Should I stay or should I go?

BunnieJ

Morning Everyone!

You may have seen me lurking around the forums asking about issues about a month ago:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4918646

TL;DR - two new receptionists getting paid £17.5k for doing the same job as me at £13.7k

At the time I was really angry/upset and in the end decided to confront the head receptionist about it. She said she was also suprised when she saw the salary, but was told by our big boss that it was a standard starting contract for their new staff and he couldn't do anything. She must have then spoken to him because he took me aside and said the same thing to me.

So, as everything was up in the air since the transfer, I decided to leave it and try and bump up my hours for some extra money and look for a job elsewhere.

My jobsearch has been to no avail thus far, so I've stopped looking and instead decided to make do with the job I'm in (people I work with are all lovely and I've just got settled and made friends after relocation to Bristol from London) and maybe go back to school in my spare time. However, as I'm quite low paid, I can't afford to do this as all my money is spent on living costs!

It's just ended up with me never having any money, feeling like c**p when I get home from work, but at the same time settled and not wanting to have to start all over again somewhere new

Yesterday I was visiting an old friend with my OH and she said that I should give my manager an ultimatum: either you pay me the same rate as the other receptionists or I leave.

I'm the only full-time receptionist and I would have them over a barrell with the threat of leaving (she thinks). To my complete suprise, my OH then says he agrees and he would be willing to support the both of us until I found another job if my company weren't willing to negotitate :eek:

The problem is I'm not the type of person to go in, guns blazing and demand a pay increase. I don't want to be seen as a 'trouble maker'. Also, I don't want to throw away a perfectly acceptable job without another lined up! Judging by my recent job searches there's not alot out there atm!


I've got no idea what I should do! :undecided

Tiddlywinks

No. Stick it out until you find something better.

This is a bit more complicated than those options suggest though isn't it? I remembered your previous long thread on the 'families' board.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4948229

You say that you have already been looking for another job but to no avail... What will leaving now accomplish? How will you explain that on your cv?

You've also had arguments with your BF about money so can you really rely on him to support you through the long haul?

You need to figure out what you want from life, what is realistic for you and then plan for the future... there appears to be more going on than 'I don't get paid the going rate, should I move on....'.

cherryblossomzel

Managers do not look kindly on being extorted. I personally would never give an employer an ultimatum. Even if you "win" it could lead to a terrible relationship between you and your boss and other employees if they find out. Also, no-one is irreplaceable, they might well invite you to pack your bags, and then you're out of a job entirely.

I do think it is unfair that you should get paid less than somone else who does the same job. Do the other receptionists have different responsibilities to you? You were told that this is their standard salary for new starters. Did they tell you when you could expect a raise? I would schedule a meeting with your manager and calmly discuss your options. Find out what you can do to get the raise. Stay professional.

If that fails, find another job.

BunnieJ

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

This is a bit more complicated than those options suggest though isn't it? I remembered your previous long thread on the 'families' board.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4948229

You say that you have already been looking for another job but to no avail... What will leaving now accomplish? How will you explain that on your cv?

You've also had arguments with your BF about money so can you really rely on him to support you through the long haul?

You need to figure out what you want from life, what is realistic for you and then plan for the future... there appears to be more going on than 'I don't get paid the going rate, should I move on....'.

The arguement about money with my OH (which has now been resolved), my grievance with my previous manager about incorrect pay and now this...

It seems that most of my problems have stemmed from this job

I've never worked in a job that's been this poorly paid. I think it's definately realistic to want to be paid the same rate as my colleagues who do the same job as me. If the going rate for receptionists in my company is £17.5k, then that' swhat I should be earning. I know I'm worth more than what I'm being paid for.

I am worried about how this will look on my CV. 7 months into a new job and leaving doesn't look good. However, I think I have a valid reason for wanting to leave as we were taken over by another company and it's not working out.

Managers do not look kindly on being extorted. I personally would never give an employer an ultimatum. Even if you "win" it could lead to a terrible relationship between you and your boss and other employees if they find out. Also, no-one is irreplaceable, they might well invite you to pack your bags, and then you're out of a job entirely.

I do think it is unfair that you should get paid less than somone else who does the same job. Do the other receptionists have different responsibilities to you? You were told that this is their standard salary for new starters. Did they tell you when you could expect a raise? I would schedule a meeting with your manager and calmly discuss your options. Find out what you can do to get the raise. Stay professional.

If that fails, find another job.

I agree with you. It's my friend/partner who seem to think otherwise. They think I'm selling myself short and being walked all over by my manager.

I was thinking of scheduling a meeting and asking for a pay review. But, I'm hopeless at all of this kind of stuff! The last time I had the opportunity to say something I was given a bunch of excuses by my manager and just accepted them and didn't push the point further. As you've mentioned, I didn't want to "win" but cause a horrible atmosphere at work!

We've effectivly been taken on on our old contracts, but now get paid by the new company. They've obviously seen what we get paid and though "Get in!" as they don't have to pay us their going rate which is a lot more.

martinthebandit

You missed my preferred option,

Ask your Boss for a pay rise and also say to him 'I will understand if you feel you cannot give me a rise but are you happy if I put your name down as a reference?'

