CareerMysteries

We were talking about salary comparisons between equal positions and the fact that two people can be in the same job with different pay rates justifiably, though this may not sit well with the lower paid employee.

So, what are your options? One is to talk to your supervisor and if that doesn’t get you anywhere, talk to either HR or your boss’s boss about the situation. If you are still upset and they have no reasonable explanation for the discrepancy, you can look for another job where you will feel more appreciated.

If they tell you the problem is based on poor or marginal performance on your part, you need to consider this carefully. If you have had issues, warnings, errors and the like, maybe you need to work on improving your record with the company.

If you are still concerned after all the factors are considered, you can look at the legal issues. If you are alleging that race, age, creed, color, etc. has anything to do with this, you can consult an attorney, but you will need more than circumstantial evidence. And, if you want to take this road, you better be squeaky clean from a work performance standpoint. Also, realize that lodging a legal or EEOC complaint will tarnish you in the company’s eyes, particularly if you ever wanted to progress into higher levels.

If you have no EEO charge to throw at the company, be advised that they have the right to pay people different rates for the same job unless it is a union environment. My advice in the final analysis is to look elsewhere. Find another position where you will feel more appreciated and will start with a clean slate. It is better to do this than to be an unhappy complainer. Take your future in your own hands and make it the best it can be.