why it’s embarrassing, you do the same job but they are training so it’s not going to be crazy amounts more money. Obviously depends to some extent what your job is though.

TimeAtTheBar · 05/12/2022 18:35

Why is it embarrassing? Most adult apprenticeships are paid at the normal working rate these days, otherwise no one would afford to do them.

DowntonCrabby · 05/12/2022 18:37

Of course it’s not embarrassing.
It may not be why you feel you are worth though, in which case make a case to negotiate what you feel you are worth with your manager, frame it as “I want to progress, I feel I am worth x . If you don’t feel I am worth that i’d like to be able to undertake more work/training to gain more skills and improve my pay, how would you advise me?”

Don’t bring the apprentice into it at all.

It won’t hurt to look at what similar jobs to you pay, you’ll either get a good feel for what’s fair market rate or you’ll potentially find a great new opportunity.

PorridgewithQuark · 05/12/2022 18:39

pizzaintheoven · 05/12/2022 18:23

We have an apprentice at work who works the same role but is more admin based. I am only on £3K more than him.

This is embarrassing right?

Its not embarrassing but it is a reason to negotiate a pay rise, especially if you haven't had one in the last 12 months.

How long have you been doing the job? Do you have relevant qualifications and/ or did you complete the apprenticeship that the current apprentice is now doing?

Those are points to raise when negotiating very calmly and unemotionally.

Most important are your skills transferable and sought after? Generally it's an employee's market atm especially for those with sought after skills.

It might boost your self esteem to refresh your CV and start applying for new roles and asking for the salary you think you deserve.

EmergentThoughts · 05/12/2022 18:39

If you're being paid below market rate you need to either build a case for a pay rise or move to a different job. Most people further their career via job changes rather than rising the ranks from within, as it were, but you know your organisation best.

Original poster
pizzaintheoven · 05/12/2022 18:47

I’ve never been an apprentice. My job is higher up in that I would run an entire project and they would do the admin side of it. They are also a teenager. So yeah maybe I feel worthless.

OP posts:
redbigbananafeet · 05/12/2022 18:48

How long have you been working in the role?

Ted27 · 05/12/2022 18:49

No it's not embarrassing
Where I work apprentices are paid the same as others doing the same role. They are doing the same work- why would they be paid less?
Anyone starting a new job has to be trained and learn the job - the only difference is that they are studying for a qualification.

Danikm151 · 05/12/2022 18:54

It would definitely make me question my worth.
to those who say it’s not of your business, wage transparency is important to ensure staff are being paid their worth.
Sometimes it will be a matter that a higher wage was negotiated at the start, other times- guidelines have changed and you have missed. Most likely is that your employer has got away with it for so long they don’t expect you to challenge it.

book a meeting with your manager, do some research to see what others in your position are being paid, explain what you do and what you think fair compensation would be. If they say no, ask what you need to do to get a pay rise.
I’ve done this a few times and it’s worked 🙂

saying that- the last time I was having a bit of a moan to my manager that with the living wage going up I don’t feel my hourly rate feels as good as it used to- a couple of weeks later I had a letter from HR with a 4% payrise and a guarantee that i’ll still get whatever cost of living wage will be applied in April( practically unheard of)

Beneficialchampion2 · 05/12/2022 19:03

Keyansier · 05/12/2022 18:27

Too little to go on but really, I don't think you should be poking your nose into other people's wages, it's really none of your business..

People like you are the reason there is a such a big disparity in pay and why so many are treated unfairly. Normalise wage transparency!

Forestdweller11 · 05/12/2022 19:09

Wage transparency is so important. Have you been there a while/ taken for granted perhaps?

Poundofflesh · 05/12/2022 19:12

Of course it’s OPs business whether she’s being paid a fair wage.

Babyroobs · 05/12/2022 19:16

I only feel embarrassed about my wages when I come on mumsnet and listen to people rattling on about earning 100k and having paid off their 500k mortgage by the age of 32.

Wiluli · 05/12/2022 19:23

What’s your profession or sector ?

BarbaraofSeville · 05/12/2022 19:24

Your employer is not going to pay you more without some encouragement from you.

Ask for a pay rise. Find out the market rate for your job and if you're not getting that much, ask for that amount.

Apply for better paid jobs and then when you get offered one, tell your employer that you will leave unless they match what you've been offered.

What sort of money are we talking about? Come April, NMW for a full time worker will be around £21k, so a lot of skilled workers will also expect a pay rise, otherwise they could do a more routine job and earn the same money with less hassle.

TildaRae · 05/12/2022 19:27

I’m on an apprenticeship and I’m early 40s. I’m paid the same as my counterparts in the same role that aren’t doing an apprenticeship. Could this be the case for your colleague? Apprenticeships are not always paid at the minimum rate.

FlissyPaps · 05/12/2022 19:27

Of course it’s not embarrassing do you have any idea how this teenager will feel if they knew this is what you think?

You’re undermining them, and the work they do.

You need to raise this with your line manger and ask for a pay rise to reflect your role and responsibilities.

Hankunamatata · 05/12/2022 19:30

Go and do something about it. Ask to renegotiate your wage. Look at other roles.

Itsbeenashortyear · 05/12/2022 19:30

How long have you done this role for this employer?

Don’t be embarrassed. Use it it to motivate you into getting a pay rise.

What other people earn, is no reflection on you. A lot of Employers will pay what they can get away with paying. Ignore what they are being paid and look to get paid what you think you are worth.

thenewaveragebear1983 · 05/12/2022 19:36

I was talking to someone about apprenticeships as I really want a career change. “The pay is shit though” I was advised… looked a few up to find they were more than I was on, and I was in a post in a school with a fair amount of responsibility with children and line management of other staff 🤦‍♀️
(I asked for a pay increase, they refused, so I left)