Internal promotion but paid below market average

[TamboLearns]

Ladies,

My predecessor left & I was promoted. I was given a pay rise of £3k and topped upto £40k on completion of probation which was reduced from 6 months to 3 based on my performance. £40k is below market average and whilst its known the employer is not known for it’s money, it’s well below what I would expect.

I’ve challenged both my manager & HR in 3 meetings with no success. They cite my lack of managerial experience & instead I have ‘opportunity’.

I’m the only (Asian) female in a male team and I recently discovered a white male colleague was given a raise. I brought this up with HR without specifics but was told he was already a ‘manager’ even if it wasn’t in his title. I had to meet objectives that no other colleague has had and I’ve challenged the inconsistency - they don’t believe they’re being unfair. They also want me to do my old role and new! Apparently job descriptions are irrelevant!

I’ve been offered a job elsewhere, not with the same perks & it doesn’t excite me as much but it is better paid. However I love my current job, my team, the people, & it’s given me confidence where I am flourishing. Just the salary.

What would you do? I’m devastated because it’s the best job I’ve had. Grateful for any advice.

To add - I know what my predecessor entered on 6 years ago & he left in Jan on £44.5k.

And why should I demonstrate ‘going the extra mile’ when the same demands haven’t been put on anyone else. And technically, I’ve been doing 2 jobs since December!

If you are doing both jobs for less than he was paid for one job, and are expected to do both at a good standard (which he presumably did) then your employer may be undervaluing you. Don’t move for a job you don’t want - but leverage the fact that you are now in the role and get applying for a new role elsewhere that you do want.

How long have you been employed? You could see a solicitor or union about a tribunal claim for discrimination if you believe you have a comparator to evidence this.

Alternative is vote with your feet.
If you resign, would they offer you more to stay and if they did, would you take it? Perhaps worth a try.

I'd go the extra mile with your new job title and move jobs - they either are taking advantage because they don't rate you or they don't think you have the bottle to leave.
Now you could fight them at a tribunal - then what if you lose and what if you win - could you stay after going into battle - does anyone retain any trust after doing this? Better to use up all that energy and find a better job - you're in no hurry - so make sure it ticks more of the boxes.

Companies always seem to take advantage of the loyal ones

I’ve been with my company 6 years now I’m sure I get paid less than my male counterparts but it’s forbidden to talk about salary and we aren’t big enough to need to publish the gender pay gap

I hear you. Whilst it wasn’t a dream role, it is a stepping stone to it but it was the privilege to work for the business - a org that represents my hobby/passion which is why it makes hard to take.

My other qualm is the new role is a step up in itself - 3rd top position in the company.

@TowelStripes

How long have you been employed? You could see a solicitor or union about a tribunal claim for discrimination if you believe you have a comparator to evidence this.

Alternative is vote with your feet.
If you resign, would they offer you more to stay and if they did, would you take it? Perhaps worth a try.

Over 2 years so I have rights.

There is walking with my feet & I could accept the other job but I won’t ever be excited anywhere else as I am/was at this business 😔

@Lighttunnelahead

I'd go the extra mile with your new job title and move jobs - they either are taking advantage because they don't rate you or they don't think you have the bottle to leave. Now you could fight them at a tribunal - then what if you lose and what if you win - could you stay after going into battle - does anyone retain any trust after doing this? Better to use up all that energy and find a better job - you're in no hurry - so make sure it ticks more of the boxes.

That’s why I do want to leave - show them it’s not ok to treat people like that and as I want to buy a house next year, every penny counts so 1 year I can forgo if I REALLY hate it.

The audacity that a recent report showed Black/Asian women worst affected in the business and despite pointing it out nothing changed!

Don't move for slightly more money to a job that doesn't interest you, just to prove a point.

Yes you're probably right that you deserve more, but will be in a better position to negotiate after a year or so if you've shown your good and the value you.

And if they continue not to compensate you fairly... with the experience under your belt it'll be easier to get another job, hopefully one that interests you.

Do they know you've been offered this other role?

I've managed to get my employers to review my salary (only because it's well below market rate, and they know it) but tbh the only other colleagues I know who've got decent jumps up have got them because they were offered jobs elsewhere and had a foot out the door.

Don't play this card unless you really are prepared to go though. I do think if you let this slide you're setting yourself up as someone who won't push back out of loyalty/resistance to leave. I know, I've been in that boat for ages but I've reached the end of the line.

My employer does exactly the same. I'd never take a promotion with them to get paid well below what a total newbie in to the building would. It's totally wrong.

We even have an HR policy on it. Like if u get promoted u can only go up a certain percentage even if that's still thousands away from what an external candidate would get paid. I do wonder though if ppl fight it and request linked reviews etc.

@TheCraicDealer

Do they know you've been offered this other role?

I've managed to get my employers to review my salary (only because it's well below market rate, and they know it) but tbh the only other colleagues I know who've got decent jumps up have got them because they were offered jobs elsewhere and had a foot out the door.

Don't play this card unless you really are prepared to go though. I do think if you let this slide you're setting yourself up as someone who won't push back out of loyalty/resistance to leave. I know, I've been in that boat for ages but I've reached the end of the line.

Not yet told them. But they already know they’re paying below market average. There’s a difference of £10k between me and the next person - and we’re at the same level. He’s been there longer sure but I argue my job is more complex.

I’m feeling pretty resentful right now & much of it because I really believe in standing up for what’s right. Waiting a year may be good experience wise but the same stipulation isn’t placed on males so why should I wait? Another year of waiting equates to approx £8k in lost earnings - not much but with a house to buy...!

Dh was given a big promotion but no pay rise went form managing a team of about to have 30 to a team of 200 and a massive budget. It happens to men too - some of his colleagues were on £30K a year more for the same job - salaries were a matter of public record - there was no point in moaning - he went elsewhere and got more money than his colleagues. The fight was not worth it, his old boss and his old colleagues are still useful to him - the intact relationships are more useful than being right.

40K for the third top position in the company ? What sort of company is this? Is it a small business of some sort and 'third top' is literally the person below owner and his second in command. I suspect you are some sort of finance person given the information here.

If they don't want to give you a raise now set a deadline by which they will. And if not, walk. It's sad but you can literally only do 2 things. And to stay after being treated so badly will (bearing a change in management) mean your salary for the foreseeable future stagnates because they know tney can get away with it.

jobs come and go.... in fact you may one day return on a higher salary

I'd move. Stay on excellent terms with them. Do your job brilliantly until you leave and explain that your only reason for leaving is that you need to be paid the market value for your work. Then if a position comes up with them later, you can apply for it.

That's the only real way to show them they can't get away with treating people like this.

You need to move on. Internal promotions will rarely give you what you deserve, and many companies like yours, will pay as little as possible and expect you to be grateful.

I had the same thing happen last year. I ended up leaving for a 45% pay rise, and no extra responsibility. It was hard, because like you I loved my job and colleagues, but I couldn't stay where I wasn't appreciated.

Don't take the job you don't want. Wait for a job that you really do want.

It’s only £4K and please it’s nothing to do with being female and/or asian.

Approach your current employer, get the increase due to the new job offer, if not, move. You don’t know what the new job is like... so either find another or wait it out.

I would move on but not to the other job. I would keep looking. The right thing will come up.

See this promotion for what it is; a step up, more responsibility, better job title and slight payrise. All this will give you leverage for your next move. For the time being, you are better to just get on with it and drop the resentment. There is every chance they will have to recruit an external person on more money to fill your job so they will lose out in the long run.