I just found out that my coworker who is doing the same job as me is making 5000 a year more.

Anonymous

May 6,2022 at 3:16PM UTC

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I just found out that my coworker who is doing the same job as me is making 5000 a year more. When our company was acquired they brought us over at our current rates. Since she had been at the old company longer, she made more. Now we are both being promoted to a new position and doing the exact same job, and they are bumping up our salaries the same amount, which still leaves me woefully behind. What would you suggest doing at this point?

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Annie LimMay 6,2022 at 5:07PM UTC
During the promotion process, you should try to negotiate with your company.
I think that's the only thing you can do, and it's a reasonable request to ask for more. You might not be able to outright mention your co-worker's salary, so I'm uncertain you can make up the difference totally, but at least try to close that gap. Start preparing with details about how you helped the company grow. Try to have specific data if possible.
AnonymousMay 6,2022 at 5:46PM UTC
I would definitely bring it up to your manager. Maybe they will put in a true up adjustment.
Emily PhelanMay 10,2022 at 6:40PM UTC
Yes! I would definitely speak to the manager and ask what the company's plan is to ensure that employees at the acquired company are being fairly and competitively compensated when compared to the employees of the company who acquired them.
AnonymousMay 6,2022 at 8:30PM UTC
Why do you feel you need to be in competition with her financially? Just because you hold the same position as someone does not necessarily mean you should be paid the same. The question is what value do you bring to your organization that justifies you being paid more is where your attention needs to be.
Focus on YOUR performance and YOUR accomplishments. Stop worrying about other people.
DO fully document all of your milestones, success stories, and accomplishments you achieve that leads to positive, efficient and productive shifts in your department. When it comes time for your annual performance review or during typical time to request a raise, that is when you sell the hell out of YOUR achievements backed by facts, not by what Sally over there is getting or doing.
The only way you are going to get the pay bump you want is if you learn how to convince and influence the leadership you work for that you contribute in a noticeable and valuable way to justify it.
So do just that, justify it in your actions, performance and document every step of the way.
Good Luck.
AnonymousMay 10,2022 at 12:34PM UTC
I'm coming at it from her perspective. She's been there longer, and just now getting a promotion and only at $5,000 more than you? I'm sorry, but if I were her, I might be the one upset.
AnonymousMay 10,2022 at 12:53PM UTC
Look for a new job and negotiate for the salary you want. Good luck!
AnonymousMay 10,2022 at 1:03PM UTC
She may have more experience or qualifications than you to merit the extra pay...
and I don't think $5K is a huge difference when you look at pay band ranges.
AnonymousMay 10,2022 at 4:10PM UTC
if you want to make a case for salary parity, you need to come from a place where you can present what value you are contributing to justify the additional $5K and avoid relying on the reason being that your colleague is making that much.
AnonymousMay 11,2022 at 12:33PM UTC
Job duties alone are not necessarily the only factor when considering pay. There's also experience and education to take into consideration. Unless you know that she's got exactly the same education and years of experience (or less) than you, you may not see a benefit from an equity study.
Education isn't necessarily in the form of an advanced degree (i.e., something that would be obvious from her signature line), as she could have taken advanced internal training or earned a graduate certificate that her boss and HR would know about, even if you didn't. Experience isn't necessarily years in that company or even in that field, as years spent doing other things can bring transferable skills to the table that justify a higher salary. There are too many variables for you to know whether she's benefitting unfairly for whatever reason. You can try to negotiate, but I would not bring up the other person's salary as part of the discussion.
Liz MilneMay 11,2022 at 7:55PM UTC
Have a conversation - point out that under the old rules, you would have had an extra pay bump coming your way after X amount of time, but seeing as you're under new management now, that didn't happen. And as you're both going to be doing the same job, perhaps they can see their way to matching salaries?