© 2022 Fairygodboss. All rights reserved.
War over Wages
A closed door conversation with my boss has me highly concerned..
My company has had a staffing shortage, which after more than a year is one hire away from being a full roster (as much as we will get).
My manager pulled me into a "closed door" meeting in his office stating that once the new individual is hired (he's doing interviews now), he's like to get me back into training as an assistant manager. He said he's seen I have the skills to begin taking on part of the role, helping out when others are on vacation or the office is exceptionally busy (Holidays, sickness, etc).
I got a decent pay boost for this a year ago, but due to COVID and staffing shortages , me stepping up into the role was largely postponed.
Our union contract is up a the end of this month - so our steward requested a list of everyone's current salaries from HR. it was revealed I got a pay boost that leads to me making more than several co-workers who have more time with the company, arguable more experience, less education and intensive training.
My boss informed me that "some, or maybe one of your coworkers was extremely upset" over this - as apparently the union steward shared the salaries with others.
"Don't be surprised if you face some hostility," he warned.
I have seen a bit of hostility from a particular coworker in recent weeks, which I noticed before the convo with my boss. I haven't addressed, just let it go, but with union negotiations coming up - should I?
I'm going to have to sit around a rather small table and hammer out a "fair deal" with them regarding wages and benefits for myself, them and other coworkers for the next 3-5 years.
Judith Scanlon
23
10/16/20 at 1:34PM UTC
If the hostile employee has already been passed over repeatedly and is still sticking around, it’s possible her hostility is temporary as she learns to accept the disappointment. The union steward who shared compensation with everyone should also be in the conversation w/ your manager re: the best way to make this right. You are a valued employee (clearly) with a rare opportunity to show everyone, including your new “hater”how to handle tough situations with courage and sensitivity. Congratulations on your achievement.
Anonymous
10/16/20 at 1:53PM UTC
Judith - I appreciate your insight.
Unfortunately, the stick is that we have 2 union stewards. One is the individual who got the salaries. He shared it with the second, newer steward - this second individual.
So the somewhat hostile individual who demanded to know why from my manager, and has been rubbing against me is actually one of the two union stewards (we didn't vote her in, she kind of just took the role).
Judith Scanlon
23
10/16/20 at 4:07PM UTC
Oh. That makes things tougher, obviously, but part of being a leader is using the influence you have to hold people accountable for disruptive behavior and working through it with them showing as little shaming and judgment as possible.
DeborahORellWe're a women’s rights in the workplace law firm
173
10/16/20 at 12:51PM UTC
compensation is a sensitive subject. often, we attach our self worth to what we are paid. So I appreciate everyone's comments about comp packages being kept confidential. As someone who works in representing employees in Pay Equity Claims, the biggest challenge is finding out what others are making. As I read your situation, are you being paid more because you're moving into management? Or as others being paid less because of their age, race, nationality, gender, etc?
Anonymous
10/16/20 at 12:59PM UTC
I wouldn't say that I was being moved into management. We lost a lot of our middle management staff approximately a year ago, and it's almost more like being given additional responsibilities and training to be able to step up into that mid-level role when someone else is on vacation, sick leave or during busy holiday seasons.
The person who is taken offense is older than me -- but they share the same gender and sexuality presentation (what is publicly known), as well as race and nationality. The person is older, but has already been passed over for mid-level management position several times in the past for other candidates.
Anonymous for a day
449
10/15/20 at 7:38PM UTC
It sounds like you’re getting moved into a management role and your adversary is not. Management usually pays more regardless of experience. I’m not familiar with unions but I think it’s unprofessional to reveal salaries to everyone. Nothing good ever comes from that.
Sarah Stadtherr
598
10/15/20 at 4:22PM UTC
I think the steward who shared specific dollars earned by specific staff is in the wrong. I'd contact the Union higher ups.
I'd also have a meeting with your Boss and make it a point for him to meet with any potentially "hurt" employees explaining why you make more $ and tell them "tough noogies".
I also wonder why Reports from HR weren't edited to EE number or last four of social beside the dollar figures. Maybe the job titles were enough to ID who gets what but that's a pretty dirty situation in and of itself.
Rebecca Lee VOperations Analyst
2.22k
10/15/20 at 2:02PM UTC
What you make is your business and no one else.
Jacquelyn LloydCoach & HR Consultant
866
10/14/20 at 12:09AM UTC
Your question raises a lot of questions, but in general, I would suggest speaking to your union business agent. It is not appropriate for your steward to be retaliating against you in the workplace for any reason. They need to be retrained and advised of their role. Any union worth it's salt will try and match your wages for everyone else - not lower yours. That's the tack to take with your co-worker. You are paving the way to higher wages for everyone!
You should study your contract for who is included in the unit (Recognition Clause.) You may be excluded if you become a supervisor or manager - even Assistant Manager.
Faye Valverde
30
10/14/20 at 12:27AM UTC
There's two stewards - the one who requested the wages for bargaining purposes who is great to me. The other steward is new - and that's who is acting snippy toward me and creating tension.
The position I'm taking would be somewhat new, meant to bridge eliminated positions. As long as I'm hourly I stay in the union, if I become salaried - I'd be out.
My head manager has mentioned he would like to offer more and make me salaried, but thinks due to budget constraints its unlikely to happen soon.
Steph McDonaldRecruiter doing cool things at Zapier
299
10/16/20 at 5:59PM UTC
The union rep works for you. What you're paid should reflect what you're value to the organization is. COVID through a wrench into plans. If the rep can't empathise with both you (your career was paused, and I'm sure you didn't expect that) and the company (COVID stopped them from staffing up sooner, and giving you the role that would help them the most) then they are in the wrong job.
Preeti KashyapProduct Management Leader - Ecommerce & Shipping
142
10/13/20 at 9:55PM UTC
I am so sorry you are going through this. Times are tough as it is and to have hostile colleagues on top of it can be so stressful. Please keep reminding yourself that you earned this position with hard work. Your management saw potential in you otherwise they wouldn't have taken this step .. Stay strong you will get through this!!
Jodie JohnsonIntegrity Matters!
243
10/13/20 at 8:08PM UTC
This sounds quite overwhelming and although I cannot give you extensive advice, I do empathize with your situation and would personally come at it by making them justify why you should not be being paid your current salary as opposed to you having to justify why you are. The fact is, this pandemic left a lot of people in limbo and with new and unforeseen challenges...it's commendable that you chose to stay and adjust let alone have to deal with people being petty. I feel for ya and wish you all the best. You deserve the position as well as all the pay and benefits it provides no matter when the company can schedule training...since you don't set up training schedules, you have to go by when the company tells you when it's safe and feasible to do so. You know you're fully capable and the training is simply a matter of formality ---but--- also will provide some more insight and opportunity for growth. Hang in there and stay tough! :)
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