Tiddlywinks

No. Stick it out until you find something better.

BunnieJ wrote: »

The arguement about money with my OH (which has now been resolved), my grievance with my previous manager about incorrect pay and now this...

It seems that most of my problems have stemmed from this job

I've never worked in a job that's been this poorly paid. I think it's definately realistic to want to be paid the same rate as my colleagues who do the same job as me. If the going rate for receptionists in my company is £17.5k, then that' swhat I should be earning. I know I'm worth more than what I'm being paid for.

I am worried about how this will look on my CV. 7 months into a new job and leaving doesn't look good. However, I think I have a valid reason for wanting to leave as we were taken over by another company and it's not working out.

It's like anything... the 'value' is determined by the market. If the company is able to get someone to work for £x then why would they pay more?

It's nothing personal, it's a business decision.

Leaving because of this, with no other job to go to, is not the most sensible thing you could do.

ETA, the argument with your BF over money was not caused by the job... it was caused by circumstances and personalities.

BunnieJ

You missed my preferred option,

Ask your Boss for a pay rise and also say to him 'I will understand if you feel you cannot give me a rise but are you happy if I put your name down as a reference?'

HAHA! That's pretty much what my OH/friend said yesterday! There have been times in this job I've been fraustrated/angry enough to want to do this!

It's nothing personal, it's a business decision.

I know it's not personal, but how can I sit back and let my colleagues be paid significantly more than me while I struggle on a lower wage?

Leaving because of this, with no other job to go to, is not the most sensible thing you could do.

I agree. I don't really want to leave until I have something else lined up, but my company are taking the p**s really!

Ozzuk

If you leave, and you've already said you're struggling to find a job, you'll be unemployed for potentially months. You'll also likely start bottom of the rung somewhere else so you should factor in loss of earnings and decide if its really worth it if you like the job/people. You could go somewhere else, get more money and hate it.

That said, I'm a great advocate of changing if you aren't happy and I left a pretty good job with BA years ago for a similar reason. I was lucky enough to be employed days later though.

I guess, overall I'd say be polite, be professional, explain you feel aggrieved at the new level and you love working there but you are being placed in a position that you will need to look for a new employer. It gives them the chance to do something about it without them feeling too defensive.

Good luck!

One other thing - are they permanent salaried staff? If they are just contract then they will get a higher rate to reflect lower on-costs and reduced security.

Starlet

No. Stick it out until you find something better.

If I were in your shoes, I really wouldn't leave. It's really difficult trying to get a job. For me, personally, when I keep getting rejected it affects my confidence and brings me down

Perhaps just take annual leave on some Fridays (only take half a day off) and go for job interviews during those times.

BunnieJ

Ozzuk wrote: »

If you leave, and you've already said you're struggling to find a job, you'll be unemployed for potentially months. You'll also likely start bottom of the rung somewhere else so you should factor in loss of earnings and decide if its really worth it if you like the job/people. You could go somewhere else, get more money and hate it.

That said, I'm a great advocate of changing if you aren't happy and I left a pretty good job with BA years ago for a similar reason. I was lucky enough to be employed days later though.

I guess, overall I'd say be polite, be professional, explain you feel aggrieved at the new level and you love working there but you are being placed in a position that you will need to look for a new employer. It gives them the chance to do something about it without them feeling too defensive.

Good luck!

One other thing - are they permanent salaried staff? If they are just contract then they will get a higher rate to reflect lower on-costs and reduced security.

As I said before, it's not the best idea in the world for me to leave now. I'd much rather have something else to go to before I quit. I don't mind starting at the bottom of the ladder in a company, at least their is a chance of career progression. I won't be applying for reception work, you never get off it! It's a career in itself rather than the step to something better!

I sort of want to have a polite chat with my manager and see if we can work something out, but I don't want to be seen as a pushover either. I'm terrible at these things!

As far as I'm aware they are on a salary. They work 5 hours more than me (I only work 35 hrs) so obviously I would earn less than £17.5k if I was put on the same rate as them, but we would all be on the same rate for doing the same job!

Perhaps just take annual leave on some Fridays (only take half a day off) and go for job interviews during those times.

When I'm on the earlier shift I can be home by 3pm, so I'm going to use this time for job hunting/interviews.

Tiddlywinks

No. Stick it out until you find something better.

BunnieJ wrote: »

HAHA! That's pretty much what my OH/friend said yesterday! There have been times in this job I've been fraustrated/angry enough to want to do this!

the phrase 'easier said than done' is popular for a reason.

I know it's not personal, but how can I sit back and let my colleagues be paid significantly more than me while I struggle on a lower wage?

if you're struggling now, how much worse will it be without any monthly pay packet? You won't be able to claim JSA either as you would have resigned

I agree. I don't really want to leave until I have something else lined up, but my company are taking the p**s really!

Look, let's be realistic, you've been looking for another job without success... not a strong position really. Keep looking - but don't jump too soon and end up unemployed... that's just not financially sensible.