October 4, 2007
‘What should I do about my lazy, overpaid but likeable colleague?’
I work closely with someone I think is less able than I am and a lot lazier. In the past I’ve wondered if I should point this out to my manager, but have decided not to as I like my workmate and don’t see what is to be gained by making a fuss. However, by mistake I have just opened a payslip that I thought was mine but was his. It turns out that he earns nearly 30 per cent more than I do. I now feel furious and want to do something. If I tell my boss that I know I am paid less than my colleague he will tell me to mind my own business. How can I get more money and recognition without looking like a creep and a spy?
Analyst, male, 31
An analysts pay should be related to their employer’s benefit from their research. It doesn’t really matter how able or diligent an analyst appears, the only real tests of an analysts worth are whether or not they reach sound conclusions and whether or not the employer’s clients and traders have confidence in those conclusions. If you feel that your own analysis is superior in those terms, then you have acquired a salary benchmark that you can set out to achieve with your present or a future employer, while being rather vague as to the source of your information.
Posted by: Ironybrew: 57, Retired, Male | October 4th, 2007 at 5:12 pm | Report this commentYou accidentally opened his payslip, did you? Because, say, it was lying on your desk instead of his and, perhaps, your names are oh-so-similar? Of course. Anyway - as Ironybrew points out, with his usual perspicacity, your colleague’s pay is related to the quality of his work and how much it’s worth to clients, and not the amount of hours he puts in. Most of us are very poor at judging our colleagues’ skills and worth (we instinctively see ourselves as superior), so it might be better to learn from him and think about ways of streamlining and improving your work rather than getting steamed up. And there’s no reason why you shouldn’t see your boss about a raise - you don’t have to mention how much the other guy is earning. Have a full and frank chat with your boss about your performance and prospects. You may learn that there are good reasons for your being paid less than him. Being negative about colleagues and opening their payslips might have something to do with it, no?
Posted by: Female, 25, Financial PR | October 5th, 2007 at 9:02 am | Report this commentWhether or not you “accidentally” or not opened the payslip. something similar hapened to me. Yes, you can use the information to try to receive another raise, but the reality is that you will probably always secretly resent your employer for paying less competent peers less than yourself, and constantly worry about if they’re doing it again/still. Take this as a wake up call and look for a job elsewhere, where you will not always have the resentment and fear.
Male, 51, former Coporate Exec.
Posted by: Dave Kastner | October 8th, 2007 at 6:50 am | Report this commentFor someone who is an Analyst, I hope you do realise that “less able” and “lazier” are both hugely subjective. Obviously your manager does not seem to share the view. Your manager also does not share your view of your own abilities and value. This means one of two things or both - you need to honestly and objectively reappraise your own value to the firm, and / or you need to look for another job. Finally, “opened his payslip by mistake” is indeed a lot less subjective.
Posted by: Out of the box, 42, Male | October 8th, 2007 at 7:41 am | Report this commentI assume you work in a bank? Given the current economic climate and widespread stories of imminent job losses, I would be tempted to advise you to put up and shut up.
However, from personal experience, I know that this will not rid you of your feeling of being hard done by and undervalued by your employer.
I suspect that the only way to rectify your hurt feelings would be in a monetary form and so your only real option is to ask for a pay rise. However, this request could of course be rejected which may leave you wishing that you had indeed just put up and shut up. Your only other option at that point would be to look for a new job which offers more money (at which point you should refer back to my first paragraph).
As for not looking like a creep, I think you’re beyond help there. Your thus far repressed desire to point out your colleague’s failings to your boss clearly shows that you are indeed a creep and a backstabber. Then again, such is to be expected, once more assuming that you work in a bank.
Financial Analyst, Female, 27
Posted by: Anonymous | October 9th, 2007 at 10:56 am | Report this commentPay calculation standards in your organisation may include other skills and traits which your colleague has but which you don’t. Armed with this information, you can determine which ones you can acquire (or already demonstrate)–which in turn determines whether you have something to discuss with the manager to begin with.
Posted by: J Michael, private banker, 38 | October 10th, 2007 at 2:13 am | Report this commentNobody likes jealous whingers (= losers), so do yourself a favour by leaving that out. Ask your boss and HR to re-benchmark your pay to market. Try to find a helpful catalyst to prompt that discussion, eg an important report or presentation that you produce.
