A tale of two workers

New / HR
AUJJ41

New HR

AUJJ41
Sep 12, 2019 25 Comments

Trying to keep this brief and am unbiased as possible.
I have a co worker that now makes significantly more than me, and I have no clue how to deal with this.
I started with the company 5 years ago as basically a receptionist with no direct experience. Shortly after, our office had some unexpected turnover that lead to me taking on a lot more responsibility, which eventually led to a promotion.

About two years ago our office hired another person with my same title. She had more experience than myself, and a more relevant degree.
Our compensation at that point was relatively in check, although she made slightly more than me. While we do similar level work, my work load is much greater than hers. In addition, she's a chatter box. I'm often distracted by her talking/gossiping in the office. To get her to stop talking I basically have to block her out, stare at my computer, not respond to her and attempt to work.

A year after she was hired, right around raise time, she threatened to quit, and was given a significant pay increase. Frustrated, I met with my newly hired boss and he told me that she had been hired in too low for her experience and education level. He agreed to change the raise that I had gotten (which was the standard increase) to give me a little more, but not as nearly much as what she got.

Her behavior in the office has remained the same, and she's even had a couple minor performance issues that I am aware of.

Flash forward to now, a year later, it's raise time again. I found out I was receiving the standard increase, which I expected, and was fine with.
Then, I found out that she had been looking for jobs, and got job offer that she was going to accept.

For whatever reason, my boss made her a counter offer, which increased her salary even more. (She accepted) His reasoning was apparently that he did not want turnover in the office (its a very small staff).

She now makes $10000/year more than me. We have the same title, do similar level work, and my days are full whereas she seems to find time to talk constantly. I've never gotten a negative evaluation or have had any performance issues that have been addressed with me. WHAT GIVES! I'm meeting with my boss on Tuesday and I don't even know where to start. How do I work next to someone that's being paid more while doing less?

If you were me, what would you do?

comments

Want to comment? LOG IN or SIGN UP
TOP 25 Comments
  • Oracle
    not_larry

    Go to company page Oracle

    PRE
    Amazon
    not_larry
    You already have the answer in front of you. Get another offer and threaten to quit. Apparently that’s the thing your boss responds to. Caveat: be ready to quit if the boss doesn’t give in.

    I wouldn’t say anything when meeting the boss next week. Wait till you get another offer. Be calm.
    Sep 12, 2019 0
  • This comment was deleted by original commenter.

    • New / HR
      AUJJ41

      New HR

      AUJJ41
      OP
      Yeah I'm playing in a totally different field where 10000 is a lot, trust me!
      Sep 12, 2019
    • Fox News / Eng
      HannityS

      Fox News Eng

      BIO
      15 YOE in Java, includes 8 YOE in Android.
      HannityS
      For every job in every career out there, there's a range of salaries, and not just one fixed number. Your value, your worth, your contributions and what you deserve realistically has nothing to do with how to manage to get toward the upper end of the range. Consider this a learning experience and look out for yourself
      Sep 12, 2019
  • Intel
    LEtestar

    Go to company page Intel

    LEtestar
    I know this is going to sound harsh, but no one is just going to give you extra money because someone else got some. You’re just bopping along oblivious to your actual worth. If she wasn’t there, would you be unhappy with the usual increase?

    Pay attention to you, what you are worth, what you should get to be in the same market. There’s always people that make more than you. So what? It’s on you to negotiate better, not your employer to keep thing “fair”.
    Sep 12, 2019 3
    • New / Project
      qEsh05

      New Project

      qEsh05
      One thing I would caution about in your comparison...

      In comparing your work, you said that you work a fuller day than her, but a comparison that would be more likely to earn you more money would be who completes more work. With her experience, maybe she can get stuff done faster so she has time to be social. I'm assuming that's not the case if there's been performance problems, but just make sure you compare the right things.

      Ditto about things aren't always fair, but if you're a better producer by achieving more/better results, use that.
      Sep 12, 2019
    • New / HR
      AUJJ41

      New HR

      AUJJ41
      OP
      Noted. Thanks!
      Sep 12, 2019
  • Taylor Farms
    azerty_

    Taylor Farms

    azerty_
    Use your experience and jump ship. You are done with this company
    Sep 12, 2019 0
  • New / Eng
    lowTCKillM

    New Eng

    BIO
    Working as Android Developer in an IOT based company
    lowTCKillM
    So you started 5 years ago? Why not change companies till now. I guess, the general rule is no one will give you more salary unless you ask for it. She kind of asked by threatening to quit, so she basically got paid more for it. But, I still cannot understanding, how you know how much pay increase she got? I thought pay was like confidential, unless she actually told you that!!
    Sep 12, 2019 3