Should I sign?

[Growingoutthegrey]

Being paid 20% less than colleagues of the same level (I am the best in the team but didn't negotiate on joining). Also colleagues have now left or been moved to other teams, so we're hiring externally to replace.

Requested progression, pay review etc. Worked towards it, now have promotion confirmed and the pay still doesn't match what the rest of the team were on. I requested it to match but this was declined ("we've offered you the market rate" - this isn't market rate!)

The new external hire is being brought in at the higher rate that rest of team were on (company don't know I know this).

In the meantime I've interviewed and hoping for an offer from another company which will be higher, and I intend to take that if offered.

My question: do I sign the new paperwork at existing company, and take the small rise, or will that shoot me in the foot when asking for more in the future (IF I end up staying as no offer comes from the other job)?

I am unclear what paperwork you are being asked to sign? Or how that could affect any future pay discussions.

Do you mean should you sign the new contract to state you have been promoted? if so usual the terms if your awarded higher salary to reflect that you have more responsibility means you can’t argue as new contacts often have the pay award wrote in them. If the company says they have offered you market rate not sure how you can argue for higher future pay as their stance seems pretty clear.

Is the colleague being paid more a different sex?

If you don't feel you can push them any more, and you don't yet have another offer from a new job, do you have an option NOT to sign? I guess the other option is to decline the promotion because you don't feel the salary offered makes the extra work worth it.

Check your hr policies - there should be something about equal pay for equal work. You could use that as a basis for raising a grievance, stating your desired outcome would be a pay rise to reflect your work / length of service / bringing you inline with previous colleagues.

Check your hr policies - there should be something about equal pay for equal work.

Equal pay for work of equal value only has relevance if the OP is paid less than men because she is a woman - or vice versa of course. Even if her "comparator" is a man, that doesn't entitle her to equal pay simply because she is a woman - her comparator(s) may be paid more because they are better negotiators, entered employment on different terms etc.

Thanks all. The paperwork to sign is the new contract, only changes are salary and job title.

I've been doing the job already, they like to see you can do the job before they promote.

I guess I should ask if you see any drawbacks if I do sign, and don't then get the other job? I feel I'm settling for less than I'm worth, which is always a problem when negotiating my next move!

A better job title can go on your cv, so that’s something.

However, on Reddit, the mantra is that a pay rise needs a new job somewhere else. Never rely on the company you work for now to reward you appropriately. (Exceptions do apply, should you be lucky enough).

Technically you don't have to sign. I have never signed a contract. The contract is formed by you doing a job and being paid for it. If you want to sign something, then unless it says that you agree to it all, it is simply acknowledgement that you have received it. And if you wish you can simply cross out any reference to agreeing the terms. .