Being paid less than a co-worker

KazMad

I have just found out I'm being paid less than a colleague (we're both female). She started 3 months after me and is getting 3k a year more for doing EXACTLY the same job as me. What to do?

Carrot007

Some jobs are banded and everyone will be paid the same.

Some jobs are paid on what you negotiate.

You know which type you are in.

KazMad

I guess I have bad negotiating skills then. Possibly time to renegotiate?

Ja7188

You can ask for a raise, but don't hold your breath...

How does her level of past experience compare to yours?

BorisThomson

How long have you been there? Can you put together a business case for a £3K pay rise? You need to demonstrate why you are worth it, "someone else gets paid that much" is not justification.

motorguy

KazMad wrote: »

I have just found out I'm being paid less than a colleague (we're both female). She started 3 months after me and is getting 3k a year more for doing EXACTLY the same job as me. What to do?

Bow to her superior negotiating skills?

There is no obligation by a company to pay two people doing the same role exactly the same.

[Deleted User]

KazMad wrote: »

What to do?

Find out if said person is being honest with you. Could be they are just winding you up. How many exaggerate their salary without realising just what it means.

It could be that the person is a fixed term worker. It happens that the permie gets paid less but more job security whereas the fixed term worker could be paid more due to danger and risk element.

Same job posted recently, two colleagues who will have same job - both have slightly different terms when it comes to working days and who knows what ever else.
https://www.indeed.co.uk/viewjob?jk=b045dff41e6d4fa4&from=myjobs&tk=1cbms71q217i55ag
Shifts: Tuesday - Saturday 0900 - 1730
https://www.indeed.co.uk/viewjob?jk=387b6ba533fb9ce7&from=myjobs&tk=1cbms807f17i31uc
Shifts: Monday - Friday 0830 - 1700

The culture in my current place is we're all paid what we are worth. Take it or leave it attitude which stops a lot of nonsense whilst it may not handle or support applying for other jobs within the company well. I've even re-interviewed once at a company where when I was a temp we'd get the standard holidays at 20+8 bh's but if you worked on anther floor and were going for permanent it was 25+8 bh's days so whilst I was shocked to learn this during the permanent vacancy interview which was a grand less but also included far less weekend working, there is just so many ways to look at it, without getting so aggrieved.

w00519772

In my experience it doesn't really matter what other people earn. Perhaps her skills and experience differ to yours? Perhaps she was offered another job elsewhere and your employer recognised that she is worth more than they are paying her. Perhaps she earned more in her last job than you did in your last job and your employer had to entice her to join?

Personally, I would not try to renegotiate just because of this - salaries should be private (could get you in hot water?). I would renegotiate if you can show that you are worth more with your skills and experience.

There is usually a band e.g. £20K-£30K and an employer will make an offer specific to the individual after looking at their skills and experience and also current salary.

Just my opinion.

Tigsteroonie

KazMad wrote: »

I have just found out I'm being paid less than a colleague (we're both female). She started 3 months after me and is getting 3k a year more for doing EXACTLY the same job as me. What to do?

Ask her for tips on how to negotiate a better salary at your next role.

Reue

w00519772 wrote: »

salaries should be private (could get you in hot water?).

Should they? Says who?

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Reue wrote: »

Should they? Says who?

An awful lot of companies do. Not all, of course, but it isn't at all unlikely.