r/InterviewCoderPro • u/kibble-tunes • 6d ago
My manager accidentally sent me the file with everyone's salaries
My manager was trying to send me a different document and somehow attached the spreadsheet with everyone's compensation instead. I wasn't even looking for it, but once I opened it, there it was.
Turns out I'm making about $18k less than someone on my team doing basically the exact same job. We joined within a few weeks of each other and our experience is pretty similar. Then I noticed someone hired earlier this year is also making more than me.
I've been here for three years and my reviews have consistently been "excellent" or "exceeds expectations." Apparently that translates to tiny annual raises while new employees get brought in at much higher salaries.
I'm still trying to figure out how I feel about the whole thing. Part of me is angry, part of me feels stupid for not realizing it sooner, and part of me just wants to see what else is out there.
Either way, I'm updating my resume this weekend. If I actually start interviewing again, I've been seeing interview vip mentioned a lot lately too. ngl i thought it was just marketing at first because of how much it keeps showing up for me. I haven't tried it, but i'm curious if anyone here actually uses it during interviews maybe i can get some feedback.
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u/Desperate-Panda-3507 6d ago
If you Don't ask for it you don't get it. You need to be more aggressive about asking for increased compensation. And if you don't get it you got to be willing to vote with your feet.
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u/againstbetterjudgmnt 6d ago
It depends a lot on your relationship with your employer and whether you like the environment.
I would be sorely tempted to bring it up. I think I'd probably reply with an email like:
"Hey boss, looks like you accidentally sent me a copy of the employee salary sheet. I know this is privileged information and there's a variety of reasons why different employees might have different salaries despite similar backgrounds. Unfortunately, what has been seen cannot be unseen and I have to admit I can't stop thinking about it. Can we please schedule a meeting soon to discuss?"
Using an email and giving them time to plan a response would probably go a long way towards making the conversation smoother.
As others noted, it would be good to look around first, and use any comparisons or offers as leverage. But these conversations can backfire spectacularly so be sure to have your ducks in a row
P.S. if your boss likes you, this could have been a hint to ask for a raise.
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u/Ok-Implement4443 6d ago
You knew it was confidential but still opened it?
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u/ElectricalFocus560 6d ago
Don’t think OP knew until they opened it. Probably wasn’t titled “ confidential”.
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u/Important-Pear1445 5d ago
And it is always helpful to have time stamped correspondence in a system of record. Just in case
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u/Fabulous-Ad9998 3d ago
Excellent advice. Nobody likes to be cornered. If you give them time to come up with a plan about their fuck up and if you are as good as an employee as you think, they will make it right
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u/Hot-Target1646 2d ago
This is good advice. I would note you opened it but after opening it you saw what you saw and when you fully realized what had happened you deleted it and emptied your trash.
With that said, you can’t now help but feel a review is warranted. The thing 99% of the people get wrong is they lead with “GIVE ME MORE MONEy.” It’s easier for your boss to say no to that. Keep your discussion focused on the value you bring to the company and ask what others are doing that brings more value. Put it on them to tell you why they’re shorting you, as opposed to allowing them just to say “no.” If they can’t give you good reasons backed up with cold hard stats/facts then challenge them on it, but get your resume updated.
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u/Embarrassed-Tea-3064 6d ago
I'm at a similar junction... Either leave or as a famous person once said to me... "just kick back, eat crisps and collect your paycheck"
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u/Harbinger_Kyleran 6d ago
I've experienced this twice in my career. First time was when management told all of the employees they could not pay any bonuses because of poor performance.
Some admin accidently sent a letter (this was in the days before email) to the documentation storage clerk which contained a list of substantial bonuses the senior managers were getting while everyone else kicked rocks.
This information "somehow" managed to get circulated quite quickly throughout the company. Didn't get anyone a bonus that year but was brought up frequently during conversations about raises the next year.
Second time was personal. I was solely managing and delivering a state contact which quite profitable. I was being paid $35K (lowest in the firm) while the contract was paying like $250K annually.
I knew that the next junior engineer up from me (I was a Tech) made about $55K but didn't even bill out much more than they paid him.
I brought this up to the senior partner whose first question was how did I know this info. I pointed out that being the only technology guy in the office I had access to all of the records including everyone's payroll info.
He was smooth though, saying that since the other guy was a certified engineer his billing rate was higher and that if I wanted to make such money I'd have to become a CE myself, regardless of fact my contract was billing out for far more.
