Found out my coworker makes $12k more than me for the same job

Was checking some shared project files and accidentally saw a payroll spreadsheet from HR that got left open. Turns out the guy next to me who started 6 months after me is pulling in $12,000 more annually. We both have the same title and same experience level. Has anyone else stumbled into salary info they weren't supposed to see and how did you handle it?

2 comments

2 Comments

garcia.quinn3d ago

That $12k difference, how long have you been at the company compared to him?

blairstone8h ago

@Garcia.quinn in my case, it was almost 18 months difference - i started right after a big raise freeze ended and the other guy was hired during a push to bring in senior people. my manager ended up giving me a bump after i showed him a few market salary posts, but it took a few months of back and forth. maybe check if your company has a clear pay band, because mine was all over the place until they standardized it a year later. your mileage may vary though.