Hi Nicole,
I work in Sydney in a marketing role and feel completely sidelined by my boss on salary. I accidentally saw a colleague's salary for a similar role on the admin assistant's computer screen one day, and it was $20,000 more than mine. He's been with the company only slightly longer and I believe I do an equally good (if not better) job. There have been no pay reviews in our office for two years but when I've tried to bring that up, I've been fobbed off and told a review was coming. How can the company in conscience pay me less (is it because I am a woman?) and how do I fix it? My motivation has taken a big hit. If the company doesn't care about me, why should I care about it?
Claire, Chatswood
Claire, I don't think you should jump to the conclusion it's a gender thing as such. There's simply nothing to be gained.
While discrimination exists, I also see over and over again an attitude problem - from women. I have a bunch of alpha female friends who don't believe they are worthy of pay rises. It seems a combination of the "imposter" syndrome that so many women suffer from (I don't really deserve this job and they're going to notice any minute) and an ingrained reticence to have financially, and emotionally, charged discussions (They'll think I'm a bitch). Hey presto: the 16.2 per cent pay gap.
So, congratulations for actually asking; your boss is nicely forewarned. Now let's give you a strategy to succeed.
You've inadvertently discovered something about your pay disparity that you just can't reveal. Again, nothing to be gained, much to lose. But you can use it to fortify your resolve (not your resentment). Besides, I suspect your colleague got the jump on you when you were first offered the job – while you probably gratefully accepted the job and conditions, a man is more likely to immediately negotiate.
Although that ship has sailed, keep in mind you could change jobs or upskill to get a better one, inside or outside your company.
Back to now, though. Track down your key performance indicators (or write them if there's no such thing) and knock up a matrix of how you've smashed them out of the park. Collect evidence of your contribution to the bottom line and research what other companies pay for this.
I recommend you also show "corporate compatibility" by looking at issues from the business' perspective – new revenue ideas maybe? Finally, ensure you get a fair hearing by scheduling the meeting with your boss, rather than ambushing him or her. (And how many readers automatically assumed it was a man?)
Nicole Pedersen-McKinnon is a money educator and consumer advocate: themoneymentorway.com. You can write to her for help solving your money problem, or with a consumer question, at nicolehelps@fairfaxmedia.com.au.