Pay Equality (Legal Question)

doddy550

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice.

I have worked in a family-run business for the past 4 years. During my time there I have progressed from Customer Service, to Dispenser to Technician. Each role more senior than the last. It's worth qualifying that by saying, that each position change is driven by studying and passing of examination board and therefore gaining qualifications.

Today I've discovered, through volunteered conversation with a junior dispenser, that I am being paid the same amount per hour as the dispenser. Consider that my job title carries more responsibility and has a higher level of qualification. It's also important to consider that had I still have been a dispenser, I would be being paid less.

The tenure of the dispenser is 1 year, compared to my 4 years.

Is this discrimination of any kind?? It's important to note, at this point, that the dispenser is good friends of the manager of the store.

Please help...

DevCoder

The "friends" part is not important at all.

An employer can pay you what they see fit (over here at least), as long as it is minimum wage or above. Quite often longer term employees are behind the market going rate for their job, the usual catchup means is normally only by getting another job at the same level.

tonyh66

unfortunately they can pay you what they want to, and pay some lesser mortals more, It has happened to me, employers will walk all over you if you let them.
My advice, politely ask about a payrise while looking for another job worthy of your qualifications where they will pay you what you are worth.

doddy550

Please excuse me for speaking (or rather typing) out of line, but could you validate that with any legal knowledge, or is that an opinion?

Daedalus

Are you the same sex as the dispenser?

doddy550

Daedalus wrote: »

Are you the same sex as the dispenser?

No.

Forgive me for being vague. I don't want this to have any effect, should it be seen by my employers. Unlikely, I know. But just in case.

Uncertain

doddy550 wrote: »

Is this discrimination of any kind?? It's important to note, at this point, that the dispenser is good friends of the manager of the store.

No!

Unless you can show that the "discrimination" is for one of the handful of reasons prohibited by law (e.g race, sex, religion etc) it is perfectly legal to pay you less.

The fact that the higher paid person is "friends" is irrelevant.

DevCoder

doddy550 wrote: »

Please excuse me for speaking (or rather typing) out of line, but could you validate that with any legal knowledge, or is that an opinion?

They're are allowed to pay you what they want and unless you are being discriminated by race/religion/disability then it's perfectly legal.

doddy550

krisdorey wrote: »

They're are allowed to pay you what they want and unless you are being discriminated by race/religion/disability then it's perfectly legal.

That doesn't exactly answer my question. I'm looking more for your qualification.

Daedalus

doddy550 wrote: »

That doesn't exactly answer my question. I'm looking more for your qualification.

Don't take advice from anyone who isn't responsible for its consequences.

Are you underpaid? If so speak to your boss about a pay rise.

DevCoder

Daedalus wrote: »

Don't take advice from anyone who isn't responsible for its consequences.

Are you underpaid? If so speak to your boss about a pay rise.

So whats the point of posting if not for advice (none of which, ie us, would be responsible for the consequences, similarly your advice should be ignored).

You can ask for a pay-rise and it's not a bad suggestion, but then you must also consider rocking the boat. Someone who isn't paying a staff member based on their qualification might bite off their nose to spite their face.

In short OP, unless you can prove you lower pay is due to sex/religion/race/disability discrimination then it is perfectly legal.

It might not be what you want hear but that's the case.