When an employer lies to you... - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Juventus3 · 08-09-2007, 06:46 PM

So I've been at my current job for 3 months now. Typically a good time to approach a supervisor about a raise in pay.

First, some information...a new guy at work this week was open enough to tell me without even asking, what his rate of pay was...quick math lets me find out he makes $3.50 more an hour than I am currently. I know to some here this will seem more insignificant than edmonton, but for a summer job 25 bucks a day more is enough for groceries for the week during school. Anyways, after work today I approached a supervisor about an increase in pay, mentioning I'm looking somewhere in the range of the wage I found out the new employee was offered (keep in mind this person is younger, has less experience, and less certification than myself). When I asked the question 'What type of pay have recent hires been offered?', her answer was a flat out lie, 3.00 less than what I know this new hire is making. At that moment I lost all respect for my place of employement, and considered calling her on it before deciding it wouldn't get me anywhere.

I've also learned that they are going to be 3-4 staff short in the coming weeks as summer comes to a close, a flavorable position to be in as an employee. Our meeting got cut short because she had to take a phone call, but we're supposed to meet again tomorrow morning.

My question to CP....what approach should I take in the morning?

prarieboy · 08-09-2007, 06:52 PM

The first thing I would determine is if the new guy is being truthful. Many people have no problem inflating their salary for the sake of discussion. Maybe he wanted to find out how much you make. If you feel he is sincere try to get the raise tomorrow and if it doesn't work out don't take it to badly. Your boss is doing her job by keeping down expenses. It's likely not personal, more likely buisness.

If you were happy there before you found this out you might as well just stick it out. You'll be back to school soon.

ricoFlame · 08-09-2007, 07:00 PM

in all my past experience in this type of situation, i can tell you that in most cases, your co-worker is not telling you the truth.

HOOT · 08-09-2007, 07:22 PM

Find another job, give litte to no notice. If you aren't comfrontable working there because of it then don't. However like the others say they could be lying about their pay.

I know me personnally when people have asked what I made I lie, but I lied the other way and went down, since I am making the most out of anyone I work with.

Juventus3 · 08-09-2007, 07:22 PM

I've definitely considered that he's not telling the truth, but the guy seems pretty truthful. The only thing that is troubling is that he thought I'd be making more than him...Which could be a reason to inflate his rate of pay.

the-rasta-masta · 08-09-2007, 08:18 PM

This kind of reminds me of my first ever job. Three of my friends and myself got a job at Country Hills Golf course in the backshop. We all were the same age, had never had a job before, and applied at the same time. We were shocked a month later when we all realized we were being paid differently. One was making $7.00, I was making $6.50, another was making $6.25 and the other was making $6.00. Didn't make any sense. We all got raises to 7.00 when we called them out on this.

Deelow · 08-09-2007, 09:07 PM

Anyone ever hold someone else's sealed paystub up to the light to catch a glimpse?

ricoFlame · 08-09-2007, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deelow

Anyone ever hold someone else's sealed paystub up to the light to catch a glimpse?

absolutely not.

Resolute 14 · 08-09-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deelow

Anyone ever hold someone else's sealed paystub up to the light to catch a glimpse?

I've actually ripped one right open... about six months after he was laid off, and we found it buried in a desk.

My last company made the mistake of actually publishing the pay grades, and which groups fit in which grade. It did not help morale much when some Tier II techs found themselves below the Tier I help desk.

FlamesAddiction · 08-09-2007, 09:23 PM

What, you guys don't believe in taking the hometown discount?

I am kind of in a similar boat, but not as bad. A new hire with less experience and education than me, is making only slightly less. I think when my yearly review is held, I am going to have to play hardball. My utilization is the highest in Northern BC, so I better get a good offer...

Dion · 08-09-2007, 09:23 PM

Be sure you have your facts straight before suggesting to her that she is lying.

You could also give her a list of reasons in regards to your job performance as to why you think a raise is warrented. State what you have done and how it has helped the company. In other words do a sales job on her. If your honest about your performance chances are she might give you that raise based on how you presented your case. FWIW it's a method i've used the past.

