Pay Equality...Same Job Advertised For More Money

Blissikins

My husband has been employed at the same company for over four years. A position in exactly the same role as his is being advertised by the company with a salary that is a minimum of £1500 more per year (basic salary) than he is paid. So someone new to the role would be doing exactly the same job as he is (possibly as his shift partner), but for £1.5k more/year than he is earning after four years.

Current staff have been told that there is no way they will be getting a pay rise, and they cannot apply for the position at the higher rate of pay as they wouldn't be selected for interview.

Is this legal? If not, who he would complain to about it? He's found lots online about pay equality relating to age/gender, but nothing that seems relevant to this situation.

TYIA

Armorica

Is the pension/benefits package the same?

stevemLS

Yes it's legal, there is no law to say that people doing the same job must be paid the same, unless any difference is founded on an equality protected characteristic.

getmore4less

They will have to pay more to get the new people as others walk.

IF they are having to pay more to get people then there will be other places offering that level of money.

FBaby

Despite the role being the same, maybe they are looking for people with better skills to carry it out. A bit like increment when two people can have the same job description but one has more years experience so earns more.

Better skills is not always just a question of more experience.

ohreally

Blissikins wrote: »

A position in exactly the same role as his is being advertised by the company with a salary that is a minimum of £1500 more per year (basic salary) than he is paid. So someone new to the role would be doing exactly the same job as he is (possibly as his shift partner), but for £1.5k more/year than he is earning after four years.

Current staff have been told that there is no way they will be getting a pay rise, and they cannot apply for the position at the higher rate of pay as they wouldn't be selected for interview.

He needs to consider getting unionised and organised.

Southend1

ohreally wrote: »

He needs to consider getting unionised and organised.

Agreed. Individually he has next to no bargaining power but together with his colleagues they would be in a much stronger position to address this.

Perhaps he is already a union member? If so he should talk to his workplace rep.

amiehall

If that's the going rate for the role, then maybe he could consider looking to move elsewhere. Once he has another concrete offer, if he really wants to stay then perhaps they would consider upping his pay at that point as it saves a lot of hassle.

hcb42

I think I would be asking my line manager why there is a difference and understanding the reasons (if valid i.e. looking for better experience) or negotiating...

ohreally

hcb42 wrote: »

I think I would be asking my line manager why there is a difference and understanding the reasons (if valid i.e. looking for better experience) or negotiating...

Given

Blissikins wrote: »

Current staff have been told that there is no way they will be getting a pay rise, and they cannot apply for the position at the higher rate of pay as they wouldn't be selected for interview.

What makes you believe the employer would be up for explaining/ justifying themselves to employees who are not valued?

Gavin83

Think it's time to start looking for another job if it bothers him that much.