Job Advice Please

jessicamb

Hi

Sorry if this is in the wrong place but I could do with a bit of advice.

I'm in a team of 5 at work where one person has recently left. Its a flat structure but people in the team have varying levels of experience (its in finance so there are people qualified/part qualified/qualified by experience). Essentially everybody does a similar job supporting different areas of the business - there are no particular differences in skills/knowledge required for any of the roles.

Anyway - somebody left and the advert is now out for the new person - at 6-10k more than I am currently earning! Now I'm not being taken for a fool if thats the going rate. The advert required somebody who is qualified or at the latter stages of studying (and I'm at the final stage but not taken any exams yet). There is nothing in the advert that I am not currently doing in this role either.

What do I do about it? I'd like to get a wage rise in line with this but I'm not sure how to go about it in the best manner - any ideas?

rubytuesday

Are you in a union as they would be in the best bet I imagine you aren't or I expect you would have contacted them already. Solicitors specializing in employment law might help. I believe it is illegal to be doing exactly the same job as someone else and be paid less.

K9cuddles

Ooo.. this is a toughie. I work for a life office and we had the same problem, to get people in the door they were getting paid more then the current staff for do exactly the same job. All ended up it had to go to our work Union and the problem was sorted, but I hear it happens quiet often, but 10k!! These were more like 2k difference.

Do you get regular pay reviews etc?? When are they next due? Maybe mention it to a manager, you could always apply for the job to prove a point!!!;)

bristol_pilot

You could simply ask your boss if you could apply for the job and see what he/she says. If not, ask why not and challenge the response. Sometimes organisations make the mistake of seeking someone similar to the person who has left, rather than sitting down and considering what the requirements of the job are and what attributes the ideal candidate should have. Be prepared to tell him/her why you should be considered.

Or there could be more to it than that. Are you being paid less than the others for similar work even though you have similar qualifications and experience and, if so, are you the only female in the group (or the only male)? If so, you could have a case for sex discrimination - talk to your union. Take professional advice before acting.

Good luck.

jessicamb

Hi

Thanks all - there is no union in place so I cant go down that road.

I like the idea about applying for the job - I could show the ad to my boss and ask to apply!

In_Search_Of_Me

Why not apply; if you're pretty much doing the job, are on the way to qualifications and enjoy it why not? Nowt to loose & oodles of money to gain! Check before you apply that you have (or on the way to) the skills/experience/qualifications they want & also think what you will do if you dont get the job - ie will you feel you have to leave or would you feel happy to stay there regardless? Good luck!!

jessicamb

Thanks FF

I think I'll speak to the powers that be next week and show them the ad (I've just re-read it and it is exactly the same as the job I do now). I'll be prepared for plenty of waffle but you never know - if you dont ask you dont get.

In terms of staying/going I dont really want to leave but if they're diddling me out of 6k+ a year I'll certainly be on the look out for new opportunities

Thanks everyone for your advice.

Molanole

Definitely go for the job. There's nothing to stop internal candidates applying and in some organisations they are duty bound to interview all internal candidates regardless of whether they meet the shortlisting requirements or not.

If your boss is reluctant to put you forward then ask for feeback. This might give you an indication as to why you are not being paid the going rate. If there's no genuine reason for not paying you the going rate then you can ask for a salary review based on market rate comparisons.

Go for it girl!!

beanielou

Best of luck
That it a very big differential me thinks

jessicamb

Thanks All

I'm off to dig out my old job description now and pick out all the 'added responsibility' since then. Hopefully this should help!

Sallys_Savings

Good Luck!!!!

Just being curious....was the job previously done by a man?