To think this is unfair of my employer? Or am I being entitled?

[Butamii]

I work as an accountant, I have been in this role for 7 years. Recently published newly qualified accountant rates for our company are 60k. I am paid 61,500.

I have been back from mat leave six months and I raised the pay issue when I learned that we had a newly qualified accountant join our team on this basis, ie he is paid 60k. He has zero experience as he hasn’t ever practised before. I have not specifically mentioned him (yet) but it prompted me to ask about pay.

i have been told that pay is about various things and that I have flexibility in my role that also is a valuable thing to have. I have to leave early for pick up for my child for example. They are very flexible. For clarity they weren’t saying I am not paid more because I have flexibility but they were saying that I need to consider the whole package the company offers and that pay is also linked to expectations being met. I said I have never ever been told I’m not meeting expectations either before or after maternity leave. At this point they said it had taken me a while to get back up to speed after Mat leave… this was the first I have heard of that as I have had good feedback since being back.

anyway they have said they will ‘feed back’ my concerns to the top. For me this isn’t sufficient and I am now on the cusp of actually calling out this hire in our team and explicitly stating that they are paying a (male) member of staff almost the same as me when I have never been told I am not meeting expectations before and I am much more qualified.

Am I being entitled here? I guess they can do what they want really and I don’t know for sure what others are paid at my level but I suspect I am in the lower end as I am not sure many people would put up with this? I am not able to know other salaries, I only know the new starter as it’s published on the website.

Do they ever do a re-shuffle of wages to avoid this gap? We had our salaries bumped up because competitive new start salaries meant the gap in wages was narrowing. To retain staff, they bumped up all wages in line with the inflation driving new start wages up. If they don’t do that people vote with their feet and talent is lost.

Yes, agree that you need to get a higher paying role elsewhere and use that as a bargaining chip. It's not necessarily a sexism issue, but more a long time staff issue unless there is other discrimination going on...

If you’re working the same contracted hours as him, not doing shorter days/less days etc, then I agree that 1.5k more for 7 years worth of experience is rubbish. Have you been working at that particular company for that amount of time
too? That might factor in, I know it does where I work, you could have been a whatever specialist you are for 10 years, but if you started at the cokpany not long before someone who had no experienced you tend to get the same salary unless you’ve really negotiated it beforehand

How many of the same type of accountants are there in total? What are they all paid and what is their sex? This certainly sounds totally unfair (and you mat leave is irrelevant - why weren't you earning more before you got pregnant). It may well be nothing more than you didn't complain and so this carried on. Have you been getting rises every/most years since you started?

If you’re working the same contracted hours as him, not doing shorter days/less days etc, then I agree that 1.5k more for 7 years worth of experience is rubbish. Have you been working at that particular company for that amount of time
too? That might factor in, I know it does where I work, you could have been a whatever specialist you are for 10 years, but if you started at the cokpany not long before someone who had no experienced you tend to get the same salary unless you’ve really negotiated it beforehand

not sure why this posted twice for me 🤦🏻‍♀️

I'm in tax, not accounting, but there is a massive lack of staff across the world for qualified accountants, hence all the off shoring. I would be asking for 20pc raise and if not looking for something new, assuming you are underpaid for your level of experience and location, and the new hire didn't just negotiate well at interview.

For example I know my partner negotiated 20k more than the job was advertised at in his latest role along with other perks. Some people drive a hard bargain.

You really only have one decision, then. Change employer in the hope of a raise or stay.

I had similar happen to me when I was in my mid twenties, I immediately looked for a new role as I clearly wasn't valued. That's when I realised job hopping generally is what gets you pay rises, not loyalty. I went from a 30k role to a 70k role within 6 years once this clicked

Leave and go elsewhere then?

There's your answer. Dust off your CV and start interviewing.

The only way they're going to pay more is if you have a better offer in hand and are truly prepared to take it.

I get that changing jobs is bothersome, but every time I've done it I've been glad that I did.

Well there's your case made for you.

Change your employer - unless they are willing to match what you think you are worth.

(But beware that only you know how much the "flexibility" of your current employer is worth to you...)

I agree with others - start looking elsewhere I'm sure its comfortable where you are but it shows what they think of you

are you able to find out what male colleagues with a similar level of qualification and experience are earning?

Even if you're not planning to leave, have a look around at what's on offer elsewhere.

The art of negotiation is a wonderful thing. Women really do need to become much more assertive and self assured in the workplace. It might sound silly to some but to get ahead in business act as a man would. You don't ask, you don't get. Proactive > reactive.

They can’t question your performance if they haven’t shown in an official way - eg annual review showing your targets aren’t met. So forget that and point out any performance issues can be addressed in a clear way and you welcome it. I would weigh up in your mind whether the flexibility is worth it for you or if you’d rather have more money. And then I’d apply for other roles elsewhere. If you get offered a new job I’d go back to them and say you want 70k or whatever or you’re off to a competitor. Stand your ground but it’s nothing to do with the new employee - it’s the company’s culture and management competency that’s at fault. I thought accountants were in short supply these days so you might find yourself in a strong negotiating position. Ultimately they can pay what they like for whoever - if you don’t like it and they don’t treat you well, vote with your feet. Good luck!

You're not being entitled, sounds like you're being shafted. Line managers often get defensive about this sort of thing so speak to HR (and join a union). Make a positive case for a pay rise citing the amazing things you've done over the last 7 years. Good luck.

It’s fairly standard for new starters to be paid the same as or sometimes even more than existing people in the same role.

It’s a known fact that to earn more money you need to get jobs with different companies because the margin for pay increase is higher.

It’s not necessarily fair but it’s a fact of business.

I’m with you

As others have said... This happens all the time, and its a sign its time to leave. The grass often is greener, loads of employers offer flexibility now.
It was happening to me, so i left, i now earn nearly double what i was earning before and if anything my new job is easier.

This - rather than focus on the fact his starting salary has increased this is about the fact yours has not - is there any scope for promotional levels eg to senior or something

Not sure about others but our Civil Service dept has no progression pay so no matter how long you've been in a grade new staff will be paid the same.

There is a pay scale.... but never worked out what that is there for

This is the only way unfortunately. They won't just give you a pay rise if they don't think you'll leave

yeah I think it's terrible with teachers too, NQTs are on 30k and some of the ones who have been teaching several years aren't on that yet, let alone more. But they have to suck it up. It's just wrong.

if they are sugesting your pay scale is linked to flexibility required for childcare then they are on dodgy ground.

you have the right to request reasonable adjustments..but you shouldn't in effect be charged for them.

you have more years post qualification but are you actually working in a senior capacity /different case load?

he must have some workplace experience or how has he qualified and got round the 3 year work requirement?

I agree with the PPs that moving jobs is the bedt way to secure a higher wage.

Assume who is, and also employs accountants...there is very little variance for years post qualification as the roles are large static on complexity. This is in business not practice though.

You're on the mommy track.

If we don't call it out it'll never change.