Shared by the owner, i have been treated well but it is a pprofessional degreed jo with a license and this person is doing manual labor. my employer was so good through the pandemic so i havent asked for a raise in 3

The Harvard Business Review's Christine vs. Work addresses this issue. I hope this helps.

This doesn't answer your question, but I think it addresses your situation.

The best employers, small and large, have regularly scheduled performance evaluations, skill enhancement and training programs (even it if involves getting same from outside providers) and salary reviews. If your employer doesn't do all of these things, they're trying to get away with not doing so. Asking for a raise isn't going to change that in the future. it's something for you to consider before or after such a discussion.

I suspect a discussion to request a raise is awkward for most people, which to me is a sign that it's a topic a contributing employee should never be in a position to have to bring up.

You might want to check out the Ask A Manager blog for approaches and discussions.

Ask a Manager

Second vote for Ask A Manager.

Just ask your boss for it.

I would want to know what else is out there. Sometimes the best way to earn more is to leave.

I would want to see what the job market is like currently in my field.

I'm confused. You say you haven't asked for a raise in three years. How long do you work there and how was a raise given in the past?

We're you okay with your salary until information was “shared” about what the other worker is making?

The fact that the person does manual labor and makes more does not have anything to do with your salary.

I remember years ago standing on line at supermarket. The cashier was having a conversation with a customer that she obviously knew. She told him her salary! It was quite substantial. She worked there many years and her salary reflected that.

ETA just saw Amy’s. We are on the same page.

Just a thought: Sometimes temp workers (which you say this coworker is) are offered higher hourly wages but do not have benefits such as vacations, health insurance, sick days, retirement plans and other benefits and so may actually have a lesser total.

Anne, are you getting benefits? I wojld imagine a temp worker is not, so consider that when comparing pay scales. ( oops oops, I see Lucille has addressed this)

We had annual reviews and were given our raises at that time. Obviously if you were not up to snuff, you got a warning and no raise. If you have not had a review, perhaps ask for one. If it is glowing, then bring up the topic of a raise.

I was told that ALL employers pay minimum wage -- i.e., the minimum which they must pay to get the worker they want to do it.

Highly recommend Ask a Manager also!

Agree in theory with AmyLou. Base your request for a raise based on YOUR qualifications, experience, level of job difficulty, etc.

Do not base your request on comparing your current wage to another employee’s wage. What others earn is not your business. That’s a real slippery slope.

I spent several years in a kind of temp position - "contingent" - in hospital and was paid a slightly higher hourly than the "permanent" staff. I heard complaints more than once about contingents being paid more. But, as dedtired pointed out, I not only had no benefits of any kind, but also had no guarantee of hours (and went through a few spells where I only got one or 2 shifts per week, because hospital census was low.) Also, I had to be more flexible and accommodating, to work in any department where my skill set was appropriate, rather than being able to count on working in just one regularly.

Further, I hope everyone realizes that, often, "manual labor" jobs are indeed skilled, sometime highly so.

I get a yearly raise and was pleasantly surprised it was more then I expected.

I asked flat out. I know I'm valued, and don't do it often. The entire institution gets flat raise increases. I was falling far behind, so I asked. It took my boss and me finagling, but it finally happened.

@amylou321, I will respond to you specifically. I do not look down on this person at all. He is a student working his way through college and works hard. I do know that my very specialized licensure and degree is very specialized. I do also know that in my area I am not making a bad salary.

I could go to a different part of the field but would not have the environment I have.

I do have benefits, although not great, but that is a thought.

Does the fact that this a college age kid make a difference in your opinions?

Yes, I should just ask I guess. I appreciate my employer and it is a good environment and while my boss would call me strong, I am timid about the money thing.

No. It does not. Not at all. Also I did not accuse you of looking down on the person, but the nature of their work,as it seemed to be the only thing that bothered you. You seemed upset they dared to pay a mere laborer the same as you, it seemed from your post. Now I see you are upset that this person is not only doing Manuel labor, but is younger than you.

Neither of those alone or together justifies a raise for you. Which is why is suggested coming up with better reasoning before you asked for a raise which I do not deny you deserve on your own merits.

My reasoning is that I have a job that require a license that is difficult to obtain and is monitored by our state all the time and I think that i worth something.

