Think You’re Being Underpaid? Here’s What You Should Do

There’s a growing trend across the U.S. that involves companies either choosing or being compelled to offer more transparency regarding how much employees are being paid. Nevertheless, there are still plenty of ways that workers can get the short end of the stick.

If you feel like you’re doing more work than your paycheck reflects, here are some time-tested methods to address the situation.

Arm yourself with the facts

Since it’s easier than ever to figure out how much market value your specific skills have, it’s important to do some research before taking your concerns to your boss or human resources representative. It’s not necessary to start sending out resumes, but checking out some competitors just to see what they’re willing to pay someone in your current position can provide a lot of relevant info that can be helpful in any future negotiations.

Sites like Glassdoor, Payscale, and Salary.com can provide a lot of useful insight, but it’s a good idea to check more than one since there are often some pretty significant disparities between the sources.

Rein in your emotions

When it comes to money, there’s an obvious incentive to be passionate and emphatic. In order to achieve the best result when negotiating, however, experts insist that it’s important to keep a cool head throughout the process.

During any conversation with HR or upper management, it’s imperative to ask questions that will gauge the company’s willingness to reconsider your salary.

There’s also an opportunity for introspection, including asking yourself whether there’s a reason others might be making more for doing the same type of work. If colleagues have degrees or certifications that make their services more valuable, their higher paychecks might be warranted.

You should also weigh the value of benefits when considering what your total compensation is.

Chris Agee December 7th, 2022

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