Uh-oh.... just discovered that I'm being paid less than the starting salary

[sparklett]

I've been working at my new job for about 6 weeks now. Salary is very comfortable, but when I got my first paycheck it didn't quite look right. Sure enough, I'm being paid $300 less than the starting salary that was posted on the job announcement.

The org. I work for is run by volunteers and I did not receive an offer letter with salary when I accepted the job. I'm also on a contract, but have benefits. After already having been on the job for 3 weeks and working without ever signing anything, two weeks ago I had a contract meeting with the executive director of my org. just 24 hours after she returned from France and it was clear that she was a bit addled. She could not remember the "exact" salary, so she pulled up a monthly salary that sounded good and that was what went on my contract. Unfortunately, it short-changes me by about $300.

So what do I do? Do I have any legal grounds to ask to be bumped up to the base/starting salary? I hate to make waves or sound greedy when I'm so new to the organization, but I think they should at least be paying me the starting salary that was on the job announcement, even though they are already paying me more than anyone else in the entire org.

[JamieCatheryn]

I wonder if you could mention it to the person in charge of hiring or pay in a friendly, non confrontational way. You know, saying how you're confused and think there may have been a mistake, what happened there?

[CarrieMF]

If you signed a contract stating a wage you are probably sol as you agreed to it when you signed it.

[t2009]

I don't know about legal rights, specifically if you signed a contract (besides you probably don't want to appear to come out swinging so to speak) but it sounds like you definitely have a right to speak up and try to get your proper salary. It sounds like this might be an honest mistake on the part of your employer (not quite excusable on their part, but it sounds like you both didn't have the numbers when you sat down to do the official paper work) so treat it as such and in the kindest tone possible bring it to your boss's or HR's attention. You can even use your first paycheck as the starting point--"I was looking over my first paycheck stub and realized that the salary I'm earning doesn't match the salary listed in the job description. I think there might have been a mistake or misunderstanding when we sat down to work out the contract. Can we sit and talk about the numbers for a minute so we're both clear." Etc. If your boss was just returning from a trip and wasn't prepared for your meeting, it seems entirely likely that it was a mistake. On the other hand, if you think her personality would go for it and you're comfortable with the salary, then just let it go if you can.

HTH!

[sparklett]

Thanks everyone!

I sent my boss a very casual e-mail using phrases like "just curious" and "I think I'm probably misunderstanding things here", so I kept it as light as possible.

She e-mailed back with "No problem! A total mistake on my part and we'll update your contract this week."

WHEW! That really could have gone badly.

[SoulCakes]

Nice! I'm glad it was so easy.

Just a little soapbox moment... not speaking up and not wanting to make waves are two of the biggest reasons that women get paid less than men in the same position. Good for you for standing up for yourself!

[Ellien C]

Originally Posted by SoulCakes

Just a little soapbox moment... not speaking up and not wanting to make waves are two of the biggest reasons that women get paid less than men in the same position. Good for you for standing up for yourself!

Yes, YES YES! A thousand times yes. Do not apologize or feel bad for asking to paid what you are WORTH!

[MissLotus]

Originally Posted by SoulCakes

Nice! I'm glad it was so easy.

Just a little soapbox moment... not speaking up and not wanting to make waves are two of the biggest reasons that women get paid less than men in the same position. Good for you for standing up for yourself!

I too want to applaud this statement! ()

I too have had the same "I hate to make waves or sound greedy when I'm so new to the organization" attitude. But it wasn't greedy at all - it's what the description said the job paid. And it's true that many women are less apt to speak up than a man about things. (Why?) I'm so glad you spoke up and got what you deserve.

[sparklett]

Thank you! We are in a very precarious position- I relocated my family 1,000 miles to take this job and I absolutely DO NOT want to rock the boat. But at the same time, I think I'm entitled to at least what is outlined in the job description.

My boss seems to be taking this very seriously- there is a new contract in my inbox right now.

[cchrissyy]

so glad to hear how well this resolved!

[t2009]

SO glad you were able to resolve everything so easily, sparklett!

Originally Posted by SoulCakes

Just a little soapbox moment... not speaking up and not wanting to make waves are two of the biggest reasons that women get paid less than men in the same position. Good for you for standing up for yourself!

YES! ITA but I've also felt the same reticence to speak up for myself at times... Hopefully I'll remember this in the future!

[Quinalla]

Good for you! Yup, women in general definitely have a harder time asking for raises or just to get the salary we are supposed to have, something like this most men wouldn't think twice. I think you handled it perfectly!

[CarrieMF]

I'm glad that you at least asked & they are changing it. Even if they hadn't changed it at least you would have asked.

There was a discrepancy on my paycheck which I didn't notice until I got my paystub. They deducted 7 hours(I work 6.25 a day) at my new wage I got for being there 1 year. Once we figured out what the 7 hours was(from in June when I worked 4.5 hours & took 2 days off, we don't work in the summer) I contacted HR to find out why they took it off at my new wage instead of my old wage. It's a different of approx $12 & they will have it added onto my Oct cheque. It's not a big difference, but some days every cent adds up.

[busymama77]

Originally Posted by Ellien C

Yes, YES YES! A thousand times yes. Do not apologize or feel bad for asking to paid what you are WORTH!

Could not agree more! So happy that things worked out for you!!

[eclipse]

I'm so glad it worked out for you! This happened to my husband when he got hired at the company he currently works for, and it was a PITA to resolve, but they did resolve it (someone had just entered the standard, bottom of the pay scale, starting pay for his position, rather than the salary he had negotiated when interviewing). On the plus side, it was nice to get a big chunk of back pay when they finally got it sorted out.