How do I find out if I am being underpaid relative to my coworkers?

[Le Gaucher]

We had out annual stock awards. I got a modest raise. But I cannot shake of the feeling that pot was not fairly split. There are couple guys in my team who are very pally with the boss. They live in the same neighborhood, take the train together and even go to strip clubs together. Bottom line, they are in a club that I cant get in.

I hate feeling left out .. but what are my options other than to ask my boss directly?

Glassdoor is useless. Linkedin thinks I am getting underpaid for my qualification and experience

[mercuryblues]

1. It can be risky

if you go to your coworkers, boss or HR

https://www.aol.com/2012/07/25/how-do-i-prove-i-m-paid-less-than-my-male-coworkers/

4. Look at public records.
If the company has to file documents with the SEC or other government agencies, those records may include employment agreements or other pay records.

6. Look at severance agreements.
Severance agreements are usually based on a certain number of weeks or months of pay. Some of them become public record in SEC filings. Sometimes former colleagues are willing to show them to you. Depending on your job, they might even come across your desk. Occasionally, the agreements pop up online. If you Google "severance agreement" and your company name, you might be surprised what pops up.

[exboyfil]

2. Be prepared to leave your employer

Get your resume and training/certification up to date if applicable. Contact a discrete headhunter. Any chance of transfer within your company?

Once you comfortable with your market value, then approach your boss about a raise. I personally would not phrase it in relation to your coworkers.

[Le Gaucher]

5. I will have to find an employer willing to compensate for unvested stock/options

Its possible .but jumping ships is going to take time. And its a small world and many guys across companies know each other ..

[exboyfil]

7. I wish you the best

I received a number of job offers for a five year period I was with my previous employer. None of them ever made sense for me. I finally did make the move 14 years ago, and I am very happy that I did.

I was dealing with a relatively low level engineering position with large companies though.

[sharp_stick]

13. That's one of the reasons you have to be careful

Whenever you broach a subject like this make sure you're prepared and you don't make it sound like griping.

Good luck

[TheDebbieDee]

14. THIS

Update your resume and research what your skill set is worth and outlook for your skill set here: www.onetonline.org

Good luck!

[IronLionZion]

3. Job hunt

see what competitors would offer you. That was how I found out I was worth more than I was getting paid. My current job is paying me more than I asked for.

It sounds like there are other parts of your job environment/culture that you don't like.

[Sanity Claws]

4. From coworkers

Truly that is the best source but it sounds like they are all members of the same club from which you have been excluded.
Sounds like it might be best to leave and ask for a raise and be prepared to leave, if you don't get it.

[DaleFromWPB]

6. My Theory on Salary ... FWIW

You're either making what you're worth or what you have decided to settle for.

If you're convinced you're underpaid - all you have to do is find someone that will pay you more.

If you can't find anyone that will pay you more - find a way to be happy with what you're making.

As for what everyone around is making - it's none of your business. I seen what happens when salary information becomes public knowledge in a company - it's never pretty.

Your happiness and morale are your responsibility.

If you're happy there and being treated decently - work hard and try to advance.
If you're not happy - hit the jobs boards and post your resume.

Either buy-in or bail-out - your choice.

[Le Gaucher]

8. But my concern is that compensation is being determined on a non performance basis

I dont have means to invalide my hypothesis.

Information asymmetry is unfair to the worker. My performance is plain for all to see. So are my coworkers.

So why should pay be a secret?

[DaleFromWPB]

11. Their ball - their rules

I've handed out annual pay raises and stock awards and while I tried to be fair, there are always other factors involved.

One of the biggest factors is 'who do I fear losing the most'?

Another factor is always 'whose skills best align with the projects expected over the next year '?

I'm not saying you're not being treated unfairly - but life isn't fair.

I've been treated unfairly and I'm sure that people who reported to me have thought I treated them unfairly at times.

My advice to you if we were having a beer would be find a way to get happy or find a way to work somewhere else.

[FSogol]

10. Good advice. n/t

[Orrex]

12. There's at least a third possibility:

You're either making what you're worth or what you have decided to settle for.

You could also be making what circumstances have forced you to settle for. I'm not a big believer in the illusion of self-determinism, insofar as a billion factors outside of your control can easily override those few factors that you do control.

A single mother with a GED and working at McDonalds hasn't "decided to settle for" starvation wages--she has accepted that circumstances prevent her from exercising full, free choice in the matter.

Using the phrase "decided to settle for" is creepily reminiscent of the "people make bad choices" mantra so beloved by Ayn Rand cultists, and it depends on the fantasy that we are all the architects of our own destinies.

[DaleFromWPB]

17. You're correct

I could have worded that better ... 'decided' is not the right word.

'Have' settled for includes factors beyond your control, gender, race, geo-political, disabilities.

It came off far more dismissive than I meant.

[Orrex]

18. No harm. Thanks for the clarification.

And welcome to DU!

[LanternWaste]

16. You then believe there is no additional aspect, complication or obstacle other than this one absolut

" all you have to do is find someone that will pay you more."

You then believe there is no additional aspect, complication or obstacle other than this one absolute?

[DaleFromWPB]

19. You can ask for a raise ...

Or you can find someone who will pay you more.

Over a beer, I'd tell the poster that are a lot of factors in job satisfaction and compensation that need to be considered.

My company pays all of insurance premiums ... a very valuable benefit.
They also have a very generous 401K match policy ...

But pay raises are rare and bonuses don't exist.

Some things here are excellent
Some things here are good
Some things here are no-so-good

I choose to stay here because over-all this is a great place to work and the poster should evaluate everything before making a decision to jump ship.

[NightWatcher]

9. Hire a private investigator to get video of them at the strip club

Show him a still photo from the video and ask if he knows how to upload videos to the company's website.

[exboyfil]

15. Kind of like Kevin Spacey negotiating severance

[A HERETIC I AM]

20. Beat the shit out of one of them and steal his paystub.

Sound advice, I think.

"If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer" (or more explosives, as the case may be)