I am a fan of this young man....he is working hard and for some reason you think I am all kinds of ageist.

Do I think a person who has several degrees in a specialized area should make a bit more....yes. How that makes me against a college student who is working hard I don't get it.

And I never used the words "mere laborer"....those are some offensive words IMO

One of my brothers is a "mere" laborer who is quite successful and while I can't speak for you, he could buy and sell me and my husband and i do pretty well. A hard days work is never disrespected in my home.......please don't put it out there you k now how i feel...You seem lovely and I doubt you meant it that way

I also agree that it should be about my request and job....you are right about that

@sleeperblues, I am the manager...this is a small business but I carry a license that is unusual....i want to be respectful to my boss..

Anne,you said you make a good salary that you seemed satisfied with until you found out what this person makes.. Your post began with you explaining that this person is doing Manuel labor while you have a degree and license and made it seem like that is the reason you want more money. You did not list any other reason why. You used what he did in comparison to you as justification for a raise. Then you asked if the fact he is a college student makes any difference to my own opinion and I still have no idea why it would and would be grateful if you can explain why it should if you were not suggesting that that fact made him undeserving of such pay. That is what is read like to me.

I did not tell you how you feel but how you came off, which I thought would be helpful to you in your conversation with your boss about a raise.

I make more doing menial work than a lot of people with degrees at my company. I do not see why they could use their education as a reason that they should make more than me. Their degree and their decision to accept their position was their choice,as my decision to accept this job was. And frankly it's offensive to suggest that one deserves more than the other jUST because of a degree and a license. why do you think that? I am curious. Your boss did not think so when he hired that person and decided what to pay him......

While we wait for Anne.....

There are times when a college degree or special training is warranted. There are times when experience alone will be enough. Each situation can be different.

I think what nudged at Anne is that she realized that she might( and I say might) not being paid what she could be earning in this company after learning about someone else’s salary. This is why it's a slippery slope when workers share their salaries.

Anne - Has there been any performance review? If not, I’d ask for that. They should get the hint, but if they don’t you can bring it up during that discussion.

You’ve mentioned your licensing, does it make you marketable elsewhere?

Amy, not being nosey but you say you do menial work. I am not sure what that means in an office setting.

I work in a refinery eld. I work in a standalone building that they generously call an office processing the 18 wheeler trucks that come in and out, troubleshooting and solving loading problems and computer system problems, training new drivers on our safety instructions, helping those drivers get the correct loads,doing state paperwork for road jobs, lots and lots of little tasks like that. It's hard to explain. We work with every step from getting the products we need in all the way to helping customers find carriers to bring them loads or correcting paperwork for them. That's why I just call myself the night minion. It's not strictly an "office" job, or strictly an industrial or production job, its not strictly anything. We do lots of things to help make the place run smoothly and safely. But you do not need a degree to do it for sure. My position is actually the lowest hourly paid in the plant, but I recognize that other positions require physical exertion and dangerous risks that mine does not carry. The people that work for the same company in the pretty glass building with a river view may find us undeserving because we do not have the education they do, but i doubt they want to be out there at 2 am on Christmas morning, dealing with a diesel or asphalt spill and the paperwork and labor and that goes with it.

Anne i want to clarify that I do not think you are against this person at all,or stuck up or anything like that.. But I wanted to portray how your reasoning came off, as it might impact both your potential raise and how your boss sees your attitude. If he disclosed to you how much he pays this other person, I feel he would disclose that you asked for a raise because of it, and that might cause problems with your colleagues.

I think you are a nice person for what it is worth.

I didn't think you came off poorly. People with degrees deserve to be paid more than people that don't have degrees, especially if you're performing the same job. You've gone to school to get an education that is dedicated to what it is you're seeking a degree for. Not saying it takes more effort, but it takes more effort. I managed to climb to the ranks while I got my education, so I've done both. It is not easy to attend school and graduate with a specialized education. Experience is important, and in some fields it's the only thing that will get you where you need to go. But in some fields a degree is the only thing that will get you where you need to go. I sure as heck wouldn't want a doctor who performed surgeries on me without having gone to school. They fully deserve what they get paid. You didn't sound stuck up you sound like somebody who is being paid the same as somebody who didn't pay their dues.

