I have worked for a hospital in California for 3 years and I have 8 years of experience in my field. I just learned that new employees with less experience are being hired on for more pay than employees who have been with the hospital several years with more experience. We both do nearly the same job (the old employees have to take the time to train the newbies) and some of the old employees actually hold a higher position (team leading, supervising) and still get paid less than a new grad. My fellow employees and I are really upset and are trying to figure out how to best handle this. Does anyone know if this is illegal? How would you approach it? I cant quit right now because I am pregnant and I need the benefits for my family. Thanks.
2006-09-23 10:44:39 · 10 answers · asked by wendysorangeblossoms 5 in Business & Finance ➔ Careers & Employment
Wanted to add that we also discovered that the new employees received emails from administration telling them not to disclose their pay to the other employees. They are fully aware that what they are doing is unethical.
2006-09-23 10:52:33 · update #1
No, it's not illegal, as long as it doesn't violate any contract that you have. If you are union, this could be something for you to discuss with them.
You are kind of in a catch-22 here. Typically, employees salaries are not supposed to be discussed with other employees. To go into HR and tell them that you know that new hire suzy is making more than you would be to admit guilt in discussing wages. However, if you saw a classified ad or recruiting ad that lists the entry level base salary as higher than your, then you might have some leverage.
And, you could always hint at it. Talk to your manager about getting a review and a pay raise. Ask for 2-5% over what the other people are making and see if they bite. Your leverage is limited as they know you will be leaving soon on maternity leave, but you *do* stil have some leverage.
Good luck to you. : )
2006-09-23 10:55:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you have a union contract the employer can pretty much do what they want when it comes down to salary. I had a similar thing happen to me at a machine shop. I was there for 2 yrs. and training new employees that were making the same amount of money as me. I ended up quiting. I now work for a unionized Co. and we have a contract that protects us from things like that from happening. Hang in there , have the baby and start looking for a better job or try to organize a union. Good Luck!
2006-09-23 10:58:46 · answer #2 · answered by viper 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
telling new employees not to discuss salary is common practice throughout all fields. the only recourse you have is a union if you are a part of one. if not you'll have to suck it up until you have your baby. another thing to consider is benefits. perhaps the new employees don't qualify for holidays, vacations, sick time, or health insurance for a year or not at all. that saves a company lots of money. or maybe the new employees have an arrangement for a higher salary without those benefits. if all they got was their salary and no benefits the company could easily pay them more than 30% more and still be saving money. you shouldn't jump to conclusions if you don't have all the facts. also unless you have their paychecks the info you heard may not be true.
2006-09-24 02:53:04 · answer #3 · answered by kristen t 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing illegal or unethical about this, you were hired when the market wasn't as tight. You should really consider moving to a new facility and getting a big raise, exploit the tight job market for yourself instead of kicking your can down the street and sulking. The new hires are taking advantage of a tight job market, since you have experience, you have even more leverage.
2006-09-23 10:59:08 · answer #4 · answered by Grrraarrr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm really not sure what you can do about it. It is wrong, but I doubt it's illegal. I worked at a place for 4 years, and they were hiring in people at the same wage I was making, that I'd had to work toward for the 4 years.. not fair at all....
2006-09-23 10:52:57 · answer #5 · answered by ray of sunshine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not illegal. There are a couple of things you can do though. One is to talk to HR and see if the base pay for people in your job category is going to be raised. The second choice is to apply for the higher paying positions.
2006-09-23 10:49:10 · answer #6 · answered by Mariposa 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you friendly with anyone above you? Maybe you could mention you heard about they new employee pay rate and think it is so unfair... if you want to do this the normal way documentation is key.
2006-09-23 10:51:16 · answer #7 · answered by fullofsugaw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe they are related to someone or are good friends with the one in charge or payroll why else would they tell them not to mention it to anyone else in the work place believe it or not there are alot of screwed up employers that hire family and do **** like this we just dont know unless it slips out of someones big mouth . sad but true good luck with the case .
2006-09-23 14:42:12 · answer #8 · answered by BIGL 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's legal, but it shows how much Management appreciates longevity. I would get a group together and have a meeting with upper management and express your displeasure.
2006-09-23 10:54:08 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not illegal - employers claim that it is how they attract better employees - it's happened to me as well.
2006-09-23 10:52:24 · answer #10 · answered by Caroline H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