Message #61501

[raindance]

I was in a similar situation when I started my current employment, but thankfully my situation was rectified after a couple of years.  Long time to wait, but patience brought me a lot of rewards.

Before you next meet with your manager to discuss any pay award, I would suggest you research the way your company awards pay increases and fixes pay levels.

You may have a case for a substantial upgrade in salary on the grounds that the work associated with your post has the same value as that of the other PAs in your company, and therefore you should not be disadvantaged on the grounds of length of service, gender, age or anything else.

There are a number of methods to evaluate posts and fix them within a hierarchy of posts within a company and a pay structure.  However, most methods would include some reflection on knowledge, skills, responsibility, contacts and complexity, and a nod in the direction of the market rate for that type of job.  

I would expect most posts with broadly the same characteristics to have similar levels of pay.  Some companies offer an incremental pay scheme where there are few "steps" up the pay spine, with the top of the pay scale being reached within three to five years (thus avoiding the possibility of allegations of discrimination).

When you meet with your manager, I would suggest that you listen to what he has to say and then state your case.  It is unfortunate that your colleague discussed her salary, and in some companies that would be a disciplinary matter.  However, it is to your advantage because you have some ammunition.  And unless your boss is the owner of the company, remember that he is an employee too and it isn't he who is offering you an increase; it is the company.

The alternative is to take whatever is offered if it is reasonable and use your current employment as a stepping stone to something with enhanced pay.  

I am sorry that you are feeling sore about this - I would be too - but I wish you well in your negotiations and hope you will let us know what happens.  

Best wishes,

Raindance