Spinoff of going over boss's head.....

Ok so right now I am really mad and don't know what to do. One of my co-workers printed out their annual salary and it was sitting right on top of the printer (someone must have gotten to it and put it there, not sure why they didn't put it upside down so no one can see but that is not here or there now).
I am at my job 20 years, this person has been in this the same dept (we have the same job title) for 7 years.
The kicker now......she makes about $1,000 less than I do.
I have no clue what to do as how can I go and say I saw her annual salary but I want to say something to my boss and I am pissed!!!

Re: Spinoff of going over boss's head.....

This is honestly a hard one to give advice on without knowing all the facts. You might have been there longer, but she could have different experience or schooling that have pushed her to a similar salary... Also its possible that her degree of work is different. Not saying that any of that is the case but just wanted to give you the for instances.

If I personally were going to address this- I don't think I'd bring up the other person's salary- I would instead talk to the boss about deserving a raise, point out all your successes over the 20 years, any schooling, etc- all reasons why you deserve it.

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IMHO I'm not sure there is much you can do. Salary is private.

EVEN if it was left out in the open, its STILL not your "business" to know or talk about.

Your in a really hard place. I think you make a decisionbased on your relationship with your boss. Would they freak out? Would they be pissed? Would they be ok with it?

The FACT is your boss KNOWS they are paying this person just 1K less. What kind of a position does it put the boss in KNOWING you know, and are pissed you know?

I don't think there is much to be done....I'm curios as to how others respond. My inclintion is there is nothing you can do.

Re: Spinoff of going over boss's head.....

Posted by Pray4Baby2010

This is honestly a hard one to give advice on without knowing all the facts. You might have been there longer, but she could have different experience or schooling that have pushed her to a similar salary... Also its possible that her degree of work is different. Not saying that any of that is the case but just wanted to give you the for instances.

If I personally were going to address this- I don't think I'd bring up the other person's salary- I would instead talk to the boss about deserving a raise, point out all your successes over the 20 years, any schooling, etc- all reasons why you deserve it.

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Spinoff of going over boss's head.....

Sometimes moving around to different companies results in higher pay as compared to staying at the same place for many year. I know that many of the people I work with have been here for pretty much their entire careers. I moved 3 times and each time, the salary increase was much more than if I had stayed at the same place. And I'm pretty sure I make more than some of the people that have worked here much longer (with the same number of years experience in our field). Like the others have said, I would address your salary with your boss, without comparing it to anyone else. Make your case for why you should get a raise, not just that someone else makes nearly the same salary.

Re: Spinoff of going over boss's head.....

It sucks because there will always be someone making the same who is not a stellar employee.

Unfortunately, you can't use that as leverage to make more.

If I were in your shoes, I would draft a proposal of what you do and see if that is means for a raise or even a "bonus" check for performance.

If your company continues to be unresponsive, you can always look elsewhere.

I know for me personally, seeing how terrible the job market is, and how a lot of my colleagues have it 1000% worse, has made me appreciative of what I do have, where I am.

I know this is probably a vent for you more than anything, but a lot of people really are in the same boat, unfortunately.

And employers I think know that which is why nothing changes.

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I think that, when it comes to salary, you really only have a few options:

1. Accept the salary you are given;

2. Look elsewhere for a better paying job; or

3. Advocate for a raise at your current company, and if that doesn't work, then see option #1 or 2.

Your situation sounds INCREDIBLY frustrating! I know you said you've already tried, numerous times, to advocate for a pay raise, but your higher ups don't do anything in response. I know you said you've talked to your immediate boss about it. Have you ever made a formal presentation about why you deserve a raise? Putting it in writing, listing out everything you do, goals met/exceeded, etc.? If not, maybe try that.

As far as seeing your co-workers' salary, I agree that I wouldn't mention that. It would make you look petty, I think, and detract from the merits of what YOU do and why you deserve a raise, which is really the issue. As frustrated as you are, I would try to take the emotion out of it, if you decide to broach this issue again with your bosses.

Just another point - You've mentioned that there are a lot of "pros" to your job that outweigh the cons for you, which is why you wouldn't look elsewhere. In my opinion, sometimes non-monetary benefits, such as flex time, good relationships with co-workers, a short commute, etc., etc. can outweigh making a higher salary. I personally made a career change where I traded off some money for a better quality of life. So if you feel like you have an overall good situation at your job, maybe try to focus on the value of that and not the frustrating salary situation, and maybe you'll feel better. And if it gets to the point where you think more money is a priority, you can always look elsewhere! So you have that control.

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It really sucks.

There are people at my company going through this right now (mostly more of our entry level people).

It is what it is and once in awhile they may get a bonus, but otherwise, I have figured out that unless their position is directly bringing in income to the agency, it's unlikely the salary will change.

And it doesn't matter what education level or experience is either.

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