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Original poster

Colleague with the same job gets more pay

28 replies

loopyb · 20/12/2022 16:05

I've just found out that a colleague with the same role has negotiated a higher starting salary. I'm more experienced in the role and take on more responsibility as a result.

Is it appropriate for me to raise that I've found this out and I'd like my pay to be raised? Or would this be frowned upon?

Any advice on how to approach this appreciated!

OP posts:
Whataretheodds · 20/12/2022 16:10

Do your research into comparable salaries in the market for the same responsibility as you. And argue it that way.

Check out
Herfirst100k on instagram for negatiation tips (there might ne a $ in there) - Tori Dunlap

Original poster
loopyb · 20/12/2022 16:22

Thanks @Whataretheodds, problem is we are already paid over the market rate for the same role, by quite a significant amount. So I didn't have any plans to ask for a raise.

I feel like I'm at a bit of a loss in terms of having a strong argument. Other than 'but they're paid more' which just sounds really petty!

OP posts:
YoBeaches · 20/12/2022 16:29

How have you found this out and how much difference are we talking?

pocketvenuss · 20/12/2022 16:33

I would have to find a way to broach the subject. It would eat me up. I would want to know why I was not valued as much especially as you are more experienced

Original poster
loopyb · 20/12/2022 16:44

@YoBeaches we'd been discussing pay bands generally, and they just mentioned it in order to be transparent (I haven't stumbled on it by accident!)

It's about £4k difference so it's not groundbreaking. It just feels unfair.

@pocketvenuss it is eating me up a little!! The thing is my manager really values my work and is very reasonable. So I'm wondering if I can just be completely honest and say I've found out.

OP posts:
AuntieJoyce · 20/12/2022 16:47

Nothing to do with OP’s value to the business and everything to do with a tight labour market which in many industries is leading to high starting salaries. Not really helpful to the OP to suggest otherwise

Original poster
loopyb · 20/12/2022 16:47

To be honest my biggest regret is I probably should have negotiated harder when I started the role. I should have asked for more but I didn't so I now I feel I'm on the back foot despite having more experienceHmm

OP posts:
YoBeaches · 20/12/2022 16:54

Most jobs come with a pay 'range' and you mention a 'band' so it depends if you're non the same range or band.

There is an argument for equal work for equal pay but again that's within the same range and doesn't mean exact same salary.

Original poster
loopyb · 20/12/2022 17:24

@YoBeaches yeah we're on the same band still! He's just higher up within the band.

Do you think it's not worth raising as an issue considering we're not miles apart?

OP posts:
carmenitapink · 20/12/2022 17:28

Are they a lateral hire?

If so, this is quite typical.

Aquasulis · 20/12/2022 17:30

I would raise it - is it a gender gap?

roarfeckingroarr · 20/12/2022 17:31

Pay is based on ability and experience, not just the role.

Itsthewhitehat · 20/12/2022 17:32

If you want a pay rise you should ask for it.

It shouldn’t be based on what someone else gets. If you feel you are worth more than you are currently paid, then do the research and present your case.

If you case is ‘they negotiated better than me and I regret it’ it’s unlikely to work. Concentrate on you.

roarfeckingroarr · 20/12/2022 17:32

I earn significantly more than other people in my team at the same level because I negotiated hard when I joined. It's a bit trickier once you're already there.

Itsnotallblackandwhite · 20/12/2022 17:35

I agree that it shows a gender pay gap, which is probably your starting argument

AriettyHomily · 20/12/2022 17:36

Assuming you're female, women are generally shut at negotiating. Don't frame it as you want the same as him, frame it as you want what you are worth, or leave. Where you are now is paying above market rate for at least two of you, the money must be there.

Original poster
loopyb · 20/12/2022 17:38

carmenitapink · 20/12/2022 17:28

Are they a lateral hire?

If so, this is quite typical.

@carmenitapink what's a lateral hire?

OP posts:
GellerYeller · 20/12/2022 17:39

Definitely would not be happy with someone with fewer responsibilities on more, especially as you say there’s a gender pay issue. If you feel £4k is not groundbreaking, chances are your employer shouldn’t either?

Original poster
loopyb · 20/12/2022 17:42

GellerYeller · 20/12/2022 17:39

Definitely would not be happy with someone with fewer responsibilities on more, especially as you say there’s a gender pay issue. If you feel £4k is not groundbreaking, chances are your employer shouldn’t either?

That's an extremely good point!

Thanks so much everyone. Definitely along the lines of my thinking - needs raising but I'll address it from the perspective that my salary needs to reflect my experience and responsibly better.

I'll think about a plan over Christmas and address it in the new year with my manager.

OP posts:
Rubyfw5 · 20/12/2022 17:50

I found out my male colleague was being paid more than me for the same job when my company did a benchmarking exercise, I got a raise and he didn't. I raised a grievance to the effect that I'd been underpaid for a period. HR agreed and gave me a lump sum pay adjustment that aligned how long he'd been in the job before he got a raise with how long I'd been in it without a raise (I'd been doing the job less time so didn't get it back to the start). I also asked for and got my pension contributions at the better rate for that period, obviously had to pay my own contributions for the same. The key point was that I am female and my colleague is male. HR's decision got us treated equitably. Hope this helps.

TheQueenOfHearts · 20/12/2022 22:43

I would totally raise it!
£4k is not so much that they would be unable to align your salary with coworkers.
However, on the basis you have more responsibilities, I would actually ask for more.
Worst case scenario you get the £4k, but perhaps even more than that.
Don't be afraid of discussing wages with your manager, it's part of their jobs too!

Fandangoes · 20/12/2022 22:47

Good advice on here. I would add, don’t be afraid to mention you know how much he is earning, employers cannot prevent employees from discussing salaries, indeed transparency is required if we are ever going to stop the gender pay gap. If employers are paying fair wages they should have nothing to hide.

YoBeaches · 20/12/2022 23:12

If you are in the same band then it won't likely contribute to gender pay gap stats. And usually salary information is asked to be kept confidential but that's your colleagues issue rather than yours.

I think I would raise it from a " I've been made aware and I'd like my salary to be reviewed based on experience, responsibilities etc I'm feeling undervalued"

good96 · 20/12/2022 23:34

This is very common. I think it’s all about knowing your worth. I think you may have under sold yourself when you joined.

On the other hand. You shouldn’t be discussing individual salaries with colleagues. It is none of any one else’s business.

You could schedule a meeting with your line manager and ask for a pay review based on your performance and the duties you undertake. I wouldn’t mention your colleagues salary though. If they don’t review it or increase, then it is time to move on - just remember to know your worth when it comes to the next role and do your research into the generic salary bandings for the role.

snowlolo · 21/12/2022 11:58

I recently found out that someone I actually line manage is paid more than me.

I was furious and I totally understand where you are coming from, OP. It's very disheartening when the person does not have more responsibility or experience than you.

You should 100% raise it, especially if he is male and you are female (sounds like this is the case), as there is simply no excuse for a gender pay gap when it is such a big and well-known issue at the moment.

Also i don't know what your salary is but to me £4k is not negligible. That's a reasonable chunk of money!

Know your worth and don't take this nonsense from your employer.

My employer have not been very sympathetic, and I know that I am worth more, so I am looking for a new role and looking forward to handing in my resignation. I'd advise you do the same if you are not feeling valued.