'They’re paying that person nearly 30% more than me': Overworked employee discovers new hire with half the responsibility is getting paid more

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jun 21, 2025 8:00 AM EDT

There is nothing more disappointing at work than learning how much someone else gets paid even though they don't work nearly as hard as you do. Sure, there are other factors that go into salary negotiations, whether it's prior experience or the state of the job market. It's also worth noting that there should not be any ill will to other employees who managed to successfully negotiate higher salaries for themselves. At the end of the day, it's the human resources department that should be to blame for refusing to acknowledge the discrepancy in pay among employees doing the same work. 

In this case, it was even more egregious, since the underpaid employee was not only performing the same tasks and responsibilities as the new hire (who was getting paid 30% more), but also the underpaid employee had additional work that was considerably more significant and challenging. In fact, he should have gotten a raise a long time ago, but now that he know what was actually happening behind closed doors, we imagine that he has begun a plan to exit as soon as possible.

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    S031 Method Read Question Sy +
    via Sebastian Herrmann

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Several members of this online community chimed in with their reactions and similar anecdotes. Of course, one person blamed the author for not having a higher salary in the first place, but let's be real here: The author was likely under the impression that he was getting paid as much as he could be… until he learned the truth.

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    "My employer hired someone to do part of my job — at a higher rate than me."

    I was hired less than 2 months ago for a remote medical transcription role. Since then, my role has expanded massively. I
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    now handle referrals, prior authorizations, insurance verifications, fax inboxes, patient scheduling, coordination emails, and a bunch of weekly administrative tasks...all in addition to transcription.
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    Well, I just found out they hired someone new just to do transcription and they're paying that person nearly 30% more than me.
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    So let's break this down: . • I am doing multiple roles across different clinics. • I am consistently logging full-time hours (plus OT).
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    . • I am tracking results, flagging scheduling problems, sending weekly follow-up and treatment emails, verifying Medicaid/Medicare insurance, requesting cardiac clearances and outside records ...the list goes on.
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    Meanwhile, someone was just brought in to do only the job I was hired to do... for significantly more money.
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    I'm debating whether to bring it up now or wait for my 90-day review (which is about a month away), but the resentment is already creeping in. This is just
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    another reminder of how companies quietly burn out their capable workers by stretching roles without adjusting compensation and then undervalue them when they bring: it up.
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    Kopfstandnode ODO
    via Sebastian Herrmann

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    ThisIsntOkayokay • 1h ago Renegotiate or leave, simple as that. Company is always going to try to find people to work for less except for nepotism being promoted.
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    AccomplishedAd.... 48m ago It's time to start looking for another job! They're replacing you and wanting you to train the replacement!
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    retro_dabble ⚫ 56m ago So how do you know the new person is 30% more? Be careful it's not the office buy messing with you to get you to quit. If you truly are being paid less, then just
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    discuss with your direct manager. List all the tasks you handle and ask how can we bring the compensation up or what else can we do?
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    If it's a dealbreaker for you, then just say I want x amount or I'm gone. Up to you how you want to handle it.
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    Alternative_Land3... 1m ago Just bring up everything extra you do at your 90 days and ask for 40% more. Also consider that they need you at a rate that they can overwork you on overtime
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    bubbas • 1h ago You mentioned you don't even have your 90 days yet, meaning you just went through the hiring and negotiation process. Why did you do a better job negotiating up front? It
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    would be one thing if you were a long term employee, but you had the opportunity to come in at market rate. Or perhaps the other person more senior/qualified to justify the pay difference is
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    penguincrackers2019 OP 1h ago • I was happy with the pay when I was hired for ONE role. Since then, my duties have expanded considerably. If I knew what my actual workload and role would have been, I would have negotiated when hired.
    via penguincrackers2019

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workplace-stories employee work stories toxic-workplace work toxic-boss overworked-employees Horrible Bosses bad bosses toxic-work-environment
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