With the same background: If you found out you made less than co-workers of another gender, what would you do?

Question

I hear people say that there are laws against pay discrimination, so of course, most businesses are following the law. I don't know about that, but if you found out you made less than your co-workers, even though you all had the same education, experience, and skills, what would you do? Would you worry about being fired if you protested? or worry about being black-listed in your field? do you think anyone would believe you? Could you be fired for discussing your salary?

Answer 1

I am a serious high stakes poker player. I take money honor matters very seriously. My pay is my survival. Anyone mucking with my pay is mucking with my survival. That makes him or her my enemy. Something primeval growls within me when I get mucked with in this matter. Women who worry about "getting fired" if they protest are wimping out of Life's basic reality: It's a struggle. And, only those who stand up to threats prosper. To survive above sheepdom, people must stand up for themselves in the face of ANY such threat. It is not "nice" to be mucked with in this matter. It is savagery cloaked only lightly in a veil of mealy-mouthed civility. I usually go for the jugular when I learn someone is cheating me out of my money.

The last time someone cheated me out of pay like this, I had him arrested for corporate fraud in another matter. I am describing a tone of voice here that is REQUIRED in business. If women think they can venture into business and contracts of employment and survive as anything less than sheep without that tone, they are going to get screwed over and over and over. But, all it takes is establishing just once, usually, that tone, that brick wall of seriousness and guts, for employers to treat you ever after with much more serious consideration. Women who get to sit on the Board of Directors are selected BECAUSE they are serious and are willing to stand their ground in the face of threats.

Answer 2

I'd figure there was a reason that other person was making more than me and I'd ask some questions. Could it be that the other person was related to the employer, could it be they owed someone who saved their life extra money for their kindness, could it be that they know the person outside of work and they are doing odd jobs on the side like painting their house or driving the car for their elder mother, or I'd wonder if maybe their grades in college were better than mine or they went to a better college, or if maybe they went to the same college as the employer did (and the employer gave them a raise so that they would contribute a donation to that college), or maybe that other person does a lot of in-office jobs that I don't know about like collecting donations for a member of the office who is running for political office, or well gee...there are lots of reasons why their pay may be better than mine.

I don't think there is a problem with discussing salary if you're salaried because you sign a contract from the start with your employer as to what you'd get and how to determine your commissions.

In some states though there is a "work at will" state law which says you can get let go at any time for any reason and the employer doesn't have to tell you why they let you go. So if they want you gone they may say it's because you discussed salary, or find any reason in the book for letting you go.

Answer 3

What are the "same" education, experience, and skills? No two people have the same education, experience, and skills. More importantly, what about responsibilities and performance? What about cooperativeness, foresight, and other intangibles? There's also seniority, which can confer a depth of experience within a particular organization and predictable reliability that employees with shorter employments lack. And how easy is it to replace you? If there are thousands of others looking for a job like yours, with qualifications and performance as good as yours, then this is going to depress your salary.
___The bottom line for your pay ought to be how much you contribute, directly or indirectly, tangibly or intangibly, to the organizations's bottom line, and how easy it is to replace you. Value to the organization, supply and demand. In the economic domain, it's supposed to be about the economics. If you're underpaid after considering all these factors, then you're justified in bringing up your pay and qualifications to your employer, and in expecting a valid explanation or else a raise.

Answer 4

Your terrific course is to ask for a strengthen. do no longer point out which you observed what the different worker makes. that's barely aggravate or embarrass administration. once you ask for a strengthen you will desire to to do it in letter form affirming each and all of the stable issues you have accomplished and which you have basically had one strengthen. This additionally delivers a threat to evaulate your self and in spite of if or no longer you have carried out as nicely as you think of you have. Employeers like somebody who may well be self-severe and lifelike of their skills and paintings to strengthen them. they might or won't supply you a strengthen. At that element you have the determination of sticking the activity out or start up finding for yet another activity on the pay which you think of you deserve.

Answer 5

If I found out I was being payed less than my co workers, I would def. let my boss know about it.
If I was just as much an asset as the other people are, he has no real reason to fire me.
And if he doesnt increase my pay, I would quit, and try to find a place atleast funner, if not, I would just...go to a place more boring, but payed more lol

Answer 6

Ever heard a 'Super Model' demand equality of pay with Male Models? No, and You never will! Stand up for the rights that were won for You in the work place by the generations of Men and Women who worked for base wage.Seek the advice of a Union Official. It is Your right to abtain he facts.

Answer 7

I'd verify, and if true, resign and let the HR director and my immediate supervisor know why. The worst punishment I could give the company would be to deny them of my talents. Then, I'd go find someone who paid me what I felt I was worth.
And my assessment of my worth would be higher than before, knowing that others at my level were making more.
This has happened to me once in the past, and that is exactly how I handled it, and it worked out very well for me. That would be my advice to younger people who feel that they are being paid less than their market value.

Answer 8

I remember discussing this in class last year, I think the best thing to do would be make the problem public and take it to court. Honestly, if they're discriminating against you in the first place I would take it as a sign to find a company that DOES follow the law.

Answer 9

same background doesnt mean you have the same skills

same education, experience, and skills dont mean you can produce same amount of products as the others.

if that person works longer than you, he/she should earn more.

and if that person has more influence. he/she should earn more

if that person knows the boss more or has a better relationship, well, you gotta get over it.

LOL! before you protest, talk to your employer 1st.

Answer 10

I would calmly explain to my boss that I think I deserve a raise, since I have been just as productive and skilled as my colleagues. Negotiation couldn't hurt.