If you found out a coworker made more than you, how would you react?

[Nikia]

Assume that both you and your coworker negotiated indepently with your employer for your rate of pay and neither one of you did anything unethical to get hired or get a higher rate of pay.
Answer this question for a direct coworker (someone who does the exact same job as you and for a coworker with more responsibilities than you but who makes a lot more than you.

[Shakespeare]

1. I've been in that situation before.

Because the salaries were independently negotiated, I didn't wig out and run to HR. Instead, I started documenting all of my accomplishments very carefully for that year, and when my annual review came around (approximately six months later), I said "I'm aware that other staff members (I didn't name names) make $___ more than I do. I feel my salary should be raised at least to that level, because I've done (then listed my accomplishments for the year)." I was completely positive in the way I handled it.

I got the increase to match, plus a COLA on top of that.

[Zoigal]

2. Excellent way to address

that situation, Shakespeare. "Alls Well that Ends Well"

[AggieGal]

4. Great way to handle things

This way they saw how much you mattered to the company vs being a whiner.

[Nikia]

9. I think that you handled it well

That certainly was a very constructive way to act.

[fudge stripe cookays]

3. Nothing.

Except maybe consider looking for a new job somewhere else.

Because no matter how you explain it, they would figure you were discussing salaries with the other person. At most firms, this is a no-no, and is grounds for immediate dismissal.

[Major Hogwash]

8. I agree. I was going to say the same thing.

Because I was the one who had the higher pay, and the rest of the crew got all excited over it when they found out.

[Nikia]

10. How did you handle things on that end?

Did the other employees realize that it wasn't your fault that they were being paid less than you?

[DS1]

5. I'm not paid any less than the people in my office

but I am severely underpaid for what I do. So I'm reacting by looking for a new job. I'm getting about 60% industry standard.

[AggieGal]

6. I am a scale employee

I knew going into this job that it took 10.5 yrs to top out. I am there now, yet make less than 3 yrs ago due to across the board paycuts a few years ago. Oh well.

[SPKrazy]

7. Being in the position of being that coworker

who makes more than my coworkers I can also say that I've got more seniority, i've had some fortuitous breaks along the way, and I have the "right" license to make that extra pay while my coworker doesn't.

That said, I know that I'm replaceable as hell, bean counters don't care about whether a new grad could do the job or not, they could pay them less.

Longevity at some point becomes your worst enemy.

[Nikia]

11. Higher pay probably does make one more vunerable

Especially if they get applicants who could do the job and are willing to work for less.

[northzax]

12. this is why I keep firearms in my office

just to ensure my protection in case such a thing occurs. Which means it will never occur.

[bettyellen]

13. isn't discussing salaries with co workers a big no no as far as employers go? my dept imploded

because a man i had the "same job as" was paid $20 a week less. He went to the bosses to try to be named my supervisor- just to justify a raise, mind you. When I told the bosses that was unacceptable to me, the bosses were okay with that. But then the whole place fell apart. We both ended up quitting, and Gerry was the one escorted out by policemen.

[Deep13]

16. Well, management does like employees sharing information. nt

[Darth_Kitten]

14. I really don't know......

in my workplace we all get paid the same, no matter how much we do/how valuable we are/etc.......which leads to some resentment and lack of morale. I mean, why bust your gut if the office lazy slackers can do what they want to do (and get overtime because they can't finish their jobs in regular time like most other people do)



I guess I would only second what the poster who said to keep a record of your accomplishments and then bring them to the supervisors at review time.

[dropkickpa]

15. I'm pissed

But, working at a university, there's not much I can do other than find another position outside this dept (SOP for this uni). Last year they had to get into a big ol to-do with HR to justify a 5% raise for me (standard max was 3.25%). A girl who was hired 3 years after me, unlicensed without the degree I have, vastly less experience in the field, and minus a certification that got me a $1000/year raise earns $8 less a month than me. Oh yeah, and I trained her. I also have much greater responsibilities, am the go-to person in my chosen specialization (even the VETs consult me, ferchissakes!!), and am pretty much the training person for our division. Every evaluation I've had has been positively glowing, with the highest marks and lots of "invaluable to the program"s in there.

I actually really like my job, and earn more at the uni than I would anywhere else in this field and get better benefits, plus I have a job security that I wouldn't have if I changed depts. So I'm biding my time.

[SarahB]

17. If the person was in the same position as me,

I'd be a little ticked. Would I do anything about it? Probably not, I'm being paid extremely well and I love my job and department.

[rustydog]

18. My co-workers are mad at me bacause I am the "new-guy"

And I make 10-dollars more an hour than all of them.

[Nikia]

19. Do you feel that the anger is misplaced?

That it isn't your fault that they make so little, that you would not have even come to work at their company if they didn't pay you more than your co-workers?
Do you sympathize with them and think that it is unfair that you make so much more than them?
Both?

[rainbow4321]

20. I do make more hourly

but in return I get no sick/vacation days or insurance. I'm a contract worker...it's like per diem but they cannot cancel me (they could, but they would still owe me for those hours).
And, yes, I do run across the co-workers that resent it once in a while. That is when I have to remind them about all of the above..and also that while the per diem nurses make more per hour, they are the first to get cancelled, first to float, have UNguaranteed hours if they are NOT contract, that they may have to go to different hospitals to get their hours. That is when I throw in "If you think it sounds so good, why don't you be an agency nurse instead of staff"? That is the only time they acknowledge all the bennies we don't get 'Oh, NO, I need the definite hours and the benefits and I hate to float, etc..' Ok, then, stop griping about us and our higher hourly rate.
What happens when they are griping to others about us, they leave out the cons and just bitch about the higher hourly rate. Guess they get more sympathy from whoever is listening to them complain by giving an inaccurate picture.

[Elidor]

21. I'd mug him in the parking lot after work

Rub his face in the asphalt. And I'd make it understood he'd better pay up voluntarily next time or there'd be real trouble.

[hellbound-liberal]

22. Do less work than they did! Remember the rules of employee pay

Most employers pay just enough to keep people from quitting and most people work just hard enough to keep from getting fired.