What would you do if someone you trained now earns more than you?

4 Comments

Long post but if you have time it would be much appreciated...

I'm in the automotive trade, have been working at a medium sized (30ish people) company for around 6 years, managing my own department.

I'm a hard worker & bloody good at my job (hate to sound arrogant but I really am) & well respected by my co-workers &, it generally seemed (until now), by my boss.
I'm not perfect by any means, just good at what I do...

Anyway, around 3-4 years ago a new guy started who had no hands-on experience at the job.
We have different departments which each specialise in a certain area & he was tried at a couple before eventually coming to work for me.
I trained him up & he is now reasonably skilled but still lacks some confidence in his decisions, can be a little unmotivated & would realistically struggle a bit to work unsupervised long-term.

He is an immigrant & some time ago the company had to give him a payrise (part of a government program to ensure people aren't taken advantage of)
I know this because I had to fill in paperwork regarding his duties & sign documents confirming that I had similar duties & was paid a certain amount for them, etc...
This was to make sure he was paid similarly to his co-workers.

Today he had a question regarding his benefits & asked me to check his payslip. I told him to cover his pay rate but he didn't & I saw that he is actually being paid quite a bit more than me, maybe 12% (approx. $7000) per year.
I'm furious!

He's a good person & we are great mates at work but he is younger than me, less experienced, has far less duties, responsibilities, pressure, etc.
I am the manager in our area who has to co-ordinate everything!

I know from previous conversations that this guy thinks I am on a MUCH higher wage than him (probably why he didn't feel the need to cover his pay rate)

I was already unhappy with the amount of work I'm doing for the money I'm on, but this might be the final straw.
I am now tempted to either ask for a raise & give notice if I don't get one or simply just give notice!
I know this sounds selfish but I feel I've been taken advantage of for a long time & that this has just proven it...

Also, I have asked nicely for a payrise a while ago & the boss ensured me it would happen but we have been quiet at work (which is true) which has only recently started to change.
The other guys raise was just before things got bad...

Could be missing some vital info as I'm thinking a million things at the moment!

tl;dr, Just found out a kid I trained who has an easier job than me earns more than me. Not happy...

Demand a payrise or resign 12
Ask for a payrise but accept not getting one 7
Resign without mentioning it 2
Keep quiet 4
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Comments ( 4 )
  • dust
    9 years ago

    I guess it would depend on how easy it would be to find a new job that pays you the same or better than the job you have now. Job security can be valuable in a tough job market.

    Your frustration is understandable. I doubt the difference in your pay has to do with skill. It may come down to timing and/or being persistent in asking for raises.

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  • GiveMeAFuckingNameAlready!
    9 years ago

    I've been in this situation in my case they less experienced younger guy (who no longer works there for being more trouble then he was worth) took my job. There's nothing you can do about it unless this is a small business were everybody knows your name they more then likely only see you as a worker ant. Either find a new company to take advantage of you or stay in this familiar setting.

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  • thegypsysailor
    9 years ago

    Your post is too long for my tiny mind to cope with but "What would you do if someone you trained now earns more than you?" is pretty easy to answer. I'd sit in the corner and cry until I got a raise. I might even have a little temper tantrum, just like every other spoiled, little kid.
    What do you care what anybody else makes? If you make what you think you are worth, then that is all that matters, right? If not, then quit, if you think you can do better somewhere else.

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  • zoffix
    9 years ago

    Just have a rational conversation with your manager. Explain to them the issue that you don't believe you're getting a fair wage, because this other person has fewer duties, but has higher pay. Propose to them the amount you feel would be fair and say that you'd seek more fair employment, if they don't offer that raise. Be prepared to go down a few grand from what you offer, but I'm sure you'll get it.

    Remember, you're just a product. No one's going to pay you more if they think they can pay less. Chances are that dude had to show the company why they should pay him more. Now it's your turn.

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