Company paying me the same as a new start

[Harry you Potter]

I have been in my current job role since January last year and have been doing well according to my manager. I have got loads of recognition and have been giving praise for helping other colleagues out with their work plans. I believe I am an asset to the team and always get positive feedback from other members.

The other day we discussed my salary review. I am getting a bonus which I am happy with but the salary increase has really made me think why do I bother going over and above ?

Basically I done some research and learned that the new salary I’ll be on is the exact same as a new start with no experience. I am pretty disheartened by this and tempted to get my bonus then leave.

I was considering speaking to my manager about it but only after the bonus is paid. I’ve never really done this so what would be the best way to approach it. I already know the people I work with are on roughly £5k more than me yet I have been pushed to help them along with my own workload. I also went on holiday the other week and saw that none of the people I have been helping have helped with any of my work.

[CCCS]

I am a number on a spreadsheet, you are a number on a spreadsheet.

Find another job on a different spreadsheet.

[Scabutz]

It sucks, but this is very common, places have to pay over and above to attract new talent, whilst fking over existing employees.

The way to approach it is to gather lots of evidence of where you make a difference, how you have improved things, what value you have added. Its a bit of a sales pitch but it will work. If you go in with a chip on your shoulder and say the useless newbies are getting the same as me it will go against you, I manage lots of people and have had people come to me, highlight why they are different or performing better and respectfully asked or more money and I have given it to them. Ive also had people come to me with attitude and asking why new hires gets the same and its not fair and Ive told them no.

If your manager is smart he knows he will have to pay over the odds to replace you and probably already knows your value, but you highlighting shows that you know you are doing a good job, are a worthwhile asset to the firm and should reward you.

Also though please note even if you do approach it in the right way, you might not get more money. Budgets are tricky things and sometimes even if the company is doing well if your manager doesnt have the budget there sometimes isnt anything they can do.

[gazapc]

Well if you like the job and normally get on with the manager then what is the harm in gathering your evidence and presenting it to them making a case for a payrise.

Worst case they fob you off and say no. If you do get one it at least gives you time to look for the right position elsewhere.

If there are other issues at play that obviously makes it easier to just walk.

[Terminator X]

When I worked for others my rule of thumb was put in the extra yards if / when bonuses or pay rises were around, stop that when they stopped. Consequences need to work both ways.

TX.

Edit - definitely wait until after the bonus is paid if you want to discuss your situation. Mate of mine got his bonus pulled when he handed in his notice.

[Ilovejapcrap]

If I'm reading right you've been with the company a year ?. That would be classed as still new to alot I'd assume.

[Fusion777]

Ilovejapcrap said:

If I'm reading right you've been with the company a year ?. That would be classed as still new to alot I'd assume.

Two years at some.

[dundarach]

You'll learn in life that what you're paid is only relevant to you and you alone!

If you believe you're worth more, either go ask for a pay rise or leave

If someone is paid more than you, for doing much less, hard cheese, see the sentence above.

As you grow older, many more people will get paid more than you for doing less, this is life.

I for example am paid relatively little, however based on the actual amount of work I do, my hourly rate is more than Elon's!

[cliffords]

I often used to recruit people into my team at salaries higher then my own. I can say it did not feel good but market forces dictated.
My option was to ask for more money or work elsewhere.

[AndyAudi]

Op,

I had a look at your profile to see if I could see your Job
as some jobs pay what they do for a role & individual experience doesn’t always really matter unless you’re taking on extra responsibilities. (Insurance Claim Handler?)

If you know others you are working with get more, are they doing anything different you could take on or learn? this could be a subject for discussion with your boss. Possible reason for chat could be to tell him you’re looking to try & boost your income ahead of sorting out your mortgage renewal?

As a “spreadsheet pilot”
Where you probably could be struggling just to get a rise without doing anything extra, I’m assuming you work for larger Co, they are potentially being hit with the national insurance & min wage increases from April onwards so will probably have kept increases everywhere in the organisation within limits & exceptions needing to be justified. (Managers & “higher paids” may be getting smaller % or even no increases this year so might not be overly receptive to individuals asking for more without offering more)

[Muzzer79]

Harry you Potter said:

I have been in my current job role since January last year and have been doing well according to my manager. I have got loads of recognition and have been giving praise for helping other colleagues out with their work plans. I believe I am an asset to the team and always get positive feedback from other members.

