Equal Pay question

[jbd1028]

I live and work in Tennessee. I have worked at my current job for 8 months at the same rate of hourly pay. Is it legal for my employer to raise the starting hourly pay for newly-hired employees, yet refuse to increase my pay rate to match? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[T-DESIGNER]

I am no attorney, but I suspect yes, it is legal, unless it
falls under minimum wage guidelines.

This is going be very very hard for you to do, since you
probably feel you are being cheated, but you should:

1) show more enthusiasm about your job, your
employers, etc. (important)
2) never, never, never complain (very important)
3) be over friendly with your supervisors, and fellow
employees, and show interest in their lives and
their problems (most important).

If you take interest in their lives, they will take interest in
yours, but don't force your problems on other people by
complaining ... it is not the way to make friends.

Most employers do not want to lose a good employee or
a good friend. Eventually you will be rewarded.

Good Luck!

Citizen Brown

 

[cbg]

In general, yes, it is legal. The only exception would be if ALL the new hires belonged to a different race, gender, national origin etc. and you had reason to believe that this was the real reason they were hired at a higher rate.

 

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

I am no attorney, but I suspect yes, it is legal, unless it
falls under minimum wage guidelines.

This is going be very very hard for you to do, since you
probably feel you are being cheated, but you should:

1) show more enthusiasm about your job, your
employers, etc. (important)
2) never, never, never complain (very important)
3) be over friendly with your supervisors, and fellow
employees, and show interest in their lives and
their problems (most important).

If you take interest in their lives, they will take interest in
yours, but don't force your problems on other people by
complaining ... it is not the way to make friends.

Most employers do not want to lose a good employee or
a good friend. Eventually you will be rewarded.

Good Luck!

Citizen Brown

Dear T-Designer / Citizen Brown:

I just thought I'd mention that your response was very nice, and had many good suggestions.

However, and not to detract anything from your fine words, I also thought I'd mention that your response caught my funny bone because it sounds (and reads) like something you'd get in a "fortune cookie" !

Nice to have you around. Again, good response.

IAAL