“She says she won’t stay if the company doesn’t address the pay disparity.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“And?”
Karen shook her head.
“You two have created a mess.”
I laughed softly.
“No, Karen.”
I stood and picked up my bag.
“The company created the mess.”
She didn’t argue.
For the first time in six years, I walked out of that building without feeling guilty.
My new job started the following Monday.
The salary was $92,000.
The benefits were better.
The hours were better.
And, perhaps most importantly, my new manager actually asked what I thought my work was worth.
I gave her an honest answer.
She listened.
A month later, Emily called me.
She had negotiated a raise.
Not to $100,000.
Not to anything dramatic.
But enough to make her feel valued.
She also told me that the company had finally reviewed the salary structure for the entire department.
