setting the budget and discovered...

pod76

I am an avid boards reader, but first time poster.

I am Irish working in Australia started my current position in September last year in a large Government organisation. My postion is project co-ordinator to whom a two people report to on a big 3 year project. The whole team consists of 16 persons there are are number of formal reporting procedures and it is a complex regulatory project.

So today, I was setting the budget for the Australian financial year 08/09 (starts July 08) and finance had given access to the systems to set time allocations and so forth. Well what to I discover that my salary to whom two people report to is the same as theirs! What! A long walk after that. After my long long walk I said to my line manager there is a reason employees should not have access to salaries this was the only thing I said (as these people were employed prior to me I was not on the interview board).

When myself and my Australian husband moved to Australia last year it was a while since he had been living there and with my naivety of the Australian system I thought that I was on a good comparable income to other interviews that I had been to. I knew I would have to take a small pay cut because of the lower cost of living etc... It's all relative.

Now I discover I am been completely been take the p"£$£ out of and am so angry I am considering my resignation.

Two things I was happy with my wage before I discovered this as compared to friends (in other jobs) I am on a good one. It's not the money it is just the pure principle my value and effort is seen by this organisation to be equitable to people who report to me. I work very hard and have taken additional higher duties as the project manager resigned in November and has not been replaced so I am acting project manager (I did get a slight increase in December because of this).

So my skills, capabilities in my eyes are not been matched by what the orgnaisation is paying me. Yes, it was a new industry to me and yes I was on a steep learning curve however, the skills I have brought to this position and the training and mentoring I have given others is valuable and I have been acknowledged by execs on a few occasions for my work. There is a major shortage of resources in the field that I work in and I have brought qualifications to my that workplace which they did not have before.

Finally, I do like where I work and don't particuarly wish to leave. There is also a confidentiality thing here as I found out in the course of my work it may not be applicable.

Comments please on what I do on Monday morning (no paddy's day here).

Do I leave it or not? My pride is at stake here as I believe what I am being paid is what the organisation values me at!

I really need help on the negotiation side because that is obviously my shortfall any advice would be gratefully received.

EL_Loco

seeing as you're there 6 months how about asking for a review? and working in a pay rise without mentioning the fact you came across the details you did.

If you're happy with your wages then what's the problem, you agreed to work there, for that amount.

Electric

Is there are reasonable explanation behind this? For example if after a year will your salary increase significantly?

Also consider what leaving will mean? Will you be able to find another job with a higher wage straight away?

What I'm trying to say is that it sounds like you are letting your pride get in the way. If you are happy in your job why would you walk away? There are people in my organisation who earn more than their supervisors. This is because they have been there longer and have more experience.

I would not walk away from a job on the basis of this. Talk to your managers first. Mention having your salary reviewed. Don't mention seeing what others were earning whether you stumbled across it innocently or not it will still look like snooping. And don't make this about your pride.

AARRRGH

There's nothing worse than discovering you're on less money than people more junior to you, or even worse, the office retard.

I worked in a place where I discovered I was the lowest paid on the team (even though I was the most technical and one of the most experienced) and the complete and utter moron on the team was the best paid.

It's very disheartening alright.

I made a point of bringing this up prior to my review and I got a 11% raise. However that still kept me on the lowest wage in the team...

Saying all this, I was actually happy with my wage, and I just learnt to accept it.

AARRRGH

Oh, something else I should point out.

Your employer isn't screwing you. You just asked for too little money at the interview. You screwed yourself, basically.

keystone

dublindude wrote: »

Oh, something else I should point out.

Your employer isn't screwing you. You just asked for too little money at the interview. You screwed yourself, basically.

Unfortunately, dublindude is spot on!

I have a Senior Developer in my team and have hired him for less than his sub-ordinates.

Thats business whether it be public or private.

It's up to you to sort it out for yourself with your employer in the guise of asking for a raise.

Note if I were your boss and you came to me for a raise.....I'd be quick to look at your performance before doing anything. Having a tantrum about it would not rest well and would certainly reduce your worth.

Tom Dunne

In my last job, I was being paid the same as another guy I worked with. The difference being, I have a degree and a masters, plus loads of experience. He had nothing.

I left after a year and three months.

Before you consider that, see how the job market is for your skills. I was very lucky because my skills are in high demand, so I had no problem getting a job. Don't walk out into no job because of pride.

pod76

Hi guys thanks for your replies

I concur it was the amount I asked for and I am essentially happy with it.

I just think it's the value that I put myself at (because of my innocence of the salaries here) so I am annoyed with myself firstly.

Re the discovery of others salaries I found this out in the course of my work. We are a timesheet organisation hence the input of time allocations and for each employee. Ethically it was in the course of my work so anyone I would discuss it with would know that I have access, but it is a question of whether to mention this sight at all. Probably not and focus on myself and not compared to what others or earning.

I've being thinking about it over the weekend and my six month probabtion period is due (they don't really notice things like that) and I am going to ask for a review of my work and responsibilities.

On other jobs I am going to to put in my cv for two other positions in other companys I saw over the weekend as I think I need to get a better feel for the market and my own worth. I am not considering leaving presently as I also acknowledge that the project I am working on will give me good kudos in the future.

pod76

A good news story for me today (no paddy's day in oz). I spoke to my executive manager and got a 10k raise. Had a new contract in my paw on the way home.

Focused on my abilities and the absence of a project manager and the likelihood of another being engaged (very slim).

mikeruurds

pod76 wrote: »

A good news story for me today (no paddy's day in oz). I spoke to my executive manager and got a 10k raise. Had a new contract in my paw on the way home.

Focused on my abilities and the absence of a project manager and the likelihood of another being engaged (very slim).

Congrats! It's great to hear that your employer values you even though you've only just completed your 6 months.

The wife and I plan on moving to Oz soon

board om

pod76 wrote: »

A good news story for me today (no paddy's day in oz). I spoke to my executive manager and got a 10k raise. Had a new contract in my paw on the way home.

Focused on my abilities and the absence of a project manager and the likelihood of another being engaged (very slim).

well done and congrats.

its nice to see something working out well for someone. its obvious you arent working in Ireland becuase that would never happen here.

all the best.

AARRRGH

pod76 wrote: »

A good news story for me today (no paddy's day in oz). I spoke to my executive manager and got a 10k raise. Had a new contract in my paw on the way home.

Focused on my abilities and the absence of a project manager and the likelihood of another being engaged (very slim).

Fair play to you!

I think you should give us 100 bucks each for our help and encouragement.

pod76

still grinning my head off. I agree I doubt it would happen in Dublin yeah for big shortgage of resources!

Dublin dude - your cut is in the mail.