Comparisons generally suck – comparing your wardrobe, car, house or anything with others is usually an instant ticket to Sadtown.
However, if there’s one thing in life you probably should compare if you’re feeling a little suss, it’s your salary.
Understanding whether your salary is normal compared to others doing similar roles within the same industry is imperative to ensuring your overall well-being is kept intact. Being fairly remunerated for your hard work and efforts is basically the foundation of society, but unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen.
Luckily, there are ways to figure out exactly how much you should be getting paid and what steps to take in the instance you aren’t – here are a few ways to check whether your paycheque is actually up to scratch.
Talk To Fair Work
The Fair Work Ombudsman is the fountain of all knowledge when it comes to payment. There’s a tonne of jargon to wrap your head around when it comes to stuff like salaries and awards, and their meaning can differ depending on what industry you’re in. Fair work awards are constantly updated, as well as detailed information around changes to minimum wage, part-time and casual awards, penalty rates, and different full-time work elements.
You’ll be able to use their calculator, which provides an accurate picture of the base pay rates, allowances and penalty rates (including overtime) you’re entitled to.
If you’ve sussed out their calculator and have gathered enough evidence pointing towards not being paid correctly, you can reach out to them for further assistance and contact them through their page here.
Educate Yourself On Super
It can be easy to forget about the impact super has on our lives while in the midst of our working careers. It’s generally something we glaze over when signing contracts, and we can generally have a ‘set and forget’ attitude towards it, expecting our employers will handle it all. While we might not be getting a taste of what those extra bucks could do for us right now, super is an integral element of your overall pay package, so keeping track of it is essential in knowing whether you’re being paid fairly.
Employers have an obligation to pay a mandatory 9.5 per cent super contribution to keep your future as cosy as possible. Despite it being mandatory, according to the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia, the average person may lose around $4,000 a year due to superannuation guarantee non-compliance. If you’ve recognised that you haven’t been paid super, you can lodge an enquiry on the ATO website using the online Employee superannuation guarantee (SG) calculator tool. Institutions like CareSuper also offer members further support if you’ve been previously underpaid in super, as well as guide you on how you can maximise and protect your future savings.
Reach Out To Others In Your Industry
This one may seem daunting, but talking to others within your industry who work at different organisations is key in gaining a broader understanding of how to deal with these circumstances and manage expectations when it comes to payment.
Joining networking groups and reaching out to peers who you trust are the most impactful resources you can have in your arsenal, as they’ll not only offer practical advice but emotional support as well. Because let’s face it, this stuff can take a mental toll, so it’s important you back yourself and ensure you’ve got people to lean on when things get tough.
Discussing ways to negotiate pay rises, approach management about unfair pay and other steps to take if you’ve recognised an ongoing problem will help you formulate a plan of attack to come to a solution. You don’t need to suffer in silence with all this – educate yourself, and get the pay and super you deserve for your hard work.
