Money Moral Dilemma: My colleague is paid more to do the same job - what should I do?

This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...
I just discovered my colleague is paid almost £5,000/yr more than me, yet we do exactly the same job and have similar levels of experience. Should I speak up?

Unfortunately the MSE team can't always answer money moral dilemma questions as contributions are often emailed in or suggested in person. They are intended to be enjoyed as a point of debate and discussed at face value.

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Comments

  • Fireflyaway
    Fireflyaway Posts: 2,766
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    This happens all the time and could be for a number of reasons. It's worth a mention in your next 121. You could get lucky!
  • Rubik
    Rubik Posts: 315
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    I would suggest you take the approach of why you deserve to be paid the same, and focus on your contributions, skills and work ethic etc, rather than any perceived unfairness in the pay deficit.
  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 34,579
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    Wouldn't this MMD be more appropriate to the Employment board...?
  • lincroft1710
    lincroft1710 Posts: 17,543
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    This so-called "dilemma" frequently crops up on the Employment Board. Speak up if you want but unless there is clearly discrimination (as defined in employment law) the employer does not have to pay the same wage for the same job.
    If you are querying your Council Tax band would you please state whether you are in England, Scotland or Wales
  • cyantist
    cyantist Posts: 560 Forumite
    After 5 years in my previous job I got paid more than anyone in my department despite being one of the newest recruits.

    We had performance related pay - to go up an increment you had to outperform. I did this 5 years running and no one else had more than 1 year of outperforming during that time so I got a raise of £1500 every year.

    There may be a reason they are paid more.
  • Tigsteroonie
    Tigsteroonie Posts: 24,954
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    Maybe the colleague was a better negotiator when they got the job.

    Who knows.

    All you can do is ask for a raise.
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  • Marvel1
    Marvel1 Posts: 7,157
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    Mote suited for the employment board.
  • kazt2006
    kazt2006 Posts: 54 Forumite
    Yes you have the right to be paid an equal basic salary for the same role or at the very least in the same banding / grade.

    You may find that your colleague has a recruitment and rentention allowance. These are at the employers discretion on an individual basis either when employees start a new job or because they found another position and the employer wanted to keep this person. To use this though, you!!!8217;d need a credible alternative.

    Or as Cyantist said it could be as a result of PRP.

    I once got screwed on the salary for a job - 2 jobs advertised, 1 with salary £3k higher than the other. Found out afterwards we!!!8217;d gone after the same job so they averaged the starting salaries. Hasn!!!8217;t happened since, as now I have clear expectations within the range offered and if an future potential employer doesn!!!8217;t meet that, I walk away!
  • File a court case under Equality Pay Act
  • Pollycat
    Pollycat Posts: 34,579
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    Maybe if the author of this MMD needs to ask advice about this rather than finding out for him/herself and doing something about it - they don't deserve to be paid as much as the other employee...
    Just a thought...:D :whistle:
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