Posted by: TK, Banker, Male, 35 | October 10th, 2007 at 6:19 am | Report this commentYour colleague possibly isn’t as less abled as you think - they are getting paid more and assuming their performance is sustainable must be working more effectively than you think. In the long run the lazy will always be found out. Why work hard when you can work efficiently.
Sort out your own package, stop putting your colleagues down and stop opening other peoples mail.
Surveyor,Male,32
Posted by: E3 | October 10th, 2007 at 12:49 pm | Report this commentIt should be obvious that your colleague is being compensated for some form of extracurricular activities. What are these? I suggest you extend you espionage to outside work areas. E.g. what numbers does he have on his phone? What extra work activities are there? Meantime start carefully building a discrimination case, and commence an arse licking campaign later to be bolstered with judicius charater assassination. As a last resort be prepared to sleep with the boss if they are so inclined.
What ssems like a bad habit will then be transformed to a charming maybe erotic foible that will put an anticipatory spring in your step.
Posted by: Gary | October 10th, 2007 at 1:28 pm | Report this commentTwo choices for the disgruntled analyst - leave, or get over it. If he thinks he’s worth 30% more in his job but his current employer doesn’t agree, he should find an employer who does. Complaining about co-workers is an absolute waste of time and the fact that the writer doesn’t know this makes one wonder if he is as able as he believes. Staying and stewing in one’s sense of indignation is destructive. Concentrate on your work and shut out feelings of resentment. Change your attitide and your environment changes, too. You might even get a promotion.
Posted by: American Female Policy Analyst, 63 | October 10th, 2007 at 6:46 pm | Report this commentCan I suggest first stop doing the chap’s work for him. Second start doing 30% less work in general and taking it a bit easier. You will be more relaxed and spend a bit more time at the watercooler.
Re: money, Invite the boss out for drinks a few times show him a good time, introduce him to some nice gels, and pay for it all. Ask a few more times and begin to complain that funds are a bit short and that the gels prefer to go out with your friends who are earning more…. Begin discussing and asking advice on various financial commitments, nothing frivolous. 3-6mths . Bingo.
This and wearing a dress to work every other Tuesday will also get you recognition.
Posted by: Harry, Surveyor,47 | October 10th, 2007 at 7:07 pm | Report this commentCriticising other people only devalues you. It shows you in a negative and small minded light. Your boss might even think you are the sort of person that goes around opening other peoples mail.
Instead look at how the land lies. If your boss reckons your co-worker is excellent then praise your co-worker. This reinforces your bosses judgement and of course will prove to he/she what great judgement you have. Bingo!
Also consider why you think your co worker is lazy. Is he in fact more efficient? Or does he spend less time slaving over excel and more time with stakeholder management?
Posted by: FD | October 25th, 2007 at 8:29 pm | Report this commentQuit and look for another better paying job.
Posted by: Philip | October 28th, 2007 at 10:33 am | Report this commentKnowing a little bit about the recruitment industry especially banking, not all recruitment decisions are made rationally. Thus not all pay decisions are made rationally. It sounds unfair but I would find out when and how your colleague was recruited: was he recruited at a time when the required skills were in short supply, may be his experience was over sold, was he recruited internally or externally and how much pressure was the manager under to recruit.
Learn from this and maximise your own earnings from the above points.
Posted by: David | October 31st, 2007 at 2:32 pm | Report this commentI can imagine you’re not happy, but it sounds like that ain’t going to change in your life time. I suggest you prey to become a weasel in your next life, might work our better.
Posted by: JB | November 8th, 2007 at 12:05 am | Report this commentYes, I have been in that position myself. At the end of the day, the labour market is fair (hopefully). If you’re worth more than what your company is currently paying you, then go apply for the same job somewhere else. Hopefully they’ll see value in you where your company has missed it.
Posted by: FB | November 14th, 2007 at 3:36 am | Report this commentIf other companies are willing to pay more, then highlight this to your boss. If he isn’t willing to pay more, then let your feet do the talking.
If other companies won’t pay you more, then you’re probably being fairly paid.
My dear friend, work is a turd and you should try to avoid it and stay cheerful. If you have a colleague who manages to do very little of it, and is nice to you, it means that you have a treasure in your life and hopefully a role model for your future. Resist all nark temptations with all the sternness you can muster. Or you will be tossing your soul away into capitalism’s enormous hate and alienation machine: it will be difficult to find it again.
Posted by: Eddie Thomas | December 13th, 2007 at 6:01 am | Report this comment