HR director with no experience
Mildon
4 Posts
In fact, my friend has a master's degree in translation from a university in Europe. Her co-worker, who makes more money, doesn't even have an undergraduate degree. She is, however, a single parent, whereas my friend does not. I believe that this may be the key as to why she makes more money.
The problem is that when my friend brought up this issue with the HR director, the HR director told her directly that she didn't have to justify why the other person was being paid more. In fact, she completely refused to even listen to my friend's case.
It's important to note that my friend was chosen over the other employee to use her language skills to not only work by phone with our clients abroad, but to also do written translation, because her language ability is superior(the client interviewed them both by phone and chose my friend). Both started around the same time, and my friend is otherwise an exemplary employee with a good attitude and a good work ethic. I believe that the HR director, who does not have any background in HR, has so little experience dealing with these issues that she decided to just refuse to deal with the problem rather than engaging in negotiations with my friend.
I've heard that people without families get paid less than those who do. But should this apply even when the person without the family is obviously more qualified than the person with the family, if they're both doing the same job?
The problem is that when my friend brought up this issue with the HR director, the HR director told her directly that she didn't have to justify why the other person was being paid more. In fact, she completely refused to even listen to my friend's case.
It's important to note that my friend was chosen over the other employee to use her language skills to not only work by phone with our clients abroad, but to also do written translation, because her language ability is superior(the client interviewed them both by phone and chose my friend). Both started around the same time, and my friend is otherwise an exemplary employee with a good attitude and a good work ethic. I believe that the HR director, who does not have any background in HR, has so little experience dealing with these issues that she decided to just refuse to deal with the problem rather than engaging in negotiations with my friend.
I've heard that people without families get paid less than those who do. But should this apply even when the person without the family is obviously more qualified than the person with the family, if they're both doing the same job?
Comments
Thank you all for your posts!
Excellent performance will be the best way for your friend to surpass the other in salary. Of course the question of what business is it of hers what someone else makes could be asked, but that is a whole different issue.
My $0.02 worth.
DJ The Balloonman
On a positive note, now your friend knows what salary she can negotiate if she changes jobs. Also, being behind the other employee compensation-wise may give her additional job security if business goes down (although you never know) and reduction in force must be made... Overall, it all depends on the company culture and how these issues are dealth with.
Alex
I'm happy to report that my friend just managed to find a new part-time directorship position that's much more in-line with her background and career goals. We hope it leads to a full-time position that will allow her to quit the job she's at now.
It's true that salary may depend on one's ability to negotiate. Were this a "normal" company with an experienced HR leader, I'm sure things would be more consistent. In another instance, a different co-worker of mine was hired along with her friend. The HR director told one to not tell the other her salary because she was being paid more money. This is also the first company I've ever worked at that didn't pay mileage. There are two offices about 10 miles apart from each other and employees travel back and forth constantly. Believe it or not, no system is in place for reimbursement!