My colleague and I play the same role, why does she earn more?
My colleague, who has similar education qualifications to mine and does the same job, earns more than I do. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- Your colleague may have joined the organisation on a better salary due to their salary history in previous engagements, hence there will always be a gap in your salaries.
- Market pay for the position with reference to the size and ability of the organisation to pay: You must do your homework by checking how much the companies in your industry and of the same size, pay staff at your level.
Q. My colleague, who has similar education qualifications to mine and does the same job, earns more than I do.
How do I approach my boss so that I can get a salary increment?
There are many factors that influence the salary that an employee is paid.
Length of service: This is a critical factor because the longer the service, the higher he or she will be paid due to the annual salary increment.
Experience in various industries: Certain industries pay higher than others. Your colleague may have worked in such industries, explaining why he or she will earn higher than you.
Changing employers also gives one an opportunity to earn more. The high percentage is to compensate for the risk one takes to change jobs and prove oneself in the new organisation.
Individuals who are poached are also paid much higher than those who applied for a role and went through the recruitment process. Your colleague may have joined the organisation on a better salary due to their salary history in previous engagements, hence there will always be a gap in your salaries.
Performance: High performing individuals enjoy high merit increase annually, putting them on a higher salary compared to their less performing peers.
Professional qualification: Your colleague may also have attained professional qualifications which makes him or her more competitive, hence attracting better pay.
Negotiation skills: Some individuals are better at bargaining for a higher salary than others.
Market pay for the position with reference to the size and ability of the organisation to pay: You must do your homework by checking how much the companies in your industry and of the same size, pay staff at your level.
Weight of the tasks and responsibilities: A marketing manager responsible for a premium brand which is the cash cow for the organisation may be paid much more than the one who handles a less popular brand with less contribution to the revenues.
From this, gauge whether you have a strong justification to warrant a strong review before you start the negotiations. Also, go in with an open mind since the negotiation might either yield results or still leave you at the status quo.
