When A Co-Worker Makes More Money

In most organizations, compensation is not made public, but what if you stumble on information that alerts you that a peer is making more than you in a similar position? Writing in the Harvard Business Review, Rebecca Knight, a senior correspondent at Insider and former Wesleyan University lecturer, suggests what to do — and not do — in this situation.

Do:

• Remain calm:  It's natural to feel angry, but the goal is to move beyond emotions and get more compensation. Take time to process and plan your approach.
• Talk to your manager: There is no point in dwelling on how you discovered a pay discrepancy. Just say, “I recently discovered…” Then inquire “What can I do to increase my chances of getting a significant pay raise at my next review?” Remember this is a conversation about you and the value you bring to the company,
• Contact HR:  With your manager’s understanding, reach out to HR for context and a better sense of the pay range for positions like yours.
• Be realistic:  If a big raise isn’t possible, think about other ways to address the gap, such as a one-time bonus, additional vacation time, or additional support staff.

As for the don’ts:  Don't be rash or rude.  Don't mention your higher-paid coworker by name (focus on you). And don't stay in a job any longer than you must if your company refuses to pay you market value for your role.

Have you ever had to address a salary discrepancy? How did the situation resolve? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.  We would love to get your feedback.

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