I'm not a fan of the idea that people in the same position should earn the same. The job description may be the same, but two people are never identical. They have different experience, different soft skills, different motivation, goals and commitment to the job. One person can be helpful, kind and bring a lot to the team, and the other the exact opposite.
I know from experience that talking about pay brings nothing good. Either you end up feeling bad, or your coworker does. Your relationship will never be the same.
Don't compare yourself to others. Walk your own path. Research the market. See what other companies do and how much they pay. That's a better source of salary info than your coworkers.
Asking for a raise
Even if you do find out, knowing it won't be a good argument when you ask for a raise. At most it can nudge you to have that conversation, which you should do every now and then anyway, because it's good negotiating practice.
If you feel you bring a lot of value at work, set up a meeting about a raise and say up front that this is what you want to talk about. Prepare well. Look back at the work you've done so far and ask yourself:
- what are you good at?
- what have you achieved?
- what have you delivered?
- which direction would you like to grow in next?
Your years on the job, inflation and what other people earn are not reasons for a raise, so don't play those cards.
Giving ultimatums won't go down well either. It's better to share your ambitions and financial expectations, and ask what kind of employee you'd have to become to meet them.
That shows maturity, doesn't put anyone in an awkward spot and opens the door to a discussion. You never know who you'll cross paths with in the future, and it's better to leave a good impression as someone worth working with.
A good time to talk about a raise is a change in your responsibilities (e.g. a promotion or a coworker leaving) or a contract renewal.
Not just money
A raise doesn't have to be about money. Think about other perks. For example, if you're self-employed and work full-time on a contract, you can negotiate paid days off. An extra 25 days is worth as much as a raise of one monthly paycheck.
Other ideas:
- fewer working hours (e.g. switching to 3/4 time)
- working remotely on some days or a few times a month
- private healthcare
- gym memberships
- changing how you're employed to save on taxes: employment contract vs. service contract vs. your own business
But if after the conversation you feel you've been brushed off and nothing will come of it, have a plan B. Maybe it's time for new challenges somewhere new.
Lower taxes
If you're thinking of setting up as a sole trader, keep the law in mind. If your work has the hallmarks of an employment contract, switching to self-employment can be a risky move.
The hallmarks of an employment contract are working:
- at set hours
- at a set place
- on equipment provided by the employer
If your business boils down to sending one invoice a month, sooner or later you may get audited. You're a tasty morsel the tax office can easily filter out when it goes after unpaid taxes.