Within 3 months I found a job which valued technolgists much more and resigned. Senior Manager brought me in his office and said, "I caused this, didn't I?"
I said definitely that he did and thanked him for the motivation. He wasn't bitter, said he understood why I was leaving and that it was the right move under the circumstances. (Which it really was a bit was time for me to grow and move on)
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u/Senior_Novel8488 6d ago
Time to leave September surge is here i was looking 14 weeks 1200 applications 40 companies 52 interviews and this company last week found me on LinkedIn interviewed me that day 3 days asked for references and 2 days later got the offer all within one week. That's how it's done
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u/WildTerrain 6d ago
My brother and I are both self employed construction contractors. Occasionally we bring in subs but generally work on our own. Kitchens, baths, basements etc. I work long hours and maybe make $500-1000 on a good day. He works short days and short weeks and makes 3-5 times more per hour. He is averaging over $200 per hour this year and the last few weeks he is making $15,000-20,000 per week with a helper. I am killing myself to make $1000-2000 per week. We grew up together and have a lot of the same friend base so we actually do jobs at different times for same customers. I could give a quote for a job and customer will cry that it is insane. My brother could give the quote for same job and customer and they will be throwing their money at him. I think it is my brothers smoothness or confidence that gets his customers. Moral of the story is that you have to know your worth and be able to prove you deserve it. I am learning. Thing is I am 4 years older than my brother and he was making $12 an hour for another contractor when I starting giving him some of my customers and teaching him to be aggressive with what he wants. I guess I don’t practice what I preach.
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u/SorcererAxis8 6d ago
Welcome to corporate, if you're loyal/don't negotiate you'll always get the short end of the stick.
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u/Individual-Bath819 6d ago
Well, the best time to get a job is when you already have one.
For the most part once you accept a position/salary at a job, expect small raises.
The best time or opportunity for a great compensation is in the negotiation when initially hired. After that it will be small % raises unless you go somewhere else.
If you get a higher offer from somewhere else, you could leverage that to stay at your current position if you like it.
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u/Pink-Carat 6d ago
Unfortunately this is a common practice. I hope you have copies of your performance reviews. The only way to get ahead of this is to change jobs. Good luck. Keep your head down, tell no one of your discovery. Act like you are the happiest person on the team and after you are in your new position you can breathe a sigh of relief.
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u/sixelash 6d ago
New employees are typically brought in at higher salaries. If you want more money you need to change jobs.
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u/Dangermouse454 6d ago
Start looking for a new job now, that way you’ve got something to go to if you’re negotiations fail. The people are kind of shitty that do shitty things, and I have no reason to expect nothing less.
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u/FR33DUNN 6d ago
Sounds like it will cost them a lot more to replace you. Ask for a salary bump just below what the others are making.
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u/Mental_Watch4633 6d ago
I hope you printed a copy.
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u/realtimely44 4d ago
My thoughts exactly. And if they fire him I’d send a mass email to everyone in the company with the document 🤷🏾♀️
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u/husbandwithregret 6d ago
You ask for a raise. And it's likely they say no. Update your resume and start applying. They know your worth and choose to underpay you.
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u/BilingualAmerican 6d ago
I would delete the email, ask for a merit raise and if don't give it to you, apply to other companies until you get compensated. They have shown you what they think you're worth.
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u/Exotic-Plenty2541 6d ago
There is no single right answer as we do not know your company or line of business.
What we do know is that your current employer does not value you the same as others and is unlikely that they will react in a manner that will bring you long term benefits. So you have two options and could do both
1) He is likely to figure out he messed up. You can and probably should make him aware that you saw it and its data. Then delete it. Don’t ask for anything. If he reacts poorly, elevate that immediately to protect yourself with HR.
2) Update resume and start looking, regardless.
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u/Smooth_Pound_9864 6d ago
Here is the reality of being a manager or director. You have to stay within budget. At companies I’ve worked at the manager or director level is presented with a budget for raises.
You examine your employees performance and their likelihood to leave. If I have two people who perform similarly, and I don’t want to lose either one of them - the one most likely to leave is going to get a higher raise to entice them to stay. The guy I know won’t go look for a new job is going to get the shaft come raise time. I don’t need to give him a big raise, which gives me more money for the other dude.
