Can my employer legally pay a collegue of mine more for doing the same job?

Question

I have just discovered that a work collegue is paid more than I currently am. Does anyone know the answer and the law to quote?

Answer 1

Look at it this way.

If they hired a new guy right now to do the same thing you are doing, would you expect the new employee to make the same thing you are making when you've been there longer?

Or, if there was some guy that showed up for work late, did the bare minimum to get by while you are working your butt off, would you expect him to make the same as you do?

Maybe your colleague is putting in more effort or has more experience or has just been there longer so has gotten more raises.

If I am an employer and I have two employees doing the same job but I have one that works a lot harder, I'm going to give the one that works harder a better raise then the one that doesn't.

And there is no law against that. The only possible exception is if you are in a Union where everyone gets paid the same no matter if they work hard or not. Union Contracts can be helpful in getting better benefits but they really screw people over that want to get ahead by hard work.

Answer 2

Yes he can. There is no law that states that he can or can not.

Many times people are paid differently for the same job for various reasons. One main reason it experience. People with more experience usually get a bigger pay check. There can be other reasons also like education.

It should not bother you. When you started at work, you agreed to the salary offered you. not to the other person.

Answer 3

There is no law regulating employee compensation for similar responsibilities. The employer has the right to assess the performance of each of his employees and reward them either based on their contributions to the business bottom line or not based on their contributions to the bottom line.

Sorry.

It would be different only in a unionized environment in which a contract would spell out terms and conditions.

Answer 4

Sue 'em if you want. But good luck seeing any of the money. If it bothers you that much then just ask them why there is a difference in pay.

People are people. Be honest with them and they'll be honest with you. Be a jerk about and you'll get the same back.

Answer 5

Of course he can---I happens all the time! Rarely do you employees making exactly the same hourly wage.
Many factors can account for the difference in wages like longevity within the company, higher education, years of experience, merit increases. and I hate to say it but, gender is often a factor as well.

Answer 6

Yes he can, unless there is a contract that states otherwise. You are both employees at will, therefore, you can be paid the same or differently.

Answer 7

yes