Man finds out his colleague earns S$500 more than him, asks if he should speak up or stay silent
SINGAPORE: A Singapore-based tech sales employee recently discovered that he's being paid hundreds of dollars less than a colleague who joined the company at the same time.
Posting anonymously on the r/askSingapore forum, the employee shared that the topic of pay arose during a casual dinner with his teammates, where they began comparing their base salaries.
'We were discussing our base pay, and I realized that I've been getting paid significantly less (around S$400 to S$500),' he said.
'At first, I thought it might be because they had been with the company longer, but one colleague who joined at the same time as me (we even went through the interview process together last year) is being paid much more as well.'
Uncertain about how to proceed, he turned to the online community for advice, asking, 'Am I supposed to just accept this, or should I bring it up with HR? Even though I know that might go against what the contract says?' 'The salary offered will differ from one person to another…'
In the comments, one user pointed out that while the situation may feel unfair, the employee had ultimately agreed to his salary terms when he accepted the offer.
'You agreed to your terms of employment when you signed the contract,' the user wrote. 'You can ask, but there is really no basis. I mean, you agreed on the contract and (signed), right?'
Another added, 'In the same job role, there are several factors to be considered that qualify you—market rates (at that moment), experience, qualifications, particular niche skillsets, and others. Hence, the salary offered will differ from one person to another. Every candidate is different, even for the same role. You also agreed to the contract when you signed the offer.'
A third, however, urged him to 'leave' the company, adding, 'You're responsible for yourself. Your boss and HR are not responsible for increasing your pay. Their priority is for the company, not you. Now that you know what the basic pay is for your job, it should be easier to go find another job and negotiate. Heck, you can even find higher pay; that's what job hopping is for.' What to do when you find out your colleague earns more
Finding out a colleague earns more than you can feel like a punch to the gut, or at least a hard nudge, but before you jump to conclusions or spiral into frustration, take a moment to pause. According to staffing agency Mondo, there are a few helpful steps you can take to make sense of the situation: Assess your colleague's background
Your colleague may possess more years of experience, different qualifications, or a longer tenure with the company, which could have contributed to several salary increases over time. Research about your role
Use this as a chance to reflect on where you're at. Research what people in similar roles are earning in your field and location. Sites like Glassdoor or Payscale can give you a rough idea of what's fair. Bring it up with your manager
If, after your research, you still feel like you're underpaid, you can bring it up with your manager. However, it's important to remember that when you do have that conversation, focus on your own work, progress, and what you bring to the team.
Read also: 'The reno worker just let them in': Woman horrified as neighbours invade her new BTO unit
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Toyota Industries says it will discuss Toyota Group takeover bid on Tuesday
TOKYO :Toyota Industries will decide on Tuesday whether to accept a tender offer to take the company private, it said, after several media reported that it would accept a $42 billion offer from Toyota Motor and other group companies. In a separate statement, Toyota Motor also said it would make a decision on the reported plan, but added that some media reports contained misleading information including that the total acquisition could exceed 6 trillion yen ($42 billion). Toyota Industries shares were little changed on the report, trading up 0.4 per cent while Toyota Motor was down 1.0 per cent. Japanese companies have come under growing scrutiny from the market regulator and investors in recent years about their cross-shareholdings in affiliates and business partners, sparking a rise in both management buyouts and acquisitions. Many of the deals have been driven by expectations that a corporate governance overhaul will bring better shareholder returns. Toyota Motor had said in April it was considering participating in a potential buyout of Toyota Industries - a move that sources have said would help improve the group's corporate governance. Toyota owned about 24 per cent of Toyota Industries as of September last year, while Toyota Industries held around 9 per cent of the world's biggest automaker and more than 5 per cent of Denso, another major Toyota supplier and Toyota group company. Toyota Industries, formerly Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, was founded in 1926 by Sakichi Toyoda to make automatic looms. An automotive division within the company was set up and later spun off as Toyota Motor. In addition to forklifts, Toyota Industries manufactures the RAV4 sport utility vehicle for Toyota and also produces car parts such as engines, air-conditioning compressors, batteries and converters. ($1 = 142.6500 yen)
CNA
an hour ago
- CNA
Oil rises on Iran, Russia and Canada supply concerns
Oil prices rose in early Asia trade on Tuesday on concerns about supply, with Iran set to reject a U.S. nuclear deal proposal that would be key to easing sanctions on the major oil producer, and with production in Canada hit by wildfires. Brent crude futures gained 55 cents, or 0.85 per cent, to $65.18 a barrel by 0000 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude was up 59 cents, or 0.94 per cent, to $63.11 a barrel, after rising around 1 per cent earlier in the session. Both contracts gained nearly 3 per cent in the previous session after OPEC+ agreed to keep output increases in July at 411,000 barrels per day, which was less than some in the market had feared and the same hike as in the previous two months. Geopolitical tensions supported prices on Tuesday. Iran was poised to reject a U.S. proposal to end a decades-old nuclear dispute, an Iranian diplomat said on Monday, saying it fails to address Tehran's interests or soften Washington's stance on uranium enrichment. If nuclear talks between the U.S. and Iran fail, it could mean continued sanctions on Iran, which would limit Iranian supply and be supportive of oil prices. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine continued to stoke supply concerns and geopolitical risk premiums. Adding to supply worries, a wildfire in the province of Alberta in Canada has prompted a temporary shutdown of some oil and gas production, which could reduce supply. According to Reuters calculations, wildfires in Canada have affected more than 344,000 bpd of oil sands production, or about 7 per cent of the country's overall crude oil output. The big jump in oil prices on Monday mostly reflected relief that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies, including Russia, did not go ahead with a largerproduction hike than in the previous two months. "With the worst fears not panning out, investors unwound their bearish positions they had built prior to the weekend's meeting," Daniel Hynes, senior commodity strategist at ANZ, said in a note.
