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.

Sounds like you've been mummy-tracked. Go and find another firm who didn't witness you go through maternity leave.

OP, pure sexism.
Firstly I would be looking around and I would no longer work one minute more that you are paid.
Speak to ACAS too.

Are you paid for the job that you do or your PQE, in my job there can be massive differences in experience with people being paid roughly the same in the same role. Some new entrants are paid annoyingly high salaries because of where they trained etc. Generally jumps in salary come when you move jobs.

Haven't RTFT, but does that mean that the new hire isn't entitled to the same level of flexibility as you if he needs it? Because I bet he would be....

They're giving you the old chestnut of 'you're not up to speed yet after maternity leave' to avoid paying you more and to try to make you feel as if you're to blame

I live outside of London and wfh but my office, not that I go, is based in London.

I am ACA. My qualified salary in 2019 was £55k and then it rose each year but I moved into industry. I’ve been on £120k since 2022.

FBP roles should be 55k+ as a newly qualified, I had offers in this when I qualified but chose to go into consulting. I’m now back in accounting as it’s easier

The job market is very good for accountants right now. Not for much else tbh.

I’m fully remote but company is US based, have an office in London. It’s a massive company. I’m now in industry.

Also agree with this, plus your female colleagues

This is what happens when you have been in a job for awhile. Start looking for a new job.

YA definitely NBU. Start getting your CV out there, and don't be too discreet with your current employers about the fact that you are looking.

I would be completely unimpressed with someone stating that my low pay was because it took me a while to get back up to speed after maternity leave. It takes anyone with a year off, some time to get back up to speed. And your pay was already low beforehand. And a chat about pay is NOT the right time to bring up any concerns. I'd be following up to ask what specific concerns they had, what they thought you could ha e practically done differently and why it wasn't raised at the time.

Also any discussions about flexibility I'd be pointing out it's also a benefit to the company as you recognise it goes both ways and that's why you work out of hours to ensure hours are met / deadlines are hit, so they do benefit from a flexible arrangement as much as you do if not more as your hours are still over contracted

You shouldn't have to at all but may be worth dropping in to conversation how you're not having any more children as this unfortunately will be in the back of some people's minds.

It's definitely worth another conversation with them. I'd be making it clear in not so many words that I would be looking elsewhere if they don't pay me more. Tell them you spoke to a recruitment consultant who said that the range for your experience was £x to £y

Unfortunately sometimes by staying in the same company a long time, your pay stagnates compared to if you've moved around

@marshmallowmix In the East of England. His firm is looking for another qualified for his office, as are other firms. Most of his colleagues get cold called by recruiters regularly. That’s both qualified and those who are training.
Office is in commuting distance of central London, so that could be significant.

Oh fantastic! i'm trying to find a fully remote role bit it is proving difficult...

OP you need to move, I saw at my last place someone new came in on £75k and not as qualified as the person who left they were on c £60k/£65k....in that case the new person negotiated more hols too...it is the way newbies often start on higher salaries it's not your colleagues fault i wouldn't blame him or name him...

You should ask, what specifically do I need to do to get an increase in salary?