[pepperonipizza]

For my first six months at my current job, I was making $750 per month less than everyone else (after taxes). Yes, I was making substantially less for doing the same job as everyone else, even working harder than some of the others. Everyone at my company comes in at the same salary, with the exception of me due to me having 3 months-1 year less initial experience than their target candidate.

I have since been brought in line with everyone else, but am unsure if I should try to bring up the fact that this is bothering me. The truth is, yes, it does bother me greatly, because I work very hard, received great reviews, and did not need any additional guidance than the more experienced people at the firm. Further, I bring a skill (bilingual – and I actually do use my other language on the job) and I live in a very high cost-of-living country (think Luxembourg, Switzerland, etc.)

Additionally, I was lied to before I took the job – was told that I’d only be making X amount less than everyone, but the amount less was actually nearly TWO times greater. So, I thought I’d be making $415 less per month (which was still unfair but my naivete and lack of self-worth back then allowed me to justify it), but it turned out to be $750 less!

I have been advised to not cause too much of a stink due to the positive opinion of me at the firm, as it is not generally looked well upon to complain about such matters. But needless to say, it is a bit unfair.

What should I do?

*Note: this is not in the U.S.

[alboreland]

I think you should compare gross salary. After taxes can depend on so many factors like exemptions and where the person lives. You also have to factor in 401K, health insurance and maybe even travel expenses.

[mla1169]

How long have you been there in total? If less than a year I wouldn't bring it up.

Also if you compare yourself to your peers you're likely to be disappointed for the rest of your career. If you feel you are worth more elsewhere look around and see if you can get a better offer. At most companies “it's not fair” really doesn't hold much impact.

If you're close to due for an annual review prepare your points about your value added including your second language. I'd leave out any discussion about what others make as it is not relevant.

FAR- 77
AUD -49, 71, 84
REG -56,75!
BEC -75

Massachusetts CPA (non reporting) since 3/12.

[Anonymous]

I've attended a seminar recently and learned that if employee A and B got hired at the same time, doing the same job/position, they both deserve equal pay. If say employee A is paid more than B, and employee B has learned about the fact, B can sue the company in violation of “equal pay act”. So make sure when you compare, consider also the length of service. I'm not an expert, but you can Google it.

I guess it will not hurt if you ask, but make sure you have proven enough that you deserve more than what you get right now.

[Pandarama]

@ CPAby2015, idk if the “equal pay act” would hold up too well. There's probably a million things the employer could say to get around the act…. example: employee A negotiated their salary well, employee B just accepted the salary. Also, that act is primarily for sex discrimination (women making less than men).

It sounds like the original posted was only making the lesser amount for 6 months. At the six month mark, the person was brought to match the rest of his peers…. Personally, I don't see what the problem is. Just because you worked as hard as them in the first 6 months doesn't mean the employer owes you back pay, ESPECIALLY if they kept their word and brought you up to match your peers after that time period. I'd be happy that the employer kept to their word about that alone.

BEC - 80
AUD - 64, 75 - credit lost, 90!!
REG - 73, 74, 83
FAR - 61, 72, 85

Feels good finishing on my best note. Time to watch the mailbox.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

I dont get the issue. You have less experience than youur peers and they are taking a chance with you. Give it 2 years and then complain if you are still making less than new hires.

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[fuzyfro89]

Pay is not about “fairness”. You don't have a *right* to anything.

If you were getting paid more than all your peers, would your employer have a case to lower your pay?

Negotiate from a position of strength (i.e. “I think I am worth X because of accomplishments A, B, and C.”). If they refuse, which may very well happen at your annual or semi-annual review, then you have the obligation to market yourself and determine your real value by soliciting a (better) competing offer.

“I have since been brought in line with everyone else…”

Does this mean there is no longer a salary difference? What exactly do you want, back pay? Good luck with that.

[ScarletKnightCPA]

I think he means that he has gotten up to speed with the work.

I really don't get what the issue is here. He has less experience as a new hire, and less experience than others that been there for longer, but he expects to be paid the same?

Far: 76 (Wiley Test Bank)
Aud: 77 (Wiley Test Bank)
Reg: 61, 76 (Wiley book, Wiley Test Bank)
Bec: 86 (Wiley Test Bank)

MBA in progress

[hvansaders]

If you have since been brought in line with everyone else, then I don't see what the issue is anymore. Also you should be comparing gross salary as after tax has too many other factors to consider.

[Uhartsoccer21]

haha the guy was just asking a question ^^ relaxxx. I only have 1.5 years experience and I felt the same way until it was explained to me. It really is about leveraging yourself .. if you have a basis to leverage, I do not yet :(. But let me flip the question, at what point do you start to build leverage for yourself when negotiating the salary? After two years? after you pass the tests? licensed?

A - 89 10/23/2014
R - 90 2/27/2014
F - 75 5/25/2014
B - 83 8/28/2014

[tomq04]

I haven't read all replies, but you MUST compare this to PRE-TAX incomes, after tax is totally irrelevant in an employers mind.

REG- (1) 76
FAR- (2) 64, (5)74, (7)83 (Over achiever!)
AUD- (3) 70, (4) 75
BEC- (6) 75

[StephAV]

I think you should get over it or look elsewhere. I feel like maybe this story isn't very relatable to us in the US??? Here I don't know exactly what my peers are making and expect to make the same and I definitely wouldn't expect my net pay to be the same… Your pay should be competitive with the going market rate and if isn't you can ask for an increase based on that, not what your co-workers are making.

FAR - 7/13 - 72, 11/13- 74, 2/14- 82!!! Best score ever (for me)!!!
BEC - 1/14 - 75!!! Perfect score! First Pass! YAY!!!
AUD - 8/14 - 80!!!
REG - 5/14 - 72, 10/14 - 66, 1/15 - 78 - DONE FOREVER!!!
I did 5 of the UNA and CPAExcel classes to earn units.

[005]

Welcome to the club.

BEC - ✔
REG - ✔
AUD - ✔
FAR - 11/29/14

CPAExcel, Ninja MCQs, and a sh*t ton of coffee

[Anonymous]

Uhartsoccer21

For us in smaller tax practices, the leverage is when if you left, how many clients would leave with you. That's when you have leverage.

[Author]

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