She said they are not doing the same job.

And why would someone with a degree deserve more money than someone who does not if they are doing the exact same job anyway? The job is the same......so why should someone with a degree make more? Because they chose to get a degree instead of or in addition to gaining experience.....for the EXACT same job????? The same job..... no difference between the job? But one should be paid more......That doesn't make any sense at all.

THAT is a not nice attitude to have.

If me and another person were told to go to the top floor of a 100 story building, and when we got there we would be paid 100 dollars, and I took the elevator and the other person chose to take the stairs, should they be mad and demand more than what we were both offered for completing the same task because they chose to put forth extra effort where it was not necessary? No. They can brag about all the extra work they put in to get to the top floor, but in the end, we both just went to the top floor.

First, I work for a small business.

I did not seek out the information, I was helping my boss out with something and in the course of that he told me.

I believe it was Eld who asked if I am "marketable", yes, although it is a limited field. I also really respect and like my boss and co workers. It can be very taxing and having people who you enjoy being around is a bonus.

I do think that what I do, because very few people are qualified to do it deserves more pay then a college kid who is doing random things. To clear it up for anyone who misunderstood.....he does not and could not do the same job I do.

I was thinking this morning, and I will talk to my boss next week. This young man will only be with is while on summer break and perhaps my boss is trying to help him out. My boss is very kind and perhaps there is something I am not aware of.

I appreciate all the suggestions. A lot of them are related to something more corporate....a field I left for this second career, which is very rewarding.

Throwing these ideas out for your consideration. My DD works for a small company, supposed to have annual performance reviews but in reality they don't happen. After two years without a review she felt she deserved a raise. She rehearsed opening dialog possibilities with me and DH, so she could appear (and be) poised and confident. She arranged to meet with both her supervisor and his boss (the company owner) present, because big boss was the one to make salary decisions. She had a specific salary in mind and named that figure early in the meeting, so didn't wait for them to suggest an amount. She had written notes for herself (so she didn't get flustered and forget key things) of accomplishments and positive impacts since her last review. Per DH's advice, while she was careful to speak well of her coworkers' performance, she kept the focus on her own position on the team and her own growth and accomplishments. She got every bit of what she asked for.

"I did not seek out the information, I was helping my boss out with something and in the course of that he told me."

That would have been the perfect time and opportunity to bring it up. "Wow, Bill is making the same as me?" Boss, I'd like to schedule a meeting with you to discuss my performance and salary."

sephia_wa......I apparently lack in perfect timing

I just once again want to say that what I am licensed and educated for, this other employee could not do, per the state that licenses me...it is very specific. I have nothing against this person. He is a very hard worker and I happen to know his parents and told them what a great person they have raised. I am trying to use the appropriate terms because he is younger than my own children and I am impressed by his respect for others and his work ethic. I am not slamming him at all and as I said before, perhaps my boss is trying to help him out as I know his education expenses are high, even with some help and at a state school, but I presume a struggle for the family.

I hope no here assumes I am against a person who works hard without a degree. As I said before, I have a brother who some would call a laborer....He would call himself happy doing what makes him happy, and he has knowledge I'd never understand. He makes a very good living here in the DMV and I wouldn't ever use the term menial to describe his work. Who do I call when I have an issue ....him.....

I don't think I have ever used the term menial to describe anyone's job. WTF...we all participate in this world.

You keep saying you're licensed and educated and it's very specific. "my very specialized licensure and degree is very specialized."

What is it?

I'm not against anyone who is hard worker with or without a degree. A good work ethic is hard to find these days.

If a college student with a parttime job is being paid at a rate that's comparable to a full-time adult employee who is "licensed and educated" while doing a different role in the same business, then I'm sorry to say but there's nothing special about that adult's position and little value to the license. Or the adult is very underpaid.

It sounds like maybe an insurance agency, realtor or some kind of financial services.

Anne, you may respect your boss, but the conditions of your employment there don't suggest that he's returning your allegiance by doing his best for you.

Elmer, it is none of those, and is so specific that I cant say.....Thanks for those who made suggestions

That's fine, I was simply speculating. My first paragraph (with its too-long sentence) remains as my impression. Good luck.