The other day we discussed my salary review. I am getting a bonus which I am happy with but the salary increase has really made me think why do I bother going over and above ?

Basically I done some research and learned that the new salary I’ll be on is the exact same as a new start with no experience. I am pretty disheartened by this and tempted to get my bonus then leave.

I was considering speaking to my manager about it but only after the bonus is paid. I’ve never really done this so what would be the best way to approach it. I already know the people I work with are on roughly £5k more than me yet I have been pushed to help them along with my own workload. I also went on holiday the other week and saw that none of the people I have been helping have helped with any of my work.

What research has led you to believe you're on the same salary as a new start?

Why are you considering leaving when you haven't even talked to your manager?

I can understand you're a bit frustrated, but suggest talking to your manager before making rash decisions.

As to how to approach it - be objective and focus on yourself. IME; the worst thing you can do is point to a colleague and claim that how much they are earning is a baseline. Focus on your contributions, your commitment, your good work. Use a recognised salary benchmark if you can, but as a reference point in a bigger picture.

[ChocolateFrog]

You can always ask. I'd think you need to be prepared to actually walk if they say no though.

So maybe be worth sounding out some recruiters while you're waiting for your bonus to clear.

[alscar]

Is this the same job that you posted about back in September as wanting to leave ?
As a percentage of existing salary how much was the bonus ?
What was the percentage of salary increase offered ?

[Tom8]

Never look at what others earn, you will only ever be disappointed. Focus on you and what you do. If you are worth more they will recognise it. If they don't someone else will.

[welshjon81]

From my 20 odd years of professional experience - The only way you will ever get a significant pay rise is to change companies. I have never had a 20% pay rise from staying in the same job but I have jumped 20% numerous times when changing jobs (or threatening to change jobs).

[Countdown]

Playing devil's advocate - if two people (one with 25 years service and one with 0) are doing the same job then if the value of the work is equal there's no reason to pay one person more than the other.

[paddy1970]

Speak to your manager and approach it this way:

1. Start positively by acknowledging the recognition you've received and expressing that you value being part of the team
2. Present facts rather than complaints - mention your research about market rates and the salary discrepancy
3. Focus on your specific contributions and added value compared to a new hire
4. Have a clear idea of what you're asking for (specific salary figure or percentage increase)

[paddy1970]

Countdown said:

Playing devil's advocate - if two people (one with 25 years service and one with 0) are doing the same job then if the value of the work is equal there's no reason to pay one person more than the other.

Experienced employees typically bring additional value beyond basic job requirements:
- They require less training and supervision
- They make fewer mistakes requiring correction
- They understand company culture and processes
- They can troubleshoot problems more efficiently
- They mentor and support newer colleagues
- They can anticipate issues before they arise

The accumulated knowledge and judgment that comes with experience means they often handle edge cases better and make more nuanced decisions. Their efficiency may allow them to handle the same nominal workload with better outcomes or handle more complex variations of the same role.

Edited by paddy1970 on Monday 10th March 11:49

[snuffy]

Harry you Potter said:

Basically I done some research and learned that the new salary I’ll be on is the exact same as a new start with no experience. I am pretty disheartened by this and tempted to get my bonus then leave.

When you say "no experience", do you mean of the role or of your company?

[Countdown]

paddy1970 said:

Countdown said:

Playing devil's advocate - if two people (one with 25 years service and one with 0) are doing the same job then if the value of the work is equal there's no reason to pay one person more than the other.

Experienced employees typically bring additional value beyond basic job requirements:
- They require less training and supervision
- They make fewer mistakes requiring correction
- They understand company culture and processes
- They can troubleshoot problems more efficiently
- They mentor and support newer colleagues
- They can anticipate issues before they arise

The accumulated knowledge and judgment that comes with experience means they often handle edge cases better and make more nuanced decisions. Their efficiency may allow them to handle the same nominal workload with better outcomes or handle more complex variations of the same role.

Edited by paddy1970 on Monday 10th March 11:49

if the existing employee can demonstrate some or all of those to the extent where it has a positive impact on profits then there's a strong case for pay differentials.

I see you're still using ChatGPT to good effect.