Free Career and Job Search Advice

job001 · Newbie Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Posts: 2 Career Advice: +0/-0

The company I work for is advertising for more employees. The job advert for the position I work in is the same as it was when I applied for my job (i've been with the company for almost 5 months). The details of the job, responsibilities, etc are all the same as the job advert I answered. However, the wages are advertised as £3,000 more. So if someone applied now and was successul, they would automatically earn £3000 more than me for carrying out the same job!? At the rate I expect pay rises, I would have to work at least 2 years at the company before I could earn that level of wage.

I feel like my wages are pretty terrible for the work I do anyway, and this has upset me quite a bit. I'm considering talking to my boss about this, but i'm not sure what to say exactly.

Any advice?

Pauloz

job001 · Newbie Joined: 20 Apr 2009 Posts: 2 Career Advice: +0/-0

Thanks for your reply.

I talked to a new guy who works in the same job as me. It turned out he answered the same advertisement, and I asked him about the wage. He said the wage was "up to" the amount, and I asked him if he got the full whack - he didn't. The advertisement doesn't have "up to" the wage listed on it, just the wage - so the ad is misleading really. It seems the company is using the high wage to attract people, and then putting them on a much lower wage if they get the job. It's crap, but it makes me feel a bit better I suppose.

I'm definately only at this company for the short-term. I'm just getting a bit of experience and building a portfolio in my spare time before I apply for somewhere better.

bereanmh · Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 4:01 pm Post subject:

I would talk to your boss. I feel that it is best to get things out in the open.

Do not talk to them in such away as you are assuming something is wrong. For instance, do go in saying "Why is it that new hires are making more money than I am?" This will put you boss on the defensive. Instead say "I noticed that new hires are being paid quite a bit more than I am and I was wondering if this was a mistake or an oversight." This way the boss is not immediately on the defensive because you are just inquiring.

The other thing is, it might actually be an oversight. Most companies do not try to hire for more than they are currently paying because it creates bad blood. On the other hand I have known many bosses who do not know how much their employees are making.

If the boss answers that is not an oversight then you need to ask why you deserve to be paid less when they know how you are but they don't know a new hire.

If they are unwilling to raise your wage, let them know that the situation is not right, but do not make any threats like "I will just have to find a new job." That will just get you out the door sooner. Then start looking for another job so you can hand in your resignation.

Hope this helps.

aarond · Newbie Joined: 19 Aug 2009 Posts: 3 Career Advice: +0/-0

Dear job001,

to me this whole situation sounds totally inadequate and if I were you I would go to my boss and ask him right away why you get 3000 less for the same job someone does on a completely new basis though you with your 5 months have more working experience in this job. Even if the other person is better (what your boss does not know for now! and by the way: the other one could also be worse and a complete mess) you deserve to be equally paid and treated. Fact is you are there longer and another fact is it is the same job field though you have more experience because you it is your executive job and field.

In any case to my mind you are absolutely right talking to him and carrying that out with him correctly and adequate. It just doesn't seem fair and right to get you in such a situation.

I wish you all the best and all the right.

Mairead · Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 3:29 pm Post subject:

Hi there

It's a terrible situation that you are in and it undermines the work you have done to date. However, quite often when companies are recruiting ( much like the public sector ) there is a salary range and payment is dependent on the experience you bring to the table. It maybe a case that you had a learning curve in the role and that this was why you were offered a lower salary. You need to speak to your boss. If he/she defends their decision, then you need to ask them what you need to do to reach the salary level outlined on the job-spec. Set timeframes and deliverables.

This happened to my friend recently - she is a manager in a consulting firm and she found out ( by accident ) that her subordiinate, someone she was going to be directly managing, was offered more money than her. She has started looking for an alternative as a result.

It will backfire on them, but you have to keep the chin up! Unfortunatley employers are in control nowadys, so be careful and approach it professionally!

Mairead
http://www.careermentors.ie

Join our Newsletter
CopyRight © 1999-2008 cvtips.com This material cannot be published under any form or condition.