My subordinate earns more than I do- suggestions?

**maat55** · 07-15-2009, 06:37 PM

Don't look at others paychecks.

**Hushpuppy** · 07-15-2009, 07:12 PM

Originally posted by maat55 View Post

Don't look at others paychecks.

If you Google "What co workers earn", one of the first websites is entitled "8 Ways to Find Out What Coworkers Earn".

While a quarter of employees admit to snooping to try to find out what co-workers earn, sometimes pay differences come to light by accident. A payslip left on the printer, a human resources error, flashy spending by a co-worker or access to perks like a company car or parking spot, can signal pay differences.

*sigh* Did I really need to explain that?

Your post is unhelpful; I've already seen the paycheck. I've been working for 26 years and this is the first paycheck (other than my own and my wife's) that I've seen. Hardly the track record of someone snooping around looking at paychecks. Perhaps you meant to say, "Never ever look at a single paycheck even if it's lying out in the open and you are staring at a spot inches away from it?" That would be more accurate, however, it's still just as unhelpful.

**GREENBACK** · 07-15-2009, 07:28 PM

I make more than my immediate supervisor...complicated story. Life's so unfair

**ktmarvels** · 07-15-2009, 09:10 PM

Did you get a raise with the promotion to team leader? If not, I'd ask for one. Actually if you are unhappy with what you are making and have proved yourself with the new job and feel you should be paid more, then don't feel bad asking for a raise. I wouldn't mention you know what your co-worker makes and definitely wouldn't stop doing your job to the best of your abilities!

**GREENBACK** · 07-15-2009, 09:28 PM

I wonder if there is a contract/policy in place to address this type of situation. The designation of "team leader" is sometimes a misnomer to indicate that a person is above those he supposedly leads. I haven't worked in an office enviorment for many years but do, somewhat\, remember this type of game. There may be little to debate if something isn't written down somewhere.

**msmorrisonspeaks** · 07-15-2009, 09:55 PM

Originally posted by Hushpuppy View Post

Hi,
New person- first post here, and it comes as a question: I supervise a person who I have just discovered earns over 10% more than me. What can I do?

I am a computer guy with many years in the industry, and my coworker is senior level as well. He was hired about 3 months ago. About 1-1/2 months ago I was made the team leader of our group. This incurs some managerial tasks, project management, reviews of the employee, stuff like this. Typical manager stuff.

Well today he inadvertently left his paycheck on the desk, and while doing some work I needed to look at the board above his desk and- voila'! His check stub was right there, on top of everything, full frontal financials. And I'm like, holy c**p, he makes a ton more than I do.

Any advice? I'm somewhat upset but maybe that's just the way the ball bounces. He earned more at his last company, so he came in higher over here, and c'est la vie. On the other hand, if I'm not getting compensated for my team leadership, why bother? Let him have the headaches, he's earning the big bucks. But then I have to let my management know that I know what I know.

Thanks for any ideas.
-Hushpuppy

Ask for a raise. Use the Salary Wizard Calculator to see if you're making as much as you should. If not, consider asking for a raise, especially if you've been at the company for more than a year.

**swanson719** · 07-15-2009, 10:53 PM

If the company you work for feels he is worth that amount of money, but places you in a managerial position over him, it would seem common sense that you are worth more to the company than him. Thus, you should be compensated better. Now, how you go about making that point to your superiors is a different story. I would ask for a raise, but I don't know how you go to HR and be like "I wan't a 10%+ raise", especially with the economy how it is. Then again, IT people are pretty secure.

**Confetti** · 07-16-2009, 03:13 AM

There are a couple of things to consider here. Maybe you have more deducted from your check than the coworker. Maybe you pay in to health insurance or retirement and he doesn't. I think if you're looking at net pay, you're not comparing apples to apples in all cases.

**MonkeyMama** · 07-16-2009, 05:55 AM

I am an accountant - and I know most people don't understand their paycheck.

Are you sure his GROSS pay was more than yours? Sorry if that insults you, but most people I know would look at the net and freak out - which has nothing to do with actual salary.

Along the lines what confetti said.

If he really does make more than you, gross, I would ask for a raise when the time was appropriate. Could be he is just a better negotiator. Could be he may not get a raise for a while as a result, etc. I would look at it as good news that the company would probably be willing to pay me more if I asked.

**boosami** · 07-16-2009, 07:19 AM

There are a million reasons why someone might be compensated differently than you. Inflation, review timing, salary negotiation, education, gross/net pay, etc.

Just because you have some managerial control over someone does not mean you should get paid more. I've worked on numerous projects where I know I was paid much more as a developer than the project manager overseeing the entire project. The PM had "managerial control" over me, but the skills I brought to the table commanded higher pay because they were harder to find. My skill set was rare, but the PM skill set was a dime a dozen. Supply and demand!

Anyway, the amount of money you make in a managerial position does not affect your ability to manage those under you. You're still the manager whether you make more money or not.

**Fizgig** · 07-16-2009, 07:58 AM

Unless the two of you have similar experience and education, I do not think it's necessarily strange that he earns more.

I work in engineering, and it is pretty common for managers to earn less than some of their subordinates. My manager is eight years out of college, and supervises people with 20-30 years of experience and highly specialized skills. I'd guess that quite a few people in my group earn more than the manager just based off of the pay scales that we use.

Ask for a raise if you think you deserve it on your own merits - not because of someone else's pay.

Just my opinion, of course.

**mom-from-missouri** · 07-16-2009, 08:07 AM

When I worked for the telephone co, contractors made $3 an hour more than I did. BUT, they had no insurance, no taxes coming out, no 401K, no company stock.....Is he possibly a contractor?

**am_vanquish** · 07-16-2009, 08:09 AM

In general, individuals that frequently change companies make more than those who remain with an employer for a long period of time. It sounds like this may be the case here (although I am assuming up to a point). Your subordinate has had his salary "calibrated" with market value each time he changes job. Meanwhile, you have likely been receiving the standard annual salary adjustment each year with your employer. Just another one of the many reasons he may be paid more than you.

Now ... what should you do about it? I think that it's perfectly reasonable for you to ask for a salary adjustment based on your managerial service. What your subordinate makes is irrelevant to your compensation. After you've proven your competency as a manager, do your homework and make a case to the proper authorities regarding your "value." Presenting a valid argument backed my market values in your industry/profession, along with performance metrics from the department that you are now managing will help your case. The key here is to be objective. Have you been able to make your department more profitable/valuable as a manager? Forgot about whatever number you saw on the subordinate's paycheck. Come up with your own number (based on OTHER resources) which reflects your value to the company and use this as the foundation for your case.

**buildmybudget** · 07-16-2009, 08:40 AM

I recommend asking yourself if you were happy prior to seeing his paycheck. If the answer is Yes, then just forget you did. If the answer is no, than it really doesn't have much to do with that persons paycheck- it has to do with being compensated fairly for the services you provide. You'll find your answer by looking within and answering this question.

My subordinate earns more than I do- suggestions?