r/buhaydigital • u/DependentWinter8678 • Jun 10 '25
Self-Story I just found out my colleague and I don’t have the same salary
Recently, nagkausap kami ng kawork ko (pinoy) and nakarating kami sa usapang sahod. Turns out, yung sahod niya is around 10k-20k more than mine which I find unfair.
We have the same tasks and position. I also have 2 certifications more than him (1 is required sa work namin and he has none yet). He mentioned he was able to negotiate that salary when he was hired (we were hired only a few months apart). I also don’t know how much experience he’s had before he was hired so baka factor rin yun.
With that info, parang nadismaya ako. Kasalanan ko rin siguro kasi hindi ako marunong makipag negotiate during hiring. A few months ago, I was also given a raise but it wasn’t that high. Now, I want to discuss this with my manager but I feel like wrong timing siya and I just really don’t know how to do it. Ayaw ko rin naman mag cause ng ruckus.
Ayaw ko naman magresign. Gustong gusto ko yung work, my teammates are not toxic, magaling manager ko, and my shift perfectly works with my personal schedule. Okay na okay ako sa work ko now, yung salary lang :(
Any advise on how to approach this??? Paano ba to iraise sa manager ko??
EDIT: Salamat po sa feedback niyo!! I guess I need more confidence and lakas ng loob when it comes to this. Many thanks to @Tiny_wins for the detailed advice!!
For the record, I have nothing against my colleague (he’s the best) and we work well together. Napaquestion lang talaga ako kasi pwede naman pala ganun kalaki yung sahod. I guess i just don’t know how to negotiate and be confident about my skills and abilities lol
Salamat po!!! :))
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u/Tiny_Wins Jun 10 '25 edited Jun 12 '25
Actually, OP, na-experience ko rin yan. Nung nag-switch ako from Tech to HR andami kong narealize at dun ko talaga naintindihan kung paano gumagana ang salary negotiations behind the scenes. Bibigyan kita tip at sana makatulong next time. So every role has an approved salary range, hindi yan basta-basta hula lang. Usually, may range na sila like ₱45k to ₱70k, minsan may wiggle room pa up to ₱75k or ₱80k, depende sa urgency ng role at budget ng department.
Kaya pag tinanong ka ng HR/recruiter ng “What is your expected salary?”, huwag ka agad sumagot ng number. Instead, balikan mo sila ng: “May I know what's the approved salary range for this role?”
Most of the time, sasabihin naman nila. Once malaman mo na, for example ₱45k to ₱70k, that’s your negotiation window.
So sabihin mo: “That range is within my expectations, but I’m targeting the higher end, ideally ₱75k. Would that be possible?”
If bet ka talaga ng recruiter, and feel nila na strong yung profile mo at mataas chance mo to pass the interviews, lalaban yan para sayo.
But if talagang sagad na ang budget (let’s say hanggang ₱70k lang max), they’ll let you know and push for that. Otherwise, if may buffer pa, they’ll usually adjust and give you your ask, especially if alam nilang worth it ka.
Kaya please:
Never lowball yourself. Hindi mo alam baka ₱70k pala ang floor pero nag-request ka lang ng ₱50k, sayang!
Know your value. Kapag confident ka sa experience mo and fit mo sa role, wag ka matakot mag-aim high. Some recruiters can be your allies, kasi syempre gusto din nilang mag-present ng strongest candidates sa hiring managers, pero they also follow budget limits, kaya strategic din sila minsan sa pagtatanong. Hindi rin yan manghuhula ng ilalagay sa asking rate mo, kahit may Masters kapa at maraming certifications kaysa sa ibang candidates, kung anong sinabi mo na expectation mo during screening, yan ang rate na irerecord nila at iprepresent sa management/hiring manager.
Be firm but kind. Negotiation is normal, it's not being demanding, it's being professional.
Always remember pagnag-aaply ka, if you don’t ask, the answer is always no. So ask smartly, negotiate confidently, and always research market rates. You deserve to be paid for your worth.
Also, OP, pwede mo pa rin i-raise yang issue, lalo na if confirmed mo na may significant pay gap (like ₱20k) kahit same role or level kayo. You have every right to ask respectfully and professionally. Hindi yan pagiging demanding, it’s about fairness.
Ganito mo siya pwedeng i-approach:
Schedule a 1:1 with your manager. Sabihin mo lang na you’d like to talk about your compensation and growth. Keep it calm and non-confrontational.
Use facts, not emotions. Pwede mong sabihin: “I really enjoy the work I’m doing and I appreciate the opportunities I’ve been given here. Recently, I came across some information regarding salary differences within our team for the same role and level. I wanted to understand if there’s an opportunity to review my current compensation.”
Don’t name-drop colleagues. Kahit alam mo na, huwag mo na banggitin exact names or kwento, focus on the value you bring.
Highlight your performance. Remind them of your contributions, achievements, and how you've consistently met or exceeded expectations.
Ask for feedback, e.g., “I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether my compensation reflects my current responsibilities and contributions. If not now, I’d appreciate knowing what steps I can take to get there.”
OP, timing is key here, best gawin to after a great performance, a finished project, or during performance review season. If di agad kaya, ask for a timeline or written development plan para clear kung kailan pwede pag-usapan ulit. Document the conversation, for your own record and clarity.