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Original poster

Upset about salary / should I say something

57 replies

Bambootrees · 09/12/2025 17:12

I recently started a job; and because of my role I see everyone’s salaries. Unfortunately my salary is on the lower end considering my experience and role. It is also part time but I think more could be done if I do full time.

Should I mention something?

I am trying no to compare, be grateful for what I have but it keeps bothering.

OP posts:
Frenchfrychic · 09/12/2025 19:59

Lidre · 09/12/2025 19:23

The company is obliged to pay the same salary for the same work, so if you think people doing the same kind of work as you are paid more, you should ask for your role to be revaluated.

This is not correct there is no such law or obligation. You can’t discrimate, but you absolutely can pay one person more than the other for the same work. Think logically about it. No one salary negotiate, pay scales would be published, of course everyone can be paid different for the same role. Experience prior can be a large dictator of current pay.

Frenchfrychic · 09/12/2025 19:59

Bambootrees · 09/12/2025 19:45

It is only low paid when compared with the other salaries in the company which are on the high end compared to other companies; but perhaps is the sector they are in which I have not worked for before.

Show quote history

Has the other person? Are uou comparing apples with apples?

fiorentina · 09/12/2025 20:03

If you have passed probation and are taking on additional responsibilities I’d ask for an increase. Level of qualification isn’t as relevant as the value you’re providing in your role, so if there are others providing the same value you should be earning a similar amount. What is the bonus structure like though? Potential for that to be a reasonable level?

roshi42 · 09/12/2025 20:04

If the other person is a man or in some other way you have protected characteristics compared to them then the company is leaving themselves wide open to an equal pay claim and they would want to fix the disparity to protect themselves. They’d need to be able to justify why the other person is on more - sounds like that might be hard if they’ve been there 4 months and your roles are genuinely identical.

Original poster
Bambootrees · 09/12/2025 20:11

Haven’t passed probation yet, will give it 6 months and start job hunting again if not possibility of improving.

I was nervous about the job market and took the first job I got offered. Was desperate to leave my previous corporate job.

OP posts:
Ukholidaysaregreat · 09/12/2025 20:30

I think it is fine to bring this up. Those that don't ask, don't get. I would mention this and see what the response is. If nothing changes then start job hunting.

Original poster
Bambootrees · 09/12/2025 20:41

Ukholidaysaregreat · 09/12/2025 20:30

I think it is fine to bring this up. Those that don't ask, don't get. I would mention this and see what the response is. If nothing changes then start job hunting.

Agree. I think my salary should be in line with the rest of the team and the company.

OP posts:
Whatabouterry · 09/12/2025 20:42

You have access to confidential information. It would be hugely unprofessional to use this as any reasoning.
If you have taken on more responsibility than is in your job description then you could reasonably use that as a rationale as to why you would like a pay adjustment to be considered.

Frenchfrychic · 09/12/2025 20:45

Hmm, I think your maybe ignoring the question on how similar you are to th4 college who earns ten k more, as in do they have industry experience. Are you really that similar. If they took you on and you actually had no experience of the sector, it would explain why you started lower. As your learning curve is much steeper.

Redburnett · 09/12/2025 22:20

You have to be brave in salary negotiations when offered a job, and argue the case for the salary you deserve and expect. Sadly I suspect that too many women still do not do this.

Stompingupthemountain · 09/12/2025 22:23

This is why every job ad needs to show the salary and we should all be open about our salaries. Secrecy only leads to people being underpaid.

Stompingupthemountain · 09/12/2025 22:25

Frenchfrychic · 09/12/2025 19:59

This is not correct there is no such law or obligation. You can’t discrimate, but you absolutely can pay one person more than the other for the same work. Think logically about it. No one salary negotiate, pay scales would be published, of course everyone can be paid different for the same role. Experience prior can be a large dictator of current pay.

Show quote history

There should be a law against it.

ScaryM0nster · 09/12/2025 22:28

If your role is being adjusted, then it’s fair to ask for renumeration review as part of that.

