post hire HR questions

[Anonymous]

I hired an employee a couple of years ago and that employee is asking for a raise based on an old job but I think she's not telling the truth about her salary. can I call that company and ask for her income? I know her last employer (before us) and confirmed that salary but she's telling me she earned more at the one before that (and I didn't confirm that one). She's been with us 2 years.

(I don't have an HR department and I"m guessing that's obvious)

[Anonymous]

I don't think that you should give her a raise on her old job, whatever her salary. The raise should be based on performance. And I know that at my org we are told never to disclose that kind of info.

[Anonymous]

First of all, I don't think you are likely to get that information. Second, and most important, I don't think it's relevant, especially since we are talking two jobs ago (if I got that right from your description), and more than 2 years ago. Once you negociate an offer, the subsequent raises should be peformance based. However, if you think what you are paying her is below the market for this type of position/skill set, that might be worthy of a consideration.

[Anonymous]

Old job is irrelevant at this point. If she has a current offer for that salary, that would be different.

[Anonymous]

I don't think that you should give her a raise on her old job, whatever her salary. The raise should be based on performance. And I know that at my org we are told never to disclose that kind of info.

True.

[Anonymous]

Pay her based on the benefit to your org, not her past salaries. This is why I effing hate when companies ask for my salary history -- shouldn't matter.