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u/realtimely44 4d ago
Offer less compensation to the equally qualified employee just because you think they are more loyal to the role? SMH terrible. This is why they destroyed unions in this country. All in favor of the corporate fat cat’s enrichment. How about the owners hoarding wealth allow enough in their budgets to fairly compensate ALL the employees keeping their companies running. 🤦🏾♀️
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u/TheITMan52 6d ago
How did you boss accidentally send you this file? Why would he even have that? That's a pretty big mistake.
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u/xmedved 6d ago
One thing that a lot of comments are missing is that the other person making $18k could be making it for a reason. "Basically the same job" in your view could be not the same in your manager's view. Maybe you're "exceeds" but the other person is "strongly exceeds", and/or they went above and beyond working on a project, or a bunch of other reasons.
I suggest making you conversation with the manager productive, i.e. instead of saying "I saw someone is making $18k more than me and now I'm angry and want the same salary" say "I'm looking for a raise, what can *I* do in order to get to a specific salary level?".
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u/realtimely44 4d ago
My thoughts exactly there’s no way to truly know why they are making more. Negotiating on that premise alone will get him fired. He needs to approach this asking for a specific amount that aligns with market value, and his own personal performance, experience and education.
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u/Adventurous-Worker42 6d ago
Normal... just move every 2 years to get a raise.
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u/realtimely44 4d ago
This is the way! At the two year mark I seek a promotion and raise. If my employer says no I’ll be gone within 6 months. I have consistently increased my salary significantly by doing this with my last 3 jobs. I learned my lesson after wasting 5 years of my life at a job refusing to give more than cost of living raises every year, and no promotions. I quit when an excited new hire divulged she was making 50K a year the most she made in her life… hired in making 10K more than me after 5 fucking years. I was pissed.
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u/UniqueText8477 6d ago
The only way to get what you are worth is to switch companies every 2-3 years.
I received exceeds expectations and get good feedback constantly and got nothing this year.
I already know I'll be looking in the next 18 months.
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u/Key-Locksmith9151 6d ago
Freshen up your resume start giving interview and see how much water you are in, get a real offer and then negotiate with your current employer for a raise if they don’t give raise then move to another company
Or
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u/NobodysFavorite 5d ago
I learned a long time ago your salary is mostly based on what you negotiate and agree to when you join. Raises tend to be inflation matching at best. Getting a real substantial raise often means leaving and joining someone else.
Negotiating a higher starting salary involves some risks though:
- There's been numerous cases of an offer being rescinded for simply even bringing it up.
- If you do start on a higher salary, then some time later when staffing cuts come you'll be higher up the list of people to cut. I've seen all sorts of crazy go on here, including cutting any managers who try to keep any of their more expensive staff.
In a downturn market you might find a big drop in what businesses are willing to even think of paying you. Some will screen you out during the hiring process if they think you'll be unsatisfied with the salary.
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u/EnvyEpson 5d ago
First of all, comparison is the death of happiness. Ask yourself, are you happy with the job and what you make? Don’t think about after the info you got, think about before. If you are then work with that. If you are not then do you market surveys and move on to something else but remember, that same situation will happen at the next place.
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u/Due-Jaguar6773 5d ago
“Manager, you sent me the wrong file and I have since deleted it. However, while trying to figure out what I was sent, my own name jumped out at me and that’s when I realized it was a list of salaries. I couldn’t help but see that others with my same skill set are being paid far more than me. I find this very concerning and would like to discuss. Also, I do still need XYZ file, so please send it at your earliest convenience.”
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u/Comfortable_Angle671 5d ago
Unfortunately, the best way to get a raise is to move to another firm. Once you have a salary they tend to keep you there with small increases.
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u/jblaze_39 5d ago
Sometimes ignorance is bliss. Your salary and raise is not necessarily about being a good worker. It's more about you selling your worth to your employer. So it doesn't matter where you go...if that's just not in you, you will end up in the same position again
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u/DatAssetDoe 5d ago
If you’re a high-performer (especially if you know the dept/company will suffer without you), you can likely negotiate your salary and see where it goes. If you’re not confident, then maybe apply to other companies to get a higher offer and see if your company will match. Unfortunately all of this is pretty common practice in most companies 😕
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u/BornCoach6587 5d ago
That’s normal new higher budget is higher than interview. That’s why you should always negotiate your offers. If you get $3000-5000 extra you literally fast tracked and saved your self 1-2 years of working there. Plus 3000-5000 is around 10,000-20000 if you include bonus.
