Member-only story
SCRIPTS
What to Say When You’re Paid Less Than a Co-Worker For the Same Work
This is going to be awkward. But now is the time to take action.
Whether you accidentally saw your co-worker’s paycheck or actually talked about salary with them, it’s incredibly uncomfortable to find out that you’ve been making less money for the exact same job as one of your colleagues.
Okay, let’s be honest: “Uncomfortable” is an understatement. It’s enraging to learn you’re being paid less — especially when you have reason to think it’s because of your gender, race, class, age, or any factors other than your ability and experience.
Of course, there are always reasons to explain this away. “People can end up with different salaries for the same work because one negotiated better when being hired, or has asked for larger raises than the other person has, or the employer puts more value on one person’s education, or type or amount of experience,” says Alison Green, creator of the Ask a Manager work advice site.
All these classic excuses for wage disparity can sound legitimate, but if they result in men and women being paid differently for the same work, that’s still illegal under the Equal Pay Act. “Exceptions to this are if the employer can prove they’re paying someone…
