Significantly more pay at "sister" business for same job

[thewhitefan]

I work in an office environment.

Been with my current employer for 8.5 years. Have been looking for a new position for a while. The business I work in is a small business - just 3 part time employees. It is a franchise and there is another franchise in the next town who we work closely with. I understood that the other business is recruiting and came across their job advert today for the exact same job I do at significantly more pay than I receive.

I am very angry as my boss is constantly saying how lucky she is to have me and how good it would be for the other business to get someone like me! How do I approach this with my boss? The reason I saw the other advert is because I am looking for another job and I had a suspicion the job advertised was for the other business and had it confirmed when I phoned the recruitment agency.

You present a business case as to why you deserve a pay rise.

Or apply for the other job.

Be angry at yourself for failing to address this before now.

Yes, you are right!

I didn't actually realise I was underpaid.

No need to be “very angry”- the owner of the business you work for is unlikely to be obliged to pay the same as a completely separate franchise for the same job. Perhaps the other business struggles to recruit therefore have to offer a higher rate, or perhaps the business owner is just more generous.

If you feel that you are underpaid for the role you perform in the local market, present a business case for an increase to your boss.

Perhaps the other business struggles to recruit therefore have to offer a higher rate, or perhaps the business owner is just more generous

Or perhaps the other business generates more revenue so can afford higher salaries. It is also possible that the other business has no intention of paying the salary advertised. Some businesses advertise higher salaries than they intend to pay in order to attract more candidates.

Although both businesses are operating within the same franchise, they are separate businesses. There is no reason to expect them to pay the same salaries.

Ok, I have taken on board the comments and am coming up with some calm, sensible things to say in a meeting with my boss.

We are a very small company and I know the boss very well, right down to what her kids like to eat, how much her hobbies cost and how clean her house is. I also know she doesn't much like change and will just "bumble" along with things if she can get away with it and I am certainly guilty of not being overly proactive with insisting on appraisals etc.

I do know the other business very well and am on friendly terms with the owner there too. I am also aware of the financial position of both businesses.

I think the fundamental thing is that I know both owners have been talking and I have been told that the other owner is "desperate to get someone like me", he has told me that himself. I also consider my boss of 8.5 years to be a friend as well as a boss and I think this is why I have been quite upset.

I am building my case for the value I have added to the business in the time I have been there and what I think my worth is and why.

If you are looking for a new job anyway, and you are on friendly terms with the other business owner, who is "desperate to get someone like you", why not just move there?

He wouldn't take me on through loyalty to my boss.

I doubt that. Business is business!