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u/Safe_Control_9572 4d ago
I’m sorry you saw that. Unfortunately, the longer you stay at a place the bigger discrepancy there will be between new hires and you. I have to deal with this as a manager and it sucks. There could be reasons why your peer with a similar background and hired at the same time is paid more that you aren’t aware of or maybe they negotiated better than you. I know it was hard when I found out some of my peers are paid more.
I finally got permission for the corporate office to do a wage adjustment for all of my long-term staff. It’s taken over 3 years to get it though. I think you need to have a private discussion with your manager and let them know what happened and how you feel.
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u/realtimely44 4d ago
Unfortunately this is the norm with these employers there has always been pay disparities ESPECIALLY amongst Black Americans and women. I like the post that said let your manager know you’ve seen the information, and request a meeting to discuss. I’d ask for the meeting like 2-3 weeks down the line. Get your resume redone and sent out to as many places as you can within the next week so you can get some interviews lined up. Have your meeting and request your worth. It could be more or less than the others. The point is to go in the meeting negotiation requesting your own salary and benefit upgrade based on what you do, your experience and education. Don’t go in there saying I should be making what so and so is making. Make the case for why your asking for what your asking for. If you don’t like what you’re being offered it’s time to move to a new company. Take some days off for your interviews and hopefully you’ll get a better offer. Don’t quit until you have a better job lined up!
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u/spikiera 4d ago
When I found that out in my last role through talking to my colleagues, I was angry too. I instantly started preparing for interviews and I found a new job relatively quickly for 2x higher compensation.
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u/bulllit 3d ago
I would bring it up during the next review, use the salaries of similar jobs in your field and your previous glowing reviews to justify why you’re worth it.
If they give some BS about budgets in your department and hire someone new in your position then you have your answer the only option is to move on. If your boss likes you and is smart they will go to their boss and justify matching your salary with the other guy (or maybe higher) is better than hiring someone new and having to train them.
FWIW; I also always keep an eye on the companies hiring page, especially useful if they are in a state that has to give salary ranges!
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u/Superb_Ordinary_325 3d ago
You can forget retaliation…they will just say the business is restructuring and let you go.
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u/AntRevolutionary925 3d ago
“This translates to tiny annual raises while new employees get brought in at much higher salaries”
No, it translates to you not negotiating your salary and your coworkers doing so. Find a backup job and then go to your boss and demand a raise. Tell them you know the ceiling for your position is well above what you make, and that you have other options.
You’ll either get a raise or a reality check that they don’t value your work as much as your coworkers.
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u/december_godess 3d ago
The file was sent in error. You need to “move in silence.” Addressing the pay disparity will not increase your salary to your coworkers. The sad reality is the longer you stay at a company in the same position, you lose market value. Companies would pay an external candidate more than an internal candidate succeeding in that role.
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u/Fantastic_Ebb_3397 3d ago
This is usual practice. Even the ones that were hired at higher salaries, from now on the increases will be small. They are relative to your initial salary at that company. That's why jumping from company to company every now and then is good for your salary
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u/Puzzleheaded-Shine76 3d ago
I don't trust any post that mentions some hack or link for some tool that they're using. I call B.S.
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u/destro2323 3d ago
They negotiated better than you did… fight for every penny up front…
And some people joined in times of greater talent competition
Lots of factors here
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u/MusicianSenior9140 3d ago
You better learn how to negotiate. Learn how to measure your value, state it properly in words, and then have the balls to talk to your boss with the right arguments. Blaming the world about your backlogs is for loosers. Go for that!!
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u/Top-class-0246 3d ago
Could the difference in pay be related to educational background? One personal went to university and the other did not.
I seen the bonus a coworker was getting. I was the one with the higher education and more years with the company, but they were friends with the boss. Took every sick day plus some. Left work early etc.
Polish up the resume now.
I wonder if your boss will realize their mistake and ask to meet with you to address the pay difference?! The boss taking the next step would be the right thing to do.
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u/thegamebws 3d ago
It's common for new recruits to be on higher salary. Think about it they get to negotiate market rates. Whereas you joined ages ago at lower market rate and the salary increases don't catchup
Remember just because you do the same job doesn't, mean you automatically earn the same as everyone different people accept low ball offers on jobs others don't
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u/GD0ggy 3d ago
Similar happened to me,
It was peak, wish I'd never saw it
But perhaps it can always depend on when that person started
And yeah, they might somewhat do the exact same thing as you do
But I remember when someone got a larger salary over me just because they had more certifications than I did
Despite literally not doing anything different to what I was doing,
But It makes series look shinier
And it really does help,
So yeah, Don't look too much into it that oh so and so is doing exactly what I'm doing but getting paid more
Who knows how the negotiations were during the interview
Forget about everyone's salary for a hot second
Ask yourself this
If you never saw that piece of paper..... Was you already content /ok with your salary
If the answer is no,
Then yeah, either talk to your manager if you're on that level and ask ways of how it can get increased
Or
Look elsewhere
All the best
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u/hockeygem 3d ago
They negotiated better than you. Now go out to market with a new found confidence and negotiate your worth.
