Grievance? bullying? not really sure...

lucky_me_2

I wondered if someone could give me advice on the issue below - I will try to make it as short as I possibly can, I also won't mention who I am employed by but I am a public sector worker.

When I started my role in my current employment I had some problems with my wages and one of my colleagues (same pay band as me) offered some help - in order to help me I showed her my payslip - in confidence. I got the problem resolved but I noticed that comments were made directly to me from this colleague about how I should do certain things because I am paid more than they are (I am paid higher up on the payscale of this band) I would also like to add that I am considerably younger than my colleagues. I took it with a pinch of salt and thought this may just be jokey - anyway the next few months another colleague made a comment about me being paid more than the said colleague - I asked how she knew I was paid more money and she lied to me by saying that I had mentioned it before (I would NEVER mention how much money I am paid to ANYONE) so I know this is a cover up.
So obviously the first colleague has been telling people (at least 1 person) how much money I am earning and they have obviously expressed their unhappiness about this.

This colleague often makes snidey remarks about my work or other work related things and I'm not sure how to take it? I do feel as though she is discriminating against me because I am younger than her and paid more - i have made a comment back once that it was not me who decided what I would be paid when commencing employment but my boss!

Should I speak to HR about this? Do I have a leg to stand on because I showed my wage slip to my colleague, or even if I did should she have kept it to herself?

I think I may have left it too late to do anything about as this happened around September 2011.

To make things more complicated the colleague who saw my wage slip has since been given a 'promotion' and is now paid a band higher than me! - I've been told by one colleague the reason behind this was that she had a grievance against my pay? I can't understand why she would? It's not about age it's about experience and I may well have just had more experience, plus they matched my wage from previous employment.

Sorry if this is long winded, I would be so grateful for views/opinions on where I stand or if I should just get on and ignore this?

cockaleekee

You need to put all the background aside, what exactly has she said to you? "Snidey comments" that could be seen as feedback, or outright rude?

If you are going to make a complaint against her you need evidence - perhaps start keeping a diary, noting what happened and when, and if anyone else was about at the time.

asdf1982

showing her your wage slip was a sackable offence, don't make a complaint or it could come back on you

ValHaller

asdf1982 wrote: »

showing her your wage slip was a sackable offence, don't make a complaint or it could come back on you

In some workplaces, it might be sackable. But it is not universal and should not be assumed to be the case without some evidence for the specific workplace.

lucky_me_2

I don't really want to post exactly what has been said - due to the fact that it will give away what I do as a job and certain things that may identify me - that may sound silly but if it's something that I do eventually go to HR about then it may effect how it is dealt with.

I have basically been told that I 'should be' doing the more important jobs because I am higher up on the band than her..(despite our job descriptions and job titles being the same and we are paid on the same band - meaning the same responsibilities - just that she has to progress up the band in years and I am already closer to the top due to my previous job/experience/skills)

When I say snidey I just mean nasty hurtful comments about my work/behaviour or what SHE expects of me.

I have started keeping a diary but I did wonder where I stand with her discussing my wages with colleagues as to me I see it as she is trying to turn people against me.

lucky_me_2

So showing my wage slip to someone who has offered help is a sackable offence? It seems unfair though that a colleague should be allowed to discuss what I earn? Especially they originally offered to help me out? Was that just to be nosey regarding my wages, maybe i'm too nice but i'd never discuss anything that i'd been told/shown in confidence unless I felt it was absolutely necessary and would benefit that person.

asdf1982

yes. i used to work at a large company and this is what we were told at induction. if you tell anyone what you are paid it could lead to dismissal. it was the same situation that everyone was on different salaries

lucky_me_2

I didn't realise that it could lead to dismissal however I do understand I suppose I should not have shown my wage slip to anyone as that can cause them to be annoyed (as i've found out), with being new I didn't realise that she was obviously paid less money than me.

Maybe it's time to just get out of there because the comments and remarks are unbearable.

asdf1982

ValHaller wrote: »

In some workplaces, it might be sackable. But it is not universal and should not be assumed to be the case without some evidence for the specific workplace.

i know what you mean but if you're not sure i wouldnt want to go to hr and say outright "i showed someone my payslip". To me its not a risk worth taking. if things are that bad the OP might be better looking for somewhere else to work long term

I did make a complaint against bullying and the person responsible got a warning but they still worked there and although they backed off some of his friends started making nasty comments etc i dont think any good can come of it

lucky_me_2

asdf1982 wrote: »

i know what you mean but if you're not sure i wouldnt want to go to hr and say outright "i showed someone my payslip". To me its not a risk worth taking. if things are that bad the OP might be better looking for somewhere else to work long term

I did make a complaint against bullying and the person responsible got a warning but they still worked there and although they backed off some of his friends started making nasty comments etc i dont think any good can come of it

This is partly why I have not done anything about the situation, as I could make a complaint but I do not see how it will change anything. My boss and the said colleague get on very well and if anything I feel it may just make things even icier. I have been searching for new jobs and think that the best option is to just leave the place.

Funky_Bold_Ribena

lucky_me wrote: »

I didn't realise that it could lead to dismissal however I do understand I suppose I should not have shown my wage slip to anyone as that can cause them to be annoyed (as i've found out), with being new I didn't realise that she was obviously paid less money than me.

Maybe it's time to just get out of there because the comments and remarks are unbearable.

I think I would just smile and tell them that if they have any issues about the tasks my boss gives me, to see the boss. And I would probably tell them that I could offer them training in negotiating skills, for a small fee, after hours.