My boss has alluded to not pass out raises this year and I just learned that my equal is making at least $5K more than me...

21 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 7:17PM UTC

   Don't compare what you make with your co-worker, compare it to what you are worth on the open market. That lets them know you consider that an option. Don't say you are actively searching, but that you did research on what your skills are worth. If they ask if you are looking, just reply, "not at the present time." That gives them an understanding you know what you're worth and keeps your co-worker out of it.

2. AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 9:16PM UTC

   There is no law against paying different employees different compensation. But you can broach the subject with a question on whether or not you will earn an increase due to you exceeding your goals by X this year.

   Don't try and use what other colleagues earn as the basis for an increase.

3. TomOctober 2,2023 at 1:38PM UTC

   I would refer you to the Equal Pay Act, it is an inaccurate statement to say, "There is no law against paying different employees different compensation."

4. AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 2:25PM UTC

   If the other coworkers are more experience, a better skillset, different expertise they have EARNED more value and therefore are paid more. I would refer you to the concept of capitalism.

5. AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 7:03PM UTC

   In this case they are not. We are equal in all parts! That is the only reason for this focus on this.

   I would absolutely not be looking into this if I believed that I was less experienced in any way.

6. SueOctober 3,2023 at 4:50PM UTC

   well said

7. AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 5:46PM UTC

   Please reread the Equal Pay Act.

8. AnonymousSeptember 29,2023 at 9:25PM UTC

   Unless you are covered by a Union bargaining agreement or work in government, there is nothing that states person A and B need to make the same salary. Each person brings their unique stills to the table. If a person is hired during a time where the job market is rough, employer may need to pay a little more to get the right person. You can broach it but I would not expect much to happen. As other noted, I would not bring up with the other is making, as it is none of anyone's business what another person makes.

9. TomOctober 2,2023 at 1:58PM UTC

   You are the best judge on how to bring this issue up with your boss. Raising a salary issue doesn't have to be seen as a negative or ingratitude. You ask your boss for a meeting to professionally discuss a salary issue or salary question. Something like this could be said in an email (good for documentation purposes): Following up on your mention of no raises this year, it has come to your attention that your colleague may be making, what you believe, is significantly more than you.
   I have received many similar questions in my HR career. I then work with the employee's manager to determine what if any salary discrepancy exists. If there is a discrepancy, we determine what factors are causing the discrepancy. Once we know the factors, we can then figure out if a salary adjustment is appropriate. It's better to ask the salary question than to live with the feeling and frustration that you are being paid unfairly,

10. AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 6:59PM UTC

    Thank you this was really helpful

11. AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 2:23PM UTC

    I really miss when this was a single sex space.

12. AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 7:01PM UTC

    Lol honestly get out of here with the negativity. The information he is providing is helpful and its an opinion that has nothing to do with gender and here you are bringing it into play for no reason.

13. AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 2:25PM UTC

    So long as you didn’t do something against company policy to find out your coworkers rates, there’s nothing that would put them in bad standing for you to say you found out via conversation that your rate is lower than some of your team members and you’d like clarity on that.

14. AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 4:45PM UTC

    Why does that matter? Often in a team there are different comps for different people and different levels and years of experience. If what truly bothers you is the disparity and you don't match that person line for line, let it go. It's an ego thing. Your value is tied to the job not the other person. As for not getting increases well in that situation if you don't feel you can continue at the current rate given inflation etc. look for something new where you can get more money.

15. AnonymousOctober 2,2023 at 6:58PM UTC

    It matters to me because we are equal in all senses. Including experience and the time we've been at the company. To me - that rate should be the same.

16. AnonymousOctober 3,2023 at 10:55PM UTC

    Well sorry you are incorrect, especially if the company is larger and has multiple layers in it. There is generally a comp committee and your compensation is based upon multiple factors including education, tenure, previous experience, etc. It's not a flat rate given because of the job description. I would suggest you ask to sit down with your HRBP and ask to be educated on the companies compensation philosophy and how you are being gauged and measured. They may or may not agree to do this but if they do find out how you are ranked organizationally against others in the team.

17. AnonymousOctober 4,2023 at 6:02PM UTC

    It is a very small company but good advice to understand how I am ranked

18. AnonymousOctober 3,2023 at 4:49PM UTC

    In reading all the responses I really do not share my salary with others. I am paid by my experience and value to the company, my education and skills. I also have only had 1 person in my long career here ask. They all know the salary ranges of the job levels and know I am within that range.

    Lastly, when were we proclaimed equal in this respect? I understand paying men and women the same and not underpaying women or minorities but just because you are in the same type of role you deserve to make what I do??????????

    That being said, I should walk up to anyone at my company, ask them their salary, if they get comp and any other perk that may be offered to them? I really do not agree. I am not a part of a Union or bargaining unit - so it is between myself, my boss and HR where I stand in regards to pay. If I ask some of those questions it would not bode well for my future as I would be deemed "nosy" and looking for personal details.

19. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistOctober 5,2023 at 3:41AM UTC

    I have been a recruiter for over 20 years and I do not believe I have ever worked in an organization where everyone that does the same job is making the same base salary. Unless it's a union environment.

    It could simply be a matter your co-worker negotiated a better offer for himself when he joined the company. That's how the job search process works.

20. AnonymousOctober 5,2023 at 8:11PM UTC

    Why is it your business how much your co-worker makes? I personally don't want to know what other people make, it isn't any of my business. Just like it isn't anyone's business how much my bills are, unless they want to pay them. Now my husband on the other hand will tell everyone! I am very private about my finances and pay. But that is just me.

21. AnonymousOctober 6,2023 at 6:14PM UTC

    Yah I'm the opposite and if my skill level was super different I wouldn't be chapped - but we are equal in all parts.