random job scenario question...

ellen73

A friend of mine found out that they (and other people with similar experience levels, at least three years) were being payed about 30% less than what they offered a new hire last year and what they are offering two new hires this year. And by new hire, I mean fresh out of school with no experience.

 What would you do in that situation? I have no frame of reference for this. My pay scale out of school was pretty much mandated by the government (and it is a scale that hasn't changed in the past 8 years) and my employer now tries to match other universities in the area and will bump up "old" people to be at least equivalent to new people if they were to ever surpass the old salaries. 

 

 

vmd87

hmmm...this is a tough one. A lot of times, the pay scale for new hires is economically based. When I was teaching preschool in PA, I was hired at one pay rate because economically speaking, they could pay me that rate....a few months later when they needed to fill a position, the rate was lower than mine for someone with the same experience because we had lost some kids and couldn't pay them the same as me.

It's kindof an awkward situation either way. Your friends could say something, but that could potentially breech any contract they may have signed upon hire that maintains pay rates between employees to be confidential. On the other hand, saying something to their boss could result in a pay raise.

If I were them, I would re-read their hiring contracts. If it doesn't say anything about keeping wages confidential, I would go ahead and have a conversation with the employer. If it does have a confidentiality agreement, they could always suggest a raise without bringing up the new hires!

curlylocks3

I'm almost ready for bed so I'm not positive I'm understanding completely but what I think you're saying is that you're friend found out that new hires in the same company are getting paid ~30% more than she is.  Do I have that right? 

If that is the case I would probably try to gather information about what other companies are offering to employees with comparable skills/experience.  Unfortunately, I'm not sure what the best source for that information would be.  If it supported my salary being higher than it is I think it would be logical to approach my manager/boss about a raise.  I'm terribly non-confrontational though so this would be a big challenge for me- but 30% is a big difference!