My company is taking me for a ride.

toastcrumb

Hi all, I have a situation at work which I would like to resolve in my favour but am unsure to go about it.

I am due to have a review at work next week (they are usually every 6 month but this one is overdue by 3) and I have now been with my company for over 2 years. I joined them straight from university and I’ve worked my way up. A co-worker who only joined recently has decided to leave, and they are advertising her role again on a recruiting website. With my experience here I could easily fill this role (I have already been there and done that and moved on to more taxing tasks) yet there is a pay gap of 8k! I understand that she is older than me and more experienced in similar roles, but I know my company’s systems very well. In fact, I could do her job with my hands tied behind my back.

So now that I know I am being grossly underpaid for my work, how do I go about raising this in my review? I don’t feel very valued by the company, and I feel like I’ve been taken advantage of. I have a printout of the job advertisement, but what do I say to get them to bring my pay up to speed? I like the people I work with but I’m going to have to find a better paid job if they can’t pay us fairly.

G-G_4

Are you allowed to apply for her position?

aqueoushumour01

I'd definitely go to HR and express an interest in the position. But I'd do it now and not leave it until next week. I've learnt very recently that you need to act quickly with jobs otherwise the job you want may disappear.

Taadaa

I get the impression from your posting that the roles are not the same - is this the case? They could very well use this as an excuse for paying her more, along with the additional experience. You will need to do your homework and find out what the market generally pays for your skills and experience, otherwise they will fob you off. Sorry you are feeling undervalued. I feel the same way, no luck with finding a new job so far though, my skills don't appear to be in great demand!!

Grass_Stained_Feet

I know people who have gotten pay rises by showing bosses other job ads, that pay more..... that they are qualified for and could potentially get....

save-a-lot

toastcrumb wrote: »

Hi all, I have a situation at work which I would like to resolve in my favour but am unsure to go about it.

I am due to have a review at work next week (they are usually every 6 month but this one is overdue by 3) and I have now been with my company for over 2 years. I joined them straight from university and I’ve worked my way up. A co-worker who only joined recently has decided to leave, and they are advertising her role again on a recruiting website. With my experience here I could easily fill this role (I have already been there and done that and moved on to more taxing tasks) yet there is a pay gap of 8k! I understand that she is older than me and more experienced in similar roles, but I know my company’s systems very well. In fact, I could do her job with my hands tied behind my back.

So now that I know I am being grossly underpaid for my work, how do I go about raising this in my review? I don’t feel very valued by the company, and I feel like I’ve been taken advantage of. I have a printout of the job advertisement, but what do I say to get them to bring my pay up to speed? I like the people I work with but I’m going to have to find a better paid job if they can’t pay us fairly.

I have the dilema whereby the people I am training are brand new to the company, I am good at what I do, yet the most recent new starter is on about £1K less than me. I feel gutted as I have nigh on 10 years experience in my role. It is difficult to ask out right, so instead I want to ask for a career review, and this way I can legitimately bring up salary goals. But, that is the way my company works, does yours do similar????

toastcrumb

Taadaa wrote: »

I get the impression from your posting that the roles are not the same - is this the case? They could very well use this as an excuse for paying her more, along with the additional experience. You will need to do your homework and find out what the market generally pays for your skills and experience, otherwise they will fob you off. Sorry you are feeling undervalued. I feel the same way, no luck with finding a new job so far though, my skills don't appear to be in great demand!!

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I actually have done her role before - it is easy but tedious work for me. I moved away from it because it wasn't challenging. Another colleague who does EXACTLY the same thing as the person who is leaving is also on the same pay as me.

I have printed out the job advertisement already and am taking that with me. They obviously have the money to invest in individuals who they think are worth it. They are neglecting the younger (ex-graduate) staff, who have already built up worth by taking the time to integrate very well with the company's working environment. In our reviews we are constantly told that they love our work - time to start seeing some real world (ie realistic) figures in return for it.

To save-a-lot: in our company they tell us the pay and career reviews are separate entities, yet the pay rises usually precede or immediately follow a review. I would be more upfront and state that you believe you are being underpaid for your work, and would like THAT to be reviewed rather than your career. I did this once before and people listened. Sadly those people are no longer my dirent line management.

Fred1_2

As unfashionable as it may seem, I hope you have an active union presence in your workplace and are able to join. This is exactly the sort of situation they are experienced in handling.

amyparr

If you don't ask you don't get! Just ask for a pay rise and use the advert as ammunition - I wouldn't take it any further than that until you hear back from them. Although you are mad about it, try not to let this come across in your review - just make a great pitch about how you deserve the increase etc.

skintbutsmiling01

If you look at the main requirements in the advert you have, eg "experience of x system" , maybe write down points that prove you have each skill they are looking for, for that role. also evidence of good achievements, initiatives, projects etc you have led/developed/contributed to. I only say put it in writing so you can take it with you in case you lose your bottle or get flustered. Giving your employer this clear evidence may persuade them with the evidence that you are under valued and under paid. Good luck!

misskool

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to the employment and jobseeking board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email abuse@moneysavingexpert.com.