Salary Grievance

antcav

Hi all,

I'm a bit stuck, hence the post... I have put together a case as I have found out that a male colleague was hired to do the same job that I do for about £10k more and at each appraisal I am getting better grading (yes i work for an american company!).

I raised the brief outline to an employment lawyer, who couldn't take it further due to a conflict of interest (one of her clients is my employer) but she did say that it seems that there could be a good case.

I've never done this before (although I should have in previous role) and i'm not sure of the next steps. I do work in the city and have a good salary, but am still working off paying £45k of credit card debts that I ran up (down to £20k - getting there) so I can't afford a huge tribunal type thing.

Would the Citizens Advice Bureau be able to give advice as to what to write? Or could I get this from other sources? I have also found the number for Acas - are they the correct people to speak to to find out whether I have a genuine claim?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!
Thanks

antcav

Hi Tom,

I found out directly from the horses mouth after a few beers.... He's a good guy so i don't want to get him in the p**.

I am actually moving onto pastures new and am currently working my three month notice and therefore I'm not too worried about being managed out.

Are there any other repercussions I should consider before doing anything?

I also agree that it could well be he negotiated a better deal than I did so I am still not sure....

Any ideas??

Mark_h_4

If you're already leaving what exactly are you wanting to achive? I dont understand what outcome you are expecting I very much doubt they would back date any pay and I cant see being awarded a payout. If they had a higher starting pay that would explain it. He might be in one of those situations where they cant just simply reduce his pay?

DVardysShadow

tomjonesrules wrote: »

Whilst asserting your rights should be applauded, in many industries you would instead be seen as a troublemaker.

Then we need more trouble makers rather than discourage those we have.

Mark_h_4

I cant help but think that as the OP is already working their notice its really not worth causing that much hassel and more looking forward toward the new challenge ahead. You have already said that you cant really afford it.

antcav

Hi all,

That's exactly my concern as I don't want this to sully my reputation in the industry - and it is a close knit one! I do want to raise something as I managed this guy for the last year and it's wrong on so many levels!

I suppose my key question would be whether ACAS would be the correct entity to advise me whether this would be a prudent course of action?

Thanks
Antonia

bap98189

On what grounds are you looking to sue them? It's not illegal to offer different people salaries for doing the same job, in fact salary negotiation is a standard part of the recruitment process in many jobs.

If you are considering claiming sex discrimination then the fact the other person is of the opposite sex is not enough. They may well be able to cite perfectly good reasons why the two of you were offered different salaries. As others have said, if you are leaving anyway, you would be best advised to forget about this.

System

It may well be the case that he negotiated a good deal when he was hired. If you have been in the job a few years then have you pushed for pay rises or just gone with the flow, resulting in the difference.

LadyMissA

Would it bother you if it was the other way round? Surely you both negotiated your own salary and if they choose to pay him more and you do the same job it may not be fair but it's the way it goes surely in the private sector.

Mark_h_4

DVardysShadow wrote: »

Then we need more trouble makers rather than discourage those we have.

I dont see that doing it as you are leaving is the right time though?

"Hey im not being paid enough" "Oh okay here some cash" "Thanks oh by the way im leaving bye" "WHY YOU LITTLE ****"

DVardysShadow

tomjonesrules wrote: »

The OP needs to be able to earn a living, and asserting her rights could cause severe detriment to her career. Anyone taking such a route needs to take that into account, a moral (or indeed legal) victory will not pay the bills.

You are so... one dimensional.

Once people fear to assert their rights, then there will be no rights.