However, you must not let it be known that you’ve been accessing sensitive staff data for inappropriate reasons (benchmarking your own salary being a massively inappropriate reason). You need to find a way to have that negotiation without referring to what you know about others.

Original poster
Bambootrees · 10/12/2025 05:48

Thank you all. I need to find a way to bring this up in a professional manner as it is making me feel unhappy and underpaid. My salary is in the 3 bottom lowest in the company and not in line with my experience and responsibilities; and the other two are more junior roles.

There are lots of improvements I can bring to this company and the role because of my experience. I have 3 options:

  1. Ask for my salary to be adjusted to reflect my experience and responsibilities.
  2. Find another job and leave, noone is i indispensable but they will be in trouble and may struggle to find someone with my experience for this role.
  3. Get over it. Not sure how
OP posts:
EleanorReally · 10/12/2025 06:16

i expect you have regular appraisals which include a pay rise

EleanorReally · 10/12/2025 06:16

did they ask for your particular experience?
i mean, you have been there 4 months, you took the role, so something must have appealed to you
the hours, do they suit you?

once1caughtafishalive · 10/12/2025 06:46

Lidre · 09/12/2025 19:23

The company is obliged to pay the same salary for the same work, so if you think people doing the same kind of work as you are paid more, you should ask for your role to be revaluated.

Completely agree with this.

Also, it will cost the company thousands to replace you so no doubt they'd prefer you told them before deciding to leave, so they have chance to sort it.

Is your colleague with similar experience male or female?

EleanorReally · 10/12/2025 07:21

but op has only been there 4 months, is still in probation, and accepted the job offer

Another2356 · 10/12/2025 07:30

It is possible that this falls into the category of indirect discrimination. Essentially, if more of the p/t positions are filled by women and their salaries are typically on the lower end of the scale then it would be considered indirect discrimination. I would approach the issue in a non threatening way…. “I noticed my P/t pro rated salary was very low in comparison to full time equivalents, especially considering my experience, I would like my salary reviewed on this basis as I want to be paid fairly for my work and contribution, please can you make this request for me”…. “No I don’t really want to wait for the next pay review cycle if there is an issue of fairness regarding my pay”.

Another2356 · 10/12/2025 07:33

PS you can’t use data you access as part of your job to justify your request that could get you into trouble, but if you accidentally saw salary info (not as part of your job) or your colleagues share this info then it’s ok to challenge it.

Original poster
Bambootrees · 10/12/2025 07:40

The only discrimination could be that I am the only no English person in the company; but I wont go into that. It is a good company and nice people and bosses.

OP posts:
Original poster
Bambootrees · 10/12/2025 07:46

EleanorReally · 10/12/2025 06:16

did they ask for your particular experience?
i mean, you have been there 4 months, you took the role, so something must have appealed to you
the hours, do they suit you?

I was desperate to move from my corporate role and took the first job I got offer. I really don’t need to work part time for any particular reason.

I will bring this up in a professional manner but if no changes I will look for another job.

They paid a huge fee for my recruitment to the agency; which would have been more if I was full time and on a higher salary.

It will be difficult for them to find someone with my experience for the role and I don’t want to way until end of next year for a salary review.

OP posts:
curious79 · 10/12/2025 07:50

Goodness all these people telling you to suck this up, but this is a gross injustice and why we have an equal pay act. You should be paid the same as people of equivalent experience and job type. This is why employers don’t like people talking about Sally because then they do have to be fair. Now how you go about handling this is another matter! What’s your relationship with your line manager like?

WeirdyBeardyMarrowBabyLady · 10/12/2025 07:52

I think the lesson here is to know your worth in the job market and ensure you negotiate at the time of the offer being made.

If you’ve recently been in the corporate space I expect you will have a good understanding of what the expected remuneration for your skill set and experience is. Next time refuse to accept the job or sign a contract until you are happy that the pay is what you think is fair in all the circumstances.

Original poster
Bambootrees · 10/12/2025 07:54

EleanorReally · 10/12/2025 06:16

i expect you have regular appraisals which include a pay rise

At the end of next year

OP posts: