| Topic Name: |
negotiation skills |
| Message Name: |
salary negotiation |
| Date Posted: |
05/24/2000 |
| In Reply To: |
During a post-work drink it came out that one of my male counterparts at work (we are on the exact same level, and he started about 2 months after I did) makes more money, and has more stock options than I do. I have always had stellar performance reviews, and can't see how an employer could justify the discrepancy based on performance. I asked my coworker how he managed to get such big increases, and he said "I just asked for more." During my last two reviews, i have asked if the salary/options grants were negotiable, and I was told that they were not. In fact, the last time I asked, my manager acted like I was being greedy, and asked me why I would even want more.
It was a very uncomfortable situation.
Of course we're not supposed to discuss compensation, so I'm not allowed to bring this up with my employer, but it's really disheartening to work knowing this.
Can anyone offer advice on how to deal with this? |
| Message: |
You should approach HR/the boss to let them know that you would like your salary and options to be commesurate with your colleague. It is possible that there is some unseen difference between the two of you, but the MOST likely thing is that he simply asked for more when negotiating salary.
You definitely don't have to fear raising the issue with your boss--especially if you perforamance reviews have been good. No manager in their right mind would hold it against you for asking for more money. In general women don't ask for what they are worth to begin with, and therefore start at a disadvantage. However there is no rule that says you can not renegotiate when you feel like it. In a labor market like this, as long as you are producing quality work no salary request within reason should be denied. Even if you don't get the raise immediately, talking to your boss puts the idea in his/her mind that you aren't quite satisfied, which could lead to an increase when performance reviews come around again.
Go for it!
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