I just found out from a former supervisor that I am being paid $10K less than everyone else in my department.

8 Comments

1. AnonymousSeptember 13,2022 at 12:19PM UTC

   Only you can advocate for you.
   Highlight your stellar performance reviews, bring salary data for your position in your area (or remote), discuss all the projects and tasks that you've completed and spearheaded as triumphs, and lay out why you feel like you are underpaid and what steps can be taken to correct it.

   If they immediately say no or stall, ask questions as to why. Or what you could do differently. That will determine whether you up increase that job search, or if they pay you and fix it, decide to stay.

   Unfortunately, a lot of positions in companies do not keep up with industry salary trends and "catch up" with new hires who are asking more, often leaving those in their current positions behind. It's a horrible practice and why people jump ship. Hopefully, your employer will course correct, or else you can jump ship too.

2. AnonymousSeptember 13,2022 at 1:31PM UTC

   This is really great advice — thank you for sharing!

3. AnonymousSeptember 13,2022 at 2:27PM UTC

   The only way I significantly surpassed my counterparts was to jump around from company to company. My perceived value increased significantly and I now make well over 40-50% more than most performing my role. Not because I perform 40-50% better but because I have demonstrated that my market value is 40-50% greater since I am in demand and have worked at very high profile company with cache. My network is impressive having moved around and been fortunate enough to work with global names in several industries.

4. Cindy AllenSeptember 13,2022 at 1:23PM UTC

   If you are unhappy, ask for more money. Meet with your immediate manager and outline your accomplishments and reviews. Then ask for a raise. If they don’t give you a raise, look elsewhere.

   If you are overall happy with your position, it becomes more complicated. How much will this erode your confidence in the company? Your willingness to stay while being under compensated? You contentment in the position?

   As women, we need to start asking for what we want and deserve. If employers are not able to meet that - find one that will. In this market there are a lot of openings.

5. AnonymousSeptember 13,2022 at 2:10PM UTC

   Unfortunately your leadership doesn't see your value or recognize your equality with your colleagues.

   Your next step is to make the case again, understanding you may not receive a sufficient bump to balance the salary range within your group.

   If/when they make concessions only you can decide to stay or take the leap to another company who acknowledges your value accordingly.

6. JJSeptember 14,2022 at 2:36AM UTC

   Document everything to sue them is one option. You could get a lump sum if you can prove gender discrimination. If that’s too heavy, leave and give them a bad review on Glassdoor.

7. Holly NunnallySeptember 14,2022 at 10:48AM UTC

   This can be a very touchy subject and I hate to do this, but I need to ask... Does everyone in your department have the same background? (degree, experience, longevity, etc.) Do your qualifications meet or exceed their qualifications?

   I ask these questions because there could be reasons other than discrimination for the pay discrepancy. You could unknowingly squeeze yourself out of the job if you complain/inquire and are not equal in the above qualifications. "Position A" might have a salary range based on the things I listed above, instead of everyone starting at the same rate of pay.

   There are three people in my position where I work. We are on different teams, but we all do the same thing. I recently found out that there is one of us who makes about $5000/year less than the other two. (She talked about her salary in comparison to another similar position at a different firm, and the other person in this position is the one who got me the job and told me what it paid) She constantly changes her schedule, forgets her commitment to help out one of the other teams, can't be depended upon, etc., while the other two of us go above and beyond to help out the other team and pick up her slack.

   I am NOT implying that you are a slacker while they are all workhorses, but just pointing out that you never know what goes on behind the scenes that may influence compensation.

8. Crystal HowellSeptember 14,2022 at 12:40PM UTC

   Follow her or contact Top Resume to update your resume, and apply at executive search firms