Found I'm being paid less for the same position, before I have even started

Leinad482

I was accepted for a graduate software engineer position at a company a couple months back, and have signed the contract and am preparing the documents for starting my employment. A friend on the same university course as me has also just been accepted there, with a higher salary by an extra £2k.

Before the interview they asked for my desired salary, which they did provide more than I had written as desired, but as I wasn't sure if it would affect my chances I didn't want to put a too high desired amount. I had discussed this job with the friend before he applied, and he decided to try a slightly higher desired salary which after he was accepted has lead to this situation.

I was wondering what the best option I have is. On one hand it doesn't feel fair given we are both being employed for the same position with exactly the same degree and very similar results and grades (mine have been slightly higher if it makes any difference), so I am considering contacting them to discuss this situation. On the other hand, I don't want to lose this opportunity or set myself on the wrong foot with the employer before I have even started. The contract has been signed so I'm unsure what power I have to solve this.

I am just looking for advice for what the best course of action would be for myself, whether to discuss this with the employer immediately or whether I am better giving it a few months of employment before discussing.

[Deleted User]

I'd keep your mouth shut on the matter, get some service in and then consider if you wish to raise the matter.

With hindsight your approach was flawed but raising the issue now may not endear you to your new employer.

Jillanddy

There is no legal reason why jobs have to be paid the same unless some form of unlawful discrimination is the basis for the difference. In this case you were both asked what you expected as a salary, and you agreed a sum with the employer. That really is the end of the matter. In all honesty, I would do neither of your options. In the first place, employers can take a dim view of employees discussing salary. And you are both getting paid what you wanted to be paid. Even in a few months it will come across as childish whining - "he gets paid more than me and I am slightly better than him" never goes down well, even when truthful. Prove yourself first. Then ask for a pay review when you have done so, based on what you are worth, and not what others get paid. 

The truth is that you will never have any "power" to solve this sort of situation. It's a life lesson. Such things happen a lot. And if it's the only time that you find yourself being paid differently from someone in the same job, you'll be lucky. But next time it might be you who is higher paid. But also do remember that it takes two years to get pretty much any employment rights, so even if you waited a few months and then asked, it might be a no, or it might be being shown the route to the door. Pick your battles. This probably isn't the one to pick.

Dakta

If raised response will likely be 'why did you accept our offer?' 

Salary for same job can be a personal negotiation and often is, it does suck but its how it works in a lot of places 

Ath_Wat

Every individual salary will be individually negotiated.

The chances of you both starting on the same amount were negligible, unless you discussed and arranged it beforehand.  One of you was almost bound to end up on less than the other.

They may even have had a total budget and only been able to pay him what he asked because you asked for less than they expected, so you bringing it up now will not go down well at all. At best you will look very naïve.

Marcon

Leinad482 said:

I was accepted for a graduate software engineer position at a company a couple months back, and have signed the contract and am preparing the documents for starting my employment. A friend on the same university course as me has also just been accepted there, with a higher salary by an extra £2k.

Before the interview they asked for my desired salary, which they did provide more than I had written as desired, but as I wasn't sure if it would affect my chances I didn't want to put a too high desired amount. I had discussed this job with the friend before he applied, and he decided to try a slightly higher desired salary which after he was accepted has lead to this situation.

I was wondering what the best option I have is. On one hand it doesn't feel fair given we are both being employed for the same position with exactly the same degree and very similar results and grades (mine have been slightly higher if it makes any difference), so I am considering contacting them to discuss this situation. On the other hand, I don't want to lose this opportunity or set myself on the wrong foot with the employer before I have even started. The contract has been signed so I'm unsure what power I have to solve this.

I am just looking for advice for what the best course of action would be for myself, whether to discuss this with the employer immediately or whether I am better giving it a few months of employment before discussing.

Probably neither. You're being paid more than you asked for, so you have zero grounds to complain. OK, you feel miffed - that's pretty normal - but getting stuck in and doing a fantastically good job is your best line of attack, so that in a year's time (or whenever the first salary review occurs) you can point to all the value you've added. What you don't do is compare yourself with your friend or the salary he earns - it's a surefire way to get your card marked for all the wrong reasons.

sammyjammy

Just get on with it and do a brilliant job, its a lesson learnt for the future, forget it and move on.

Good luck with the job

Grumpy_chap

There is nothing you can do, except perform so much better than your friend that you soon romp away on salary based on your superior value to the business.

I think this is unusual as many companies have a flat starting salary for Graduate scheme.

Even if everything seems very similar between you and your friend, there may be something that could be cited as justification.  Perhaps your friend did s very related final year project?

Own_Worst_Enermy

I would discuss as dignified as possible immediately. Otherwise, it just leads to resentment and you don't want to be thought of later down the line as only saying something because you then appear unhappy in the role. I've been in the situation where I saw a live job advert offering higher wage to people starting after (what I didn't know at the time was the business was jolly well seasonal and had a greatly high turnover but I can't regret not saying anything, it was a good lesson and I would have felt far worse now feeling totally seen off at what was due to happen) 

I would like to say one thing and that is do not presume that people are on better than you - could you get pension contributions before friend etc.  Again I was pretty envious at the temps being paid weekly and non attendance to the workplace, whereas I was monthly and went in at the Employers command, they certainly lost their job before I, (all bar the right one out of the group of six to stay).

It all worked out in the end - new role secured pays that bit more.

Ath_Wat

Own_Worst_Enermy said:

I would discuss as dignified as possible immediately. Otherwise, it just leads to resentment and you don't want to be thought of later down the line as only saying something because you then appear unhappy in the role. I've been in the situation where I saw a live job advert offering higher wage to people starting after (what I didn't know at the time was the business was jolly well seasonal and had a greatly high turnover but I can't regret not saying anything, it was a good lesson and I would have felt far worse now feeling totally seen off at what was due to happen) 

I would like to say one thing and that is do not presume that people are on better than you - could you get pension contributions before friend etc.  Again I was pretty envious at the temps being paid weekly and non attendance to the workplace, whereas I was monthly and went in at the Employers command, they certainly lost their job before I, (all bar the right one out of the group of six to stay).

It all worked out in the end - new role secured pays that bit more.

OP, you should be aware that the person giving you this advice rarely seems to be able to hold on to any job for more than a month or so, so take that into account before following it.

pinkshoes

The other person negotiated higher than you. That's life.

You had the chance to ask for more and didn't.

Work hard, prove you are better than the other person, then in a year ask for a larger pay rise.