Should we get a pay rise?

Question

I work for a great company and enjoy my job. However, at a conference held for all of the employees in August, we were told that all consultants, including new starters would be paid £17,000 per annum. However, at the time I was only on £15,500. Yesterday I received a letter saying that my company were dleighted to inform me that in line with the increase in pay scales they were increasing my basic pay to £15,810. The letter also said that my basic salary was not subject for review until 1/1/08.

I don't think this is fair. Surely, if they are taking on new starters on £17,000 then all of the existing staff should be on the same level. I want to challenge this, but as my branch is not performing that well (I work in sales) I'm worried they will say it is because we have not grown our business enough (although we did show an increase between 2005/2006). I could earn much more if I went to work in the city 20 miles away but don't want to leave this role! What do you think?

Answer 1

Companies pay a price for buying your services.

They will pay what thy can get away with.

To attract new people, they are having to pay £17K.

To keep you, how much do they have to pay ? If its £17K then leave, if its £15810, then stay.

If you never knew about the £17K you would probably be happy, you took the job knowing the salary so presumably were happy with it then. Why does what someone else get affects the way you think ? Salary is relative to your ability and the companies demand for your services, not just a comparison with the person sat next to you.

I'm not saying any of it is right, or wrong, but companies also incentivise new customers in the same way - they get a better deal than existing.

'tis life.

Answer 2

It is not unusual for new starters to be paid more than those already doing the job.

Eventually it all comes down to one fact - new starter is getting more because they were prepared to leave their old Company and get a new job.

Unless you are also prepared to leave, you have little hope of getting a decent deal, however you can always try ...


If a new starter has recently been employed and you know for a fact that they are getting more than you for doing the same job, you have a claim under the Equal Pay Act. If you are asked to 'train up' the new starter, you could have a case for Unfair Dismissal ('Constructive Dismissal').

But it might be a lot better to go and talk to your Manager. You should ask politely why "the Company" is offering more money to new starters and why they are not paying you at least the same, indeed more considering your experience.

Often the Manager is limited by Corporate HR Policy - he/she could well be 'on your side', so try to get he/she to take up the problem on your behalf (i.e. don't suggest it is you Managers fault you are not getting paid enough).

To assist your case you could ask your Manager help with you CV - for example, you could ask 'would you be willing to act as a Reference ?' and so on ...

[I used to manage the Administration Dept. of a large company. I had 2 cases like yours - in the end one was 'uprated' to a higher grade & the other was not. The reason ? ... one of the guys asked for time off to attend job interviews ..]

Answer 3

I regconize your story. My boss did that on a 2005 Xmas speech and said the company did great and we should all get better financially of this. Within 7 months I was sacked, because just didn't like me for speaking out my mind. That was in the Netherlands and the boss was traditional Turkish.

Answer 4

is this in the right section?

Answer 5

Im 18k hahah, in ur face!!!

Answer 6

are you a consultant?

Answer 7

maybe ur crap at ur job?