I need you're help!! I'm having problems at work and need to figure out what to do?

Question

I have a job with a small company. My problem is I don't think I'm being paid enough. My husband also works at this same job in the shop and I in the office. I've worked there a year longer than him & get paid the exact same amount as he does. I have many responsibilities that include payroll, accounts payable & receivable, answering the phone, taking orders, dealing with unhappy customers, cleaning, safety supervisor, etc. I am also considered Human Resources but have never had training to do so. This means I am a part of employee reviews and write ups, including my husbands. I work with only one other lady in the office who has been there 10 years longer than me. She is the office manager & makes almost three times more than me. I tried to ask her why I was paid the same as my husband, & her response was "they're on a higher pay scale". It doesn't seem like her pay reflects that. What should I do? Leaving isn't an option. Am I being discriminated against because I'm a woman?

Maybe I wasn't clear, sorry. My husband and I both work at the same place. We have different jobs. My point is my responsibilities in the company far out weight that of my husbands. I take orders also which means that I'm also partly a salesperson. Technically if I am able to be a part of his reviews and even write him up shouldn't I be paid more? I also have been there a year longer than him. I know it's not exactly comparing apples to apples but it doesn't seem fair. As far as my boss, I think it's great she gets paid well. No problems there. I just think I should at least be on the same pay level as my husband. What do you think??

Answer 1

The legal principle is "equal pay for equal work". If this is being violated, you're indeed discriminated against. However, looking at the hodgepodge of responsibilities you have, "equal work" will be very hard to prove.
A more winning approach would be to systematically list all your responsibilities, your qualifications, and your achievements. Also list the trainings you would need to do your job even better. Finally, participate in a salary survey that shows you what other people with similar responsibilities are paid in your region. Hopefully, this will support your case.

Then ask for a meeting (1:1) with your boss, or the owner of the small company you're working for. Do not discuss this with other employees. Explain all the things you are doing for him, and explain why you think you're being underpaid.

Make it clear that you're loyal to his company, and not thinking about leaving. Also make it clear you like your job. You want to be paid better, and become an even better performer.

Suggest the following:
(1) enter the "higher payscale" right now
(2) get signed up for the trainings your missing
(3) arrange for a performance review 6 months from now to demonstrate that your boss's investment in you has paid out for the company

Answer 2

I have to agree with Sharon. You can't compare your salary to that of other people in your company. It sounds like you are a "girl Friday" in your office. The office manager has been there 10 years longer and should be making quite a bit more. Your husband has a different job entirely, so his pay scale is not relevant to yours. Office workers generally get paid less. This is what happens when people find out how much other people make, and this is where your lack of training in HR is showing.

What is boils down to is this, if you are unhappy to the point of not being able to do your job because of what you are making you should polish your resume. If, however, you feel that you are earning a fair salary for the job that YOU are doing you should stay.

I don't see any discrimination here.

Answer 3

I'm not sure exactly what the problem is. The office manager has been there 10 years longer than you have and makes 3 times what you do.

How does this concern you exactly? If you both had the exact same job and had been there the exact same amount of time, you would have a right to be pissed because it would be very unfair.

As far as your husbands job, he has a DIFFERENT job than you do. It doesn't matter that he has been there a year less than you have. His services apparently are worth more than yours to your company. You are considered "overhead". His job produces their income. People who produce income are almost always paid higher than administrative staff, with the exception of the highest ranking administrator.

If you want a raise, you have to approach it based on your own merits ... not because "my husband gets paid the same as I do". So what he gets paid the same. He gets to make his own salary deal the same as you do.

Come up with reasons why you deserve a raise, based upon your performance, skills and responsibilities. Leave other people out of it.

Answer 4

What a tuff dilemma you are in, I posed a similar question yesterday, and go through the same frustrations at my office as well.
The only thing to do is talk to your superior in a professional manner to relay to them what you think you are worth. Do not be threatening just explain/ask for money. All they can say is no. Do not call out other employees or talk bad about the company. Explain what you do and sell yourself as the future of the company. If they will not increase your salary maybe ask for more paid time off so you don't get "burnt" because of all the duties you take on.
I dont see you being discriminated against because of youre gender. I see you being taken advantage of because youre a hard worker who saves the company lots of money due to youre multitasking abilities.
If all of this gets you know where, polish up your resume with all this experience youve gained in all these aspects of business and send it out. Schedule interviews around your current work schedule and keep it hush hush at work. You dont want to tarnish your rep at your current company. If something comes along put in a formal two weeks, if nothing comes along you still have a job and valueable interview experience for your next venture into a new career.

Answer 5

Often, the people in production do get paid more than office personnel. It is their work that is bringing in money that is paying the bills.
If you are unhappy with your rate of pay, ask for a raise. If it is refused, try finding a different job that will start you off in the same pay range with opportunity to move up. Be warned that in this economy, that may not be an easy thing to do.

Answer 6

Yes, it is all gender related. Women can be more stupid.

Do you have the education to back up your expertise? If you do not even have an associates degree in business, you will not find another job that pays you more. You must get credentialed and then ask for your raise. If you do not receive at least a 15% increase, you are selling yourself short. Otherwise be grateful in this recession that you even have a job.

I think if you look at it from a business stand point they can train another dumb@$$ to do the same exact job you do now, and pay them even less. Your best bet as an uneducated person is to hang in there, wait for your boss to retire and maybe in the meantime get a degree, and they may just hire you into her job. (or if she slips up, you'll be ready and waiting to fill that opening)

Answer 7

not necessarily...you're comparing yourself to the wrong people...your husband does a different job than you and the other woman has been there for 10 years longer...what you need to do is compare your job to others in the industry...take a look at http://www.salary.com and put in your info and see where you fall on the scale...

Answer 8

Yse, it does sound like you're being discriminated against. You need to contact your employer and express your concerns. I hope your job has an open door policy b/c I'd hate for you to lose your job for asking a question. Good Luck

Answer 9

Get into the job market to find out what your skills are worth. If you find another job for more money, you can decide whether or not you want to leave "the devil that you know". I wish you luck.

Answer 10

Okay so she is the office manager what eactly does she do? because it sound like to me you do the office managers job.