How to find out if I'm getting paid same as my coworkers?

[Anonymous]

Also, much about how someone is paid is (sadly) determined by how they have managed their career. There are many times when it pays to change jobs and in this case perhaps your co-worker made more in his prior position - - or perhaps he negotiated harder than you did. I have done a ton of hiring and except where the position was a lock-step (law firm associate) and sometimes even then, each persons individual situation/total comp. was considered before hiring.

Also, don't forget that when raises are handed out not everyone gets the same rating and percentage increase.

Maybe you don't make as much but you should find out the market for what you do, take in to account your performance and if it makes sense ask for a raise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guidestar.org will show you your employer's Form 990 which lists the compensation for all officers, directors, "key" employees plus the next top-five highly compensated after that. If your colleague is not in that group, then his comp. won't be listed. But you can still tell a lot about comp. practices within the organization by viewing that information. You do have to register to use Guidestar, but it's free.

Thanks, I've checked that and we don't fall into that category. It is very difficult to extrapolate to my situation.

[Anonymous]

You could go the honest route and tell your boss that you've had some conversations with X that suggest his salary is considerably higher than yours, which surprises you because you seem to have similar credientials (education and experience) and that while you think he does great work, you don't understand why his salary might be significantly higher than yours, can you talk about possibilities for a raise or what you need to do to earn a higher salary. Sorry -- I know that's rather jumbled and I'm sure someone else can help you sort it out, but my point is just that you can use this as an opportunity for a discussion on the topic.

[Anonymous]

Two points:

1. Be careful about revealing what you know. In some companies, employees aren't allowed to tell other employeed what they make. Make sure you know the rules or you could get both you and your co-worker in trouble.

2. Studies have shown that women often make less than men in similar positions because they don't negotiate. I know in my own career, I've been so pleased to get an offer that I just took whatever was offered to me (and I'm in a pretty high paying field, so I didn't want to seem greedy), while the men were negotiating for higher pay -- and almost always got it. If you think you deserve more, make the case for it and ask.

[Anonymous]

Also keep in mind that making a case for higher pay is about you and how you add value to the organization, and how you exceed expectations for your position. It is not ever about how a co-worker doing a similar job is paid more.

[Anonymous]

15:40 - on the money.

I've seen a SIL (of boss man) cause trouble in a company by opening her big mouth. She was overpaid, barely contributed to the company in any positive manner (she was toxic), but didn't know when to STFU. She was the first to go when the opportunity presented itself.

You have to be able to back up your request with your own contributions to the company; not because (whoever) makes more; or what you think the company should be doing for you.

[Anonymous]

2. Studies have shown that women often make less than men in similar positions because they don't negotiate. I know in my own career, I've been so pleased to get an offer that I just took whatever was offered to me (and I'm in a pretty high paying field, so I didn't want to seem greedy), while the men were negotiating for higher pay -- and almost always got it. If you think you deserve more, make the case for it and ask.


OP here. When I was hired I tried very hard to negotiate a better salary but they did not budge an inch. I really wanted this job, though, so I took it in hopes of being to negotiate something later. Have not been able to negotiate anything beyond the 2% COLA that everyone got. I still really like this job, I like the people, the work and the environment for the most part. I would just like be compensated fairly. Oh, and I have an advanced degree and said co-worker does not. You would think that would count for something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2. Studies have shown that women often make less than men in similar positions because they don't negotiate. I know in my own career, I've been so pleased to get an offer that I just took whatever was offered to me (and I'm in a pretty high paying field, so I didn't want to seem greedy), while the men were negotiating for higher pay -- and almost always got it. If you think you deserve more, make the case for it and ask.


OP here. When I was hired I tried very hard to negotiate a better salary but they did not budge an inch. I really wanted this job, though, so I took it in hopes of being to negotiate something later. Have not been able to negotiate anything beyond the 2% COLA that everyone got. I still really like this job, I like the people, the work and the environment for the most part. I would just like be compensated fairly. Oh, and I have an advanced degree and said co-worker does not. You would think that would count for something.

Quality of work produced counts more than degrees after you're hired.

[Anonymous]

What PP said - or, is your advanced degree contributing constructively to the company's business? If so, say so. If not, doesn't matter to them.

[Anonymous]

You must prepare and argue your case really well (this coming from me who cannot argue anything at all ), and like a PP said, make it all about what you bring to the company, not about how unfair it is that so-and-so gets more than you.
I have been slightly perturbed when listening to DH negotiate his opposing number down into the ground - it really takes ruthlessness, more than just psychology.