Not being considered for the job...

[shep_no_platinum]

Hi guys,

So my wife is is currently seconded to a higher role within the same team she came from. She has worked in this team for 4 years and has achieved many qualifications related to said role. She has more experience than some of her colleagues who are doing the role currently and as a result the bosses give her more of the work. All her colleagues are men and all get paid more than her. She gets paid 4 grades lower, however due to her secondment she is getting stepping up pay (2 grades). Meaning there is still a 2 grade pay difference between her and her male colleagues.

Recently, three internal positions became available within the team and they were for what she is doing now, but permanent. She immediately applied by recommendation of her boss as he said "she would be best suited". She has found out today she isn't even being considered for the role as she "doesn't have enough experience" and to try again in a few years. She will continue to be seconded to the role with the chance it may or may not get made permanent, but at the lower grade... She is only seconded as the last person doing it had to retire due to ill health and age. She has since come in, got on with the role and exceeded expectations. Her performance reviews have been glowing and she she has received recognition and rewards for this.

As you can imagine she is severely upset and de-motivated. I have told her to stay positive, but she is a mental wreck and is so deflated. The worst part is, they are interviewing someone we know who has only just received the qualification needed and has no experience in the area of work or the business. They said if the external candidates aren't as good in real life as they are on paper, they will just offer them the role at a lower grade.

I work for the same company and see this thing happening time and time again. I am a union rep within the company and want to intervene, however I'm not impartial or unbiased regarding the situation.

Just after a little advice please guys on how to proceed.

Thanks.

 

[shep_no_platinum]

This is a big company with many employees. A very cash rich company and as such, most issues are usually dealt with by the unions. They have HR policies that counter everything they have done and said. In my opinion this is discrimination and they are doing everything which they say they don't and won't. It also clearly shows, they are going to get her to continue to do the role but pay her the lesser grade/salary. Which to me seems like cheap labour. The fact they have mentioned external candidates will still be considered and offered less money if they don't seem up to scratch, says to me they are going to pay them less too and get both individuals doing the role at a lesser salary. Cost saving.

 

[shep_no_platinum]

Th

If she's continuing to do it for the lesser salary, why shouldn't they? It's just business. They will pay the least amount possible for the job. Your wife needs to find another job, and you need to support her in this. I'm sure other employers will be delighted to snap her up.

Thanks for this positive advice. I will continue to support her and help her in her search. Unfortunately, she loves the job, people and the salary is very handsome.