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Writer's pictureLauren Howard

Ask L2: Underpaid – but Will the Grass Be Greener Elsewhere?

"I see potential for professional development for me and the company, and none of these things are abnormal in our industry, so I’m stuck wondering if the grass will ever be greener?"


Disclaimer: Identities are kept confidential. The advice given here should be taken at your own risk. If you are having true mental or physical issues, please seek professional assistance.


I recently was told by an ex-employee of my new company that I’m making a third less than the other sales team members (all male, I am the only female) with exact same title and responsibility. I have more experience in sales and the industry than some of them.


I was told they could only increase my commission but haven’t received written confirmation of how it will be calculated after the change - we all have different goals and rates based on territory history. They said they can increase my salary by half of the gap starting next year. They’ve also not been paying commissions on time since I started.


Do I cut my losses and look for another position? I see so much potential for both professional development for me and the company as a whole, and none of these things are abnormal in our industry so I’m stuck wondering if the grass will ever be greener? Is it even possible to find that unicorn company that truly values people who love solving problems, getting things done, and improving the customer experience while growing revenue and profits?


 

So, let me get this straight . . . they know they’re underpaying you, they have a history of paying you late, and they have made minimal, if any, attempt to rectify the situation since they’ve been told and the question is if this is going to change?


Sounds to me like you have given them every opportunity to show you who they are and they have. Believe them.


That doesn’t mean you have to jump ship tomorrow or make a decision that’s bad for your immediate future, but it does mean that you should stop pouring good emotional energy after bad.


You don’t owe them loyalty. You don’t owe them the benefit of the doubt when they have never offered that. Do the right thing for you, find a better place to land, and ask for pay transparency wherever that is. If they don’t want to give it, then it’s probably not the right place to land.


I have a suspicion that you already know all of this and just needed to be told it again. The bottom line is, believe people when they show you who they are the first time.


L2



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