As I was leaving work today, I saw an email from my boss. In it, they said they were approached by another employee who referenced my pay rate (not my name) when discussing their own salary… my boss “gently request[s]” that I not share my salary and hourly rate with other employees and that they will expect the same from other staff.
I obviously know that what I did was perfectly legal and that my boss cannot terminate my employment over this. However, I’m unsure of how to respond in a way that asserts my knowledge of my rights and my disappointment in their wide range of pay for the same position, but keeps me in the somewhat good graces of this employer.
I am currently living in one of the fastest growing cities in the US, if not the fastest. There is no rent control on top of the economic issues we’re seeing globally with inflation and cost of living increasing. I negotiated my starting pay $2 higher than what was advertised based on experience, a relevant degree, and being frank that I literally could not live on anything less.
Come to find out most of the employees who have been here 1-2 years make less than me. Some of them even less than the offered rate that I negotiated up from. I’m not sure about all of their previous experience prior to this job or if they also have degrees, but it just seems scummy to hire people for more than what you’re already paying people for the same position. They are also offering bonuses for new hires (this is new since I got hired) who stay for 6 or 12 months and bonuses for current employees if they were the ones who referred them. Also, it’s super scummy that they are doing this because we are really understaffed… maybe instead of paying new employees out the wazoo, give the current employees who often do the job of two people a wage that they can live on???
My concerns:
-I was hoping to ask for a raise soon because my rent has also increased and I’m back to paycheck to paycheck
-this is the only place in my city that is fully accredited for this specific program style
-they are usually willing to cover tuition to get certified in this program style (something I’m worried won’t be offered to me now)
-there are no similar jobs in my city that will offer me the wages they are giving me currently
-I cannot afford to lose this job and not work while finding another… plus, I really love it besides the admin crap
I was thinking of responding and asking for clarification on how they determine wages and to say that my input in these conversations came from a place of concern for my fellow employees. I know that one of them lives in a converted garage with no central air/heat…
Thanks in advance for any advice! Stay safe out there.