Pay Scales/Unfair Pay

andygunner

Hi,


I am unhappy with my current pay at work. The reason is that a member of staff at a lower level in the company had a large pay rise last year and his package is:

£29k salary+commission (taking him up to around £38k), plus £400 a month car allowance.

My package is:

£21,500 salary plus small commission (taking me up to £24k) plus £150 a month car allowance.

Obviously I am not supposed to know what this colleague is being paid... I asked for a pay rise in January and was told there is no budget this year for a rise.

I feel this is extremely unfair as this member of staff is lower in the company than me, but obviosuly more popular with the director! Its not like we are talking about a couple of grand, but more like £14-16k.

I have not had a rise in 2 years.

Do I have any legal rights in this respect? Should I confront my boss with the information I have? Info about pay etc is left lying around in exposed places, its not like I have been furrowing through confidential folders when everyone has gone home.

any advice welcome!

gingerdad

I would vote with my feet and get a job elsewhere.

jdturk

unless its unlawful discrimination ie Sex, race etc then no, its tough a company can pay who it wants what it wants. If you don't like it then start looking for a differant job with hopefully better pay!

andygunner

Easier said that done! I have looked for alternative jobs but recruiters have told me those companies with vacancies are only offering the most basic of salaries and looking to take on less experienced staff so they can pay them less and train them up themselves. I would leave tomorrow if there was a good opportunity, but there's just nothing out there.

jdturk

then you'll have to suck it up as they say, its not nice and not fair but keep looking and get out whilst you can

Mini_Bear

If you were to approach your boss with the info you could be put on disciplinary, you would definately sour the relationship with your boss.
In the industry i work in, disclosing or even knowing about colleagues pay is a sackable offense no questions asked. Ignorance is bliss as they say.
Can you not increase your skill set or take professional qualifications in order to make the jump to another firm? Also if the job is commission based can you look to up this to impress your boss?