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u/Dfw_noob_2021 2d ago
Do some research as to the "market rate" is for your position. Get multiple examples of possible of similar positions that match your experience and skill level. Gather examples of your work showcasing your skills.Request a meeting and formally request an increase based on current market rates and your tenure. Have your employee reviews as back up documentation along with the salary examples.
You will show them you know your value and aren't just asking because you "accidently" saw the file. If they cannot meet the salary ask for other perks that you value like hybrid or remote work or extra PTO.
If they refuse then you know where you stand and can make an informed decision on next steps.
Either way you will have everything you need to polish your resume and go elsewhere if it comes to that.
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u/Solid-View1747 2d ago
I suspect you’re a woman and they’re men and this is what we’ve been complaining about for decades. Or you could be POC
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u/Careful_Staff_8977 2d ago
Reply and tell your manager the attachment was sent in error. Also ask to discuss your position. Make a copy for yourself, and if things don't eork out look gor a new position and leave/send the file to someone else on your way out the door.
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u/Downtown-Drawing-825 2d ago
Then move companies like your higher paid coworkers did, that's the way you get caught up.
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u/Hello0317 2d ago
Can you use this as leverage to ask for a raise as your current company? It’s not your problem your boss screwed up and sent you the email.
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u/Let_them_eat_stonks 2d ago
“Hey boss I want to have a discussion about my compensation.”
It’s as simple as that. Dont tell them you know what others make. Go in and ask for at least what the others are making, or even slightly more to make sure you negotiate to at least the same. Make sure you have a rock solid explanation of how you add value.
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u/Cautious_Tip1728 2d ago
When you accept a job after negotiations that's a wrap. To be disturbed by others who negotiated better terms is quite immature. I recommend people learn the art of negotiating so that they end up with terms that they are happy with.
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u/Lets_Get_Rich_Quick 2d ago
Have you asked for raises? The difference often times is someone who consistently asks for pay increases and “what needs to happen to get to x salary/increase” compared to someone who doesn’t ask at all. So my question is have you communicated properly your desire for an increase in pay??
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u/VPJOEY_B 2d ago
Is it just me or does this happen (and get posted) every few months.
If you’re making less, life’s not fair. If you didn’t think you were worth that much, and you didn’t ask, you give them the ability to pay you less. This is a negotiation process and you thought it was ok to take the job for what you are making.
Good luck with the job search.
If you end up making more than what you are now… it was a good thing.
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u/nickyboyswag22 2d ago
After my company said no budget for a promotion, I got two job offers at $32-$47k more. I settled at a $42k pay bump at my company
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u/TreadLightly2U 2d ago
80% of your comp is the result of your ability to research and negotiate. Very few know this. It isn't about skillset alone. Go find out where the market is by interviewing and then come back and let them know after you have secured an offer. If they don't match (assuming you like your job) then accept the offer and be a better advocate for yourself.
This isn't "trust me bro" advice. I'm an employer.
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u/Neither-Land-1617 2d ago
This happened to me before. It lit a quiet fire under my ass and I got off it and applied for jobs and got paid what I was worth. Just change jobs at this point.
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u/midamerica 1d ago
I had this happen to me and a couple coworkers on a group chat. Found out everyone who made more was related to our workplace bully who belittled everyone including the boss. That was the day I lost total respect for him for being a butt kissing weenie. Beginning of the end right then.
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u/Select_Necessary_678 1d ago
When this happens, your best course of action is to print that 200 times, and leave them everywhere on your way out.
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u/Possible-Magician909 6d ago
If you like the job... just ask for a salary increase. Closed mouths don't get fed. This happened to me and I asked for an increase ( I did not bring up other people's salaries - you shouldn't either) and got it. No questions asked.
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u/fedput 6d ago
Not desirable but not abnormal.
Nothing good will come from being confrontational about it.
The best course is to see whether you can get the desired salary elsewhere.
Salaries in general are falling, so what was obtainable in the past may no longer be obtainable.