Lied to about pay increase - there's nothing I can do is there?

[WelshCakes1]

I'll try and keep this brief 🤣

I had a horrible and traumatic time in my personal life last year (relevant).

During my performance review my manger said that he was very impressed that I kept professional and that none of my clients would have picked up on what was happening outside of work. He said he'd discussed it with head office who agreed and therefore I would get 'more' than the rest of the team. - this was entirely out of the blue and not expected so of course I was pleased.

My final evaluation was 'exceeded expectations' - manager again mentioned I'd get more than the team.

Got told my bonus and pay rise (very unexceptional) but again got told it was more than the rest of the team so to keep it to myself.

There's 3 of us in the team. Now as happens, the other 2 have separately told me what they received.

*collegue 1 got a larger pay rise and slightly smaller (10%) bonus than me (the higher pay rise would amount to more than the lower bonus)

*collegue 2 got a larger pay rise and the same bonus as me.

In no sense have I got 'more'

I didn't expect it, until TM made such a song and dance about how well I'd performed and how head office recognised it so would be reflected in higher compensation than the rest of the team. Now I feel like I've been lied to and made a fool out of.

But we're strictly not allowed to discuss salary or bonus. There's nothing I can do but quietly seethe is there??

A friend in a low paid job (large organisation) was telling me one colleague is known to be paid more than everyone else (and they have expenses paid which is not routine practise) but the managers are very strict about staff discussing pay. I bet they are so they can continue to pay majority the very bare minimum.

@SlipSlidinAway · Today 08:50
@Greenfairydust - erm I did read it correctly thank you. My question still stands.''

Obviously you haven't...or you would not be asking silly questions.

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=9a4fc90d-f478-4b75-88a0-713c6bd6c219

@Greenfairydust - why is it a silly question? And why are you being so rude?

What is unreasonable about asking the op whether there may have been some misunderstanding/miscommunication - either between the line manager and op, or between the line manager and Head Office? I ask that because I cannot see what bearing someone's personal circumstances - however sad - have on their eligibility for a pay rise 🤷‍♀️.

If you had two people doing exactly the same job and performing to exactly the same standard, would it be fair if one of them was paid more because they'd maintained their high standard whilst battling with bereavement, illness etc in their private life? I think not.

They can’t stop you discussing pay. Companies that have this policy, know they can’t enforce it or discipline anyone for it. They just hope people are scared enough to abide by it.

I used to work at head office for a large supermarket who had this policy. My manager threatened me with it disciplinary action when it turned out they lied to me about the pay scale. I told him to try it, then went to HR and sought outside legal advice and I received an apology and the correction of pay, which was back dated.

Managers do our. It happens. Some are dicks. Or the person who got the higher pay and same bonus may have negotiated for more, after the discussion with you. Even when employers say it’s non negotiable, it usually is. You would need to find out the circumstances around it.

When you do, I would absolutely challenge what your manager told you.

I was in a similar situation but I was lied to about my contract change. I accepted a counter offer and had the whole thing in writing but my contract was never changed, and dispite having the proposed change in writing HR claimed the conversation "never happened" (in reality my CTO vetoed the change, though HR decided to not tell me that, because they knew admitting anything put them in a bad spot legally).
I can't tell you what to do, but I left and found a job with the contract I wanted

I was paid the lowest in a company full of men and was more qualified than most with years more experience. I know this because they'd frequently discuss money out loud in the office.

Of course, I was the only one made redundant.