Being paid less than a "junior" colleague [duplicate]

Question

I'm a senior developer and team lead that's been with my company since leaving college. I've recently found that a colleague, who was hired last year as a senior engineer (so a step below me technically) is on roughly 20% higher wages than I am.

Two years ago I asked for a wage increase when I took on the team lead role and was told no the money wasn't there. I received my cost of living adjustment this year plus a raise which amounted to 12%. The 20% difference is after this was applied so this time last year I was closer to 30% below my colleague.

Given that I was refused this raise in the past how should I approach the conversation. My initial thought is to mention to my manager that I discovered the wage being paid to my colleague and mention that I would like to discuss the situation later in the week.

Edit - Thanks all just some clarifications from the comments.

1. My colleague has less overall experience than me and I am also a senior developer, not just a team lead. I perform the menial team lead stuff as well as actively developing.

2. I'm also looking around for another opportunity, that's not what I'm asking about. What I'm looking for is an approach to the negotiation.

3. IANAL (I am not a lawyer) but I believe that salary rates are not confidential in my country or contract

4. My colleague has handed in his notice so it's natural for discussion of salary to have come up between us

Answer 1

Your value to the organisation isn't based on on your colleagues pay, as much as that sucks in a situation like this.

If you want a pay rise in your current workplace then you will need to give your manager reasons why you deserve more than you currently make. Your colleague earning more than you is not that reason - it needs to be based on what you deliver.

If you're being paid less than the market rate for your level of experience in your area then your best bet is to find a new position in an organisation that's prepared to offer you what you think you're worth.

Answer 2

It's definitely worth negotiating your salary again with this new information.

Ask for time to discuss your role and salary with your manager. Make it clear before the meeting that the purpose of the discussion includes negotiation of your current compensation. This allows your manager to come prepared with an understanding of what is possible and what isn't.

Be specific with your proposal. Let you manager know exactly what you are requesting in compensation - don't just say "I want a raise." If you are more senior than your colleague, it would be reasonable to ask for at least that level of compensation.

You don't need to reveal why you are asking for a raise. Your compensation is about you and your capabilities, not what others are earning.

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Unfortunately, it may be the case that your manager is limited in how much of a raise they can offer you once you're an employee. It isn't uncommon for a manager to have much more flexibility with compensation during hiring than for existing employees.

Good luck with the conversation!

Answer 3

The easiest way to get a raise is to get a new job

You can revisit with your boss, but you're probably best pointing out salary difference relative to the market, not an individual coworker. Make sure you know the going rate in your city, then go to your boss. Realize they still probably won't have the money for a raise.

If you don't get a raise, consider getting a new job.

Answer 4

Your employer owes you nothing in regards to wages. You chose to accept and work for the wage. Having said that, if they plan on keeping employees happy, they should pay market value, and it's not unreasonable that you should expect to be paid what you're worth. If your employer doesn't pay you, you can go elsewhere and get it.

All that said, how do you approach the subject with management? I'd personally shy away from saying "Bob is getting xxxxx per year...why can't I?" I think it just portrays you in a bad light. I'd be wary of telling the boss you've been discussing it with coworkers.

I'd just come out and make the case that you're making below market value, and that you know that there must be money there, because they've been hiring. If they value you, they'll give you the raise. Be prepared to start looking for a job. Oftentimes, significant salary increases only come when a person switches jobs. Far too often, employers don't realize it costs more to hire new employees than to just give a raise.

Answer 5

You Can't.

They will not ready for this negotiation OR you will get some more peanuts.

I'm a senior developer and team lead that's been with my company since leaving college

and

colleague, who was hired last year

This comparison is the problem.

Based on my own experience in India, this comparison will never work.

I am earning almost 40% less than the current market salary and my company is hiring people from outside by paying that 40% more salary than me.

But, they are not at all ready to negotiate with me.

because, they are believing that I will be with them and will not go to other company.

Anyway I am going to be here, So why they need to pay me more?

So, I suggest that don't compare your salary with anyone.

Else if you really want that salary, go and get it.

Answer 6

My initial thought is to mention to my manager that I discovered the wage being paid to my colleague and mention that I would like to discuss the situation later in the week.

Don't mention that you know how much your colleague is being paid. In most companies, salary/wages information is meant to be confidential. Secondarily, salary/wages are paid based on what each individual negotiates for themselves and accepts. It's up to you to negotiate the salary/wage you want. Leave your colleague out of it.

If you believe that you're worth more than be prepared to show why you are worth more and then ask for the raise you think you deserve.

If you don't get the salary you think you deserve then you have only two choices:

1. Continue with your current company at the salary/wage you have now.

2. Find a job elsewhere that will pay you the salary you desire.

Answer 7

There will be always salary discrepancies:

• Some people negotiate better than others;
• some people enter the job, in a better job market than others;
• some need to be paid more to recruit them away from the last job;
• some have some talents commanding a higher salary on the market.

In theory, it is none of your business why they do make more than you; in practice, it is justifiable to ask a boss, in certain scenarios, why receiving less.

In my first job, where I was green, and got recruited with a lower salary, when I helped recruit a friend to come on board commanding a higher salary, I saw through it that I was badly paid, and had that conversation. My friend was sightly older, more experienced in life than me, but it was much less IT smart. At least they had the good sense to make our salaries equal.

So if you feel you as a leader are earning less, are worth more, and the excuse was money not being there, I would not do without other angles, but would also use the knowledge of the salary of other person. Knowledge is power. The most it can happen is being said no.