Others are Being Paid More for the Same Job as Yours? Ask Yogesh Sood
Dear Yogesh,
I have been working in the operations department of a company, and I really love what I do. I was offered a promotion and got so excited that I quickly jumped to it. Little did I consider the change in compensation didn’t reflect the increased responsibility.
Here is the problem, I recently discovered that certain individuals who are doing the same work as I am, are making significantly more than I made.
I became very angry when I first discovered it and considered quitting; however, my partner persuaded me to take a step back and thoroughly consider it. Everything appears to be so inconsistent and unreasonable that I can barely think straight.
What is your take on this?
Regards
Damini
Dear Damini,
I can understand how disturbed you are. When we see things to be unreasonable, a wide range of stress chemicals are released in our brains. Your partner’s recommendation is good: it is important that you take time and consider the circumstance.
Let me start by saying I'm not a specialist on this subject, but rather I'm someone who has been exploring the working environment. I've worked with numerous clients who have ended up experiencing the same thing as you. You can only control your reaction to the current circumstance. You can likewise take a look at the part you might have played in permitting it to work out.
There are high chances about the fact that you were offered something, and out of a humble, enthusiastic response, you took it. Without thinking or considering other opportunities or numbers, you were prompt to take that opportunity and didn’t have the feeling to negotiate your way. It can also be the fact that you did the same thing when you were offered your first job and the position after that. However, the other guy who has more or similar income than you are probably negotiating his way up. He could have negotiated when he was offered the job and even when he was offered a similar position as yours.
It has also been noted that managers all over have a job to convince a person to do something in the lowest salary band possible. The salary rates are set as per market price, and if a manager can get someone willing to do the job for the lowest reasonable offer, then good for them. It is not their job to remind employees or even give the opportunity to them to negotiate. So, coming back to your situation, you might have agreed to say yes to a position that doesn’t offer you as per your sudden change in mindset. However, the big question that remains is, What Now?
I would like you to raise this issue to your manager and explain the whole situation. Tell her how your decision was based on excitement, and you were quick to act upon it. You can negotiate for compensation or a bonus based on performance and a bigger raise at your next performance review. There are loads of ways of resolving the issue. But, again, you have to be the one to raise it. And it is also important to not blame anyone for the situation or act like a victim.
I would warn you against quitting out of bitterness. If you are not able to get the offer as per your expectations, then perhaps you could begin looking for another job. Yet, assuming you love the work and the organization, it should not be left in a hasty decision. Basically, allow your managers an opportunity to listen to you and work with you to correct the circumstance.
In the event that they will not, stick around for your opportunity, get your involvement with the new position, and afterward, go get something different. Also, if you manage to find a new job, do not forget to negotiate your first offer.
I trust this incident helps you move forward and help you fight for what is essential to you later on — and that you will constantly recall it when everything changed for you.
Regards,
Yogesh Sood
The above is an adaptation of a blog written on MARCH 19, 2022, MADELEINE HOMAN BLANCHARD.