Re: --Equal Pay--

More | Report Post

On 6/05/07, Jo Bobby wrote:
>
> RCW,
> Thanks for the reply. I am a public sector employee. The
> reason that the woman makes more than me has nothing to do
> with her negotiations, skill, poise or any of the above. I
> was on the panel interview. Trust me, no one was blown off
> their feet by her. It only has to do with the fact that in
> her previous position, which was a pay grade lower, she topped
> out. When she got the current postion, which is a totally new
> position to her, it put her in a new pay grade. She is now on
> the same pay grade as me. She is compensated more than me
> only for this reason. I have more ability, skill, training,
> resposibility, tenure, etc. in this position. This my boss
> will not deny yet I make about $10,000/yr less.
>
>
> On 6/05/07, RCW wrote:
>> On 6/04/07, Jo Bobby wrote:
>>> I have been working in my current position for about 4.5
>>> years. A woman without any experience has recently been
>>> promoted to the same position. Our positions are now on
>> the
>>> same paygrade. Prior to her promotion, she was one
>> paygrade
>>> below me but she had topped out on it. We are now on the
>>> same paygrade. However, without any experience in the
>>> position that she is in now, she makes about $10,000 more
>>> per year than I do. Does this fall under the Equal Pay
>> Act?
>>
>> You dont say whether or not you are a public or private
>> sector employee. Your ability to challenge discrimination
>> at first impression is greatly curtailed when you are not a
>> government employee.
>>
>> Having said that, there are many reasons why she is paid
>> what she is paid. Mainly, the ability to sell ones self in
>> the interview. Confidence, appearance, and negotiating
>> skills go a long way. Best of luck to you

Nothing in your post suggests anything illegal is taking place.
The Equal Pay Act only makes it illegal to base differences in
pay on gender. The EPA does not require two people doing the
same job to be paid the same. The fact that the pay system
resulted in her moving into the new job at a higher rate of pay
than you is not illegal and it isn't evidence of gender bias.
It could just have easily happened to a man - or to you, if you
top out in your pay grade and then get promoted to the next pay
grade. I don't expect you'd be complaining it was unfair if
that happened to you.