if you found out someone was earning more than you

[southeastastra]

for doing the same job, what would/can you do about it?

Not sure really.

Where I used to work the way that pay was decided was on the individual rather than the job, and you weren't allowed to tell anyone else what you were being paid. That said, I know that some people who complained to their manager when they found they were being paid less even though they had more experience, and managed to get pay rises as a result.

What kind of organisation/company is it? What size?

public sector, big. my manager has told me to ask HR as it's not up to her . seems a bit weird to me though.

Is the other person a man? Is it discrimination on grounds of gender/race or any of the other forms that are illegal? If so, contact the Equality Commission...

do you have pay scales?

did you have the opportunity to negotiate your starting salary?

That seems a little odd in the public sector - the only reason I can think of is that if the other person started working there long before you, their annual increments might mean they are now on a higher salary. Or they might be a couple of spinal points higher up the scale than you. If they aren't earning substantially more than you, that would make sense.

oh maybe that's why then effie, they have been there longer than i have, though we are both equally qualified and do the same job. it's not a man.