CNA
2 hours ago
- CNA
From Myanmar to Singapore: She started a shoe label making bunion-friendly footwear crafted by artisans
Commune Wear is a Singapore shoe label that's slowly making a name for itself with its podiatry-friendly footwear. But its founder, May Chua, had belatedly discovered her passion for fashion and shoes in a rather unexpected manner in an unexpected place. The mechanical engineering graduate from Nanyang Technological University had found herself working in her father's trading and real estate business in Myanmar. And it was during during a work trip to Thailand back in 2019 that the 34-year-old Myanmar citizen and Singapore permanent resident encountered skilled artisans handcrafting leather shoes. 'One of the artisans took a lighter to burn the material, and it was real genuine leather. Intrigued, I bought their shoes and wore them in Thailand. It was really comfy,' Chua recalled. Chua's conviction in the artisans' craftsmanship was immediately validated when her small order of 16 shoes resonated strongly with friends and family, proving the market potential and igniting the birth of her business that same year. Driven by a desire to give back to her birthplace, Chua first introduced Commune Wear in Myanmar. Because of the political instability, she made the difficult but strategic decision to relocate her business to Singapore in 2021. Launching amidst a pandemic, Chua's business faced immense challenges. To ensure her staff's survival, she paid for their salaries out of her own pocket. Chua's personal investment in Commune Wear also manifested in the courageous decision to open a physical shop at Cluny Court in May that year. Operating with just one part-time staff, she maximised limited resources, proving her commitment to establishing a tangible presence for her brand. In the past, we used to have men's and women's collections but we've reached a point now where it's fairer to call them unisex. 'Initially, we didn't intend to start in Singapore. But I was here during COVID-19, together with my whole family and I wanted to continue paying my team. I had refused to accept money from my family, and I was just being stubborn. Eventually, things started rolling and I quit my family's business to be with my brand full-time in 2023.' BEAUTIFUL PODIATRY-FRIENDLY SHOES Chua's intention behind the brand's name Commune Wear was to build a community where authentic conversations and collaborative partnerships can thrive. 'In the past, in Myanmar, our store would host social enterprises. But in Singapore, it's a bit harder because the retail scene is more expensive. I believe that a shoe brand can co-exist with another shoe brand, and vice versa with a clothing line. I believe in being very intentional and to consistently evolve – whether good or bad – but still staying true to being effortless and timeless.' Recognising the need for greater inclusivity, Chua transformed Commune Wear's offerings. Initially limited to pig leather linings, she proactively sought out tanneries capable of crafting premium cow and calf leather, not only expanding accessibility to Muslim customers but also enhancing the brand's commitment to superior comfort and natural aesthetics. 'Each pair is lined with either cow or pig leather, noted in the product descriptions for our Muslim customers, so you can make the most informed decision.' Chua also intentionally chose mindful tanning processes that use natural bleaching methods. While chrome tanning creates a smooth, even tone; natural tanning found in the brand's sliders and sandals allow each piece to develop a unique patina with wear, enhancing their character over time. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Commune Wear (@communewear) Adapting to to market needs, Chua also included smaller sizes like size 34. 'We used to only do size 35 to 41 but we realised there are girls with really small feet. In the past, we used to have men's and women's collections but we've reached a point now where it's fairer to call them unisex.' Recognising the impact of foot issues on quality of life, Chua embarked on a mission to create recovery-focused footwear. Collaborating with a podiatrist last year, she developed designs that directly addressed bunions, featuring thoughtful hallux placement, generous toe box width, and a strategically layered memory foam system to provide stability without compromising the shoe's structure. 'We try our best to educate customers that even if you feel comfortable with this shoe, it might not be comfortable for another person just because of the fit, shape and everything else. A lot of Asian girls have flatter instep or flat feet. But in Singapore, our hot weather causes our feet to expand. Our brand caters to wide and high feet according to different designs.' SLOW AND STEADY From a humble beginning of working with just a small group of Thai artisans, the business has now evolved to include artisans from Myanmar – of them, four are based in Singapore. To ensure transparency and avoid misleading consumers, Chua refrains from using the term "sustainable" to describe her brand, a term she believes is often misused as "greenwashing". 'I still think that there are a lot of things that I can work on to improve. For example, we use chrome tanning, which is basically chemical tanning. We started exploring vegan leather like mango or mushroom. But the downside to all this vegan leather is that they have not reached a point of softness, comfort and also breathability.' Right now, Chua isn't stopping at her current team; she is still searching for more artisans as she's looking to expand other product categories. 'We're hoping to do more things like bags, so we'll see how that goes.'
