Advice Needed - New starter salary considerably more than other staff

SandC

Badger_Lady wrote: »

I found this out afterwards but it's a true tale.

Couple of jobs ago, I started at a new company working in a team of six employees. Just before I started, the other four who were doing the same job found out that I'd been offered a much higher wage (how they found out, I've no idea).

They discussed it between themselves and approached the boss en masse, expressing how upset they were. All of those employees were then awarded payrises to match mine.

Happy team

I was actually going to say badger lady that she could be doing them all a huge favour. Handled properly it could have a very good outcome like yours.

rachelj121

Thank you to everyone who has offered advice. As I said before we just wondered if this was something that you could discuss as a valid case with management/ HR and where we would stand/ how to approach it the right way without the lengths of leaving.

As it happens a couple of representatives from the team spoke to our Manager today so that it did not feel like we were all 'attacking' her. She had no idea this salary was offered as she does not personally set them - further more she was rather shocked as she herself is not even on that salary! This is another case of someone who has worked their way up over 10+ years slightly increasing their basic each year who has not been given the 'market rate' when taking on a new role/ responsibilities.

It has now been discussed with our UK Manager, HR and has been escalated as a concern to our European Manager who does actually believe this is not acceptable (quite a nice surprise). It is going to be discussed further on Monday so we shall see - I do wonder though how far it would have gone had out Manager not also been affected.. but it is being taken seriously at a high level which is great)

Thank you again for sharing your experiances and thoughts (even the brutally honest ones). They have been much appreaciated.

ohreally

Bobl wrote: »

And I personally do not advocate joining a union, all that does is guarantee that everyone will earn a pittance

Para 1.1 http://www.tuc.org.uk/extras/unionadvantage.pdf

Fire_Fox

If you wait until the new starter actually starts to approach management it will either look like (a) the new starter has been indiscreet or (b) you have taken against her/ bullying. Approach management now and politely ask what the reasoning is, if they say qualifications or experience accept it and check this out when she starts. A very different kettle of fish to demanding a payrise.

purple12

When I started my job, I was on a higher salary and better terms and conditions than other employees at the same grade and with the same qualifications. There had been some whispering about it as I had negotiated up a part of my contract in order to meet what I was getting in my previous job and to ensure I didn't lose out as a result of the move (I didn't get a pay rise just a maintenance of current pay and terms and conditions). My first day in the office, I was greeted by a couple of muttered comments and one direct approach. Everyone seemed to know about the different wage etc.

I answered openly to anyone who asked me about my salary etc and told them to take up it (which they did - through the union and they all got the same conditions and pay as me!). I was delighted but I still (4 years later) have a lot more respect for the person that approached me directly.

It wasn't a good position to be put in on first day of a job.

System

Oh yes happens in our place to, When I started the starting wage was about £13K, they discovered they couldn't get anyone to work for it apart from di*k head here So now new recruits with 0 experience start on around £14.5K, we kicked up a fuss, but nothing happened.

FATBALLZ

If she's being paid more, its most likely because her skills are worth more on the jobs market than yours. This is how it works. It's also quite possible she was earning the same as you and moved company to get what she was worth. If you do not have the ambition to do the same do not blame her.

It's a common myth that working at the same company for decades makes you more skilled and valuable - it actually shows a lack of ambition, commonly gives you a narrow perspective of your industry and is typical of somebody stuck in a rut. Nothing wrong with this, but don't expect to be rewarded for your lack of effort.

FATBALLZ

rachelj121 wrote: »

It has now been discussed with our UK Manager, HR and has been escalated as a concern to our European Manager who does actually believe this is not acceptable (quite a nice surprise). It is going to be discussed further on Monday so we shall see - I do wonder though how far it would have gone had out Manager not also been affected.. but it is being taken seriously at a high level which is great)

Just read this bit, and I have to say I hope I never work with somebody like you. This person has come to an agreement with the company, is using it as a basis to gain a tenancy and now you are trying to scupper it.

Will you sleep with a smile on your face when the offer to this person which was fairly negotiated on both sides is revoked and they lose the tenancy, having possibly handed in notice on their previous tenancy and consequently ending up with nowhere to live?

Apolonation

^^^^ What a nonsense senseless post. HR was contacting to confirm salary. The job has already been offered.

Well done for getting your situation looked at hope you get a payrise.

FATBALLZ

Apolonation wrote: »

^^^^ What a nonsense senseless post. HR was contacting to confirm salary. The job has already been offered.

Well done for getting your situation looked at hope you get a payrise.

Job offers can easily be revoked. Please don't post unless you know what you're talking about.