JiriHrdina · 08-09-2007, 09:57 PM

Awkward situation. A lot of factors go into what you give someone as a wage when they are hired - including what the market is paying at that point. And sometimes you can't make the appropriate adjustments to the rest of your employee wages because it will impact your bottom line too much.

I've been on the other side of the table when an employee me has asked me the same question. However rather than to lie about it I've simply said that its not relevent and that if they want a raise we should just focus on talking about their contributions and performance. Not perfect but better than just lieing to an employee.

Flames in 07 · 08-09-2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juventus3

I've definitely considered that he's not telling the truth, but the guy seems pretty truthful. The only thing that is troubling is that he thought I'd be making more than him...Which could be a reason to inflate his rate of pay.

Many ... MANY people lie about how much they make. To be perfectly honest I wouldn't over react at this point, I doubt anyone can tell if someone is 'truthful' if you have only known them for a few weeks.

Fobby · 08-09-2007, 10:51 PM

OT... if i were to lie about my pay.. i would say it's LOWER then what I am making.. not higher... /OT

As for new hires that are paid more then you are. Don't be so surprised. The way that the market is right now, ppl's starting wages are much higher then say a year or 2 ago. New grad, with No experience, are starting with a wage that's much higher then someone who's been in the field for 3 years. That's just how it is.

Instead of asking your employer to match, prove that you are worth the money, and if you prove your value to the company, they will have no problem paying you what you are worth.

vicphoenix13 · 08-09-2007, 11:25 PM

The best way to get paid a good wage is to establish a benchmark when you start. For instance, if you want to earn $12 per hour, make sure the company knows it when you fill out the application. Then when you are offered employment, negotiate a salary structure. Believe it or not, this strategy worked for me when I worked at a notoriously thrifty big box store. The labour market is so thin right now that the employers have to cave in. If I were you, I would quit and find a better paying occupation.

Barnes · 08-09-2007, 11:31 PM

I believe that you can also get the person that told you in trouble. If they are a new hire then it would be grounds for termination.

JiriHrdina · 08-09-2007, 11:32 PM

I also wonder why 3 months is considered to be a good time to get a raise. That's really not much time. I know some companies promise a 3 month review but I've never liked the policy. Assume someone is good when you hire them and pay them the market rate - raise after 6 months or a year. 3 months is too short a time period.

Fobby · 08-09-2007, 11:46 PM

I agree with you... 3 months is just enough time to learn the ropes. 6 months would be a time to give a raise if the employee has exceeded expectations.. then the 1 year mark for COL adjustment.

Sample00 · 08-09-2007, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JiriHrdina

I also wonder why 3 months is considered to be a good time to get a raise. That's really not much time. I know some companies promise a 3 month review but I've never liked the policy. Assume someone is good when you hire them and pay them the market rate - raise after 6 months or a year. 3 months is too short a time period.

my policy in hiring staff is, if you are good, you get a raise, 3 months or one month, doesnt matter. If you are bad, you get tossed. simple as that!
I can usually get a pretty good read on staff after even a short time on the job.

to the person that wrote," the market is so tough, that employers are going to cave to keep people" I disagree. sorry, I would rather just do the job myself before I allow an employee to dictate their rate of pay to me. If they are good and deserve it, then I have no issue with it. But if they think that I am going to pay them just because the market dictates that I cant find a replacement for them, that employee is just gonna be outta luck.

FlamesAddiction · 08-10-2007, 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sample00

my policy in hiring staff is, if you are good, you get a raise, 3 months or one month, doesnt matter. If you are bad, you get tossed. simple as that!
.

A lot of places are not like that though. You need to be the sweaky wheel...

I know in the industry I work in, many companies have the reputation for taking advantage of loyalty and continually low-ball. Most people work for one company until they start to realize that they are getting lowballed, and then they move on to another company with the experience and get paid way more.