I've been in Ontario for just over a year, working for a small but very successful business. I've recently found out that my professional colleagues earn $33,000 per year more than I do. Ironically, my boss (a very manipulative narcissist) feels very strongly I'm overpaid but doesn't know I know what my colleagues are paid.

As I'm still on a work visa, can anyone advise me on my best options.

Thanks

Tough spot indeed. When will you become eligible for PR?

My application is being submitted atm but I've heard nothing from the lawyer for nearly 2 months (courtesy of my boss). Feels though I'm being strung along.

Can you not just apply yourself rather than relying on a lawyer hired by somebody else?

Exactly i dont know why the OP isn't doing this themselves instead of lining someone else pocket

If you feel strongly enough and if you have the courage, I would contact the Ontario Human Rights Commission to see if they can help.

issues.Ontario Human Rights Commission |

For what? One has to prove specific discrimination, not being pissed off because someone else is earning more. If the terms and conditions are unsatisfactory, every employee has the right to leave. If an employer fails to meet the terms of a LMIA, that is a separate issue.

It does no harm to determine if comes under their jurisdiction. Even Auditor General is saying the foreign worker program is being abused by employers.



http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/ag-r...kers-1.4117130

Admittedly $33k is a big difference but are you equal in all other ways? Are you younger, less experience? Less job specific experience, no Canadian experience? Any less qualified education-wise?

These are big factors here. And even if you have vastly more professional experience you are still an unknown quantity.

Personally I'd get all my immigration ducks in a row, then consider carefully raising the issue, with suitable back up, especially bearing in mind the personality you could be going up against. 😉

$33,000 is a huge increase, if you're performing the same job then even with experience taken into account that is a big difference.

However I think it is one of those situation's where you're not going to get any joy by challenging this. Although I am sure there's routes to challenge this as discrimination; if the boss is how you say, then your life will no doubt get worse or you'll be let go at the first available opportunity.

If it were me, I'd pursue PR on my own back, get it and then get another job and move on.

They cannot discriminate on the grounds the OP has no Canadian experience, it is against Ontario Human Rights laws.

Removing the "Canadian experience" barrier (brochure) | Ontario Human Rights Commission

"The policy, unveiled by the Commission July 15, states that a strict requirement for "Canadian experience" is discriminatory, and can only be used in rare circumstances. In a statement, the OHRC said "Employers and regulatory bodies need to ask about all of a job applicant's previous work - where they got their experience does not matter. The policy also tells employers and regulatory bodies how to develop practices, policies and programs that do not result in discrimination."

https://www.utoronto.ca/news/why-can...s-human-rights

However, I do agree that it would be better for them to apply for PR themselves, rather than waiting on an employer who appears to be less than satisfactory.

I appreciate that, but that's not what the employer would admit they're doing.

But you are an unknown quantity who has worked in other parts of the world where they do "stuff" differently, and even if hired because of that, or in spite of it, it doesn't sound like this particular employer fully "appreciates" what the OP brings to the table. So take the experience of the first job, milk it (the experience) and run away with the knowledge of how to bargain better for the next salary.

We have positions at work where it would not be hard to have a $33k pay discrepancy between the employees. Admittedly we're larger and structured on pay bands, but it's quite possible a newbie could be hired at $33k less or more than a more seasoned colleague with years of experience.

Depends on the absolute numbers.

In my role as pimp, or executive consultant provision person, or something. I had a chap out on a contract for $350/hr consistently 40 hours per week. His wife was better qualified and contracted to the same place but she's a woman so we could only get $250 for her. That's a difference of around $200,000/yr for no good reason. This shit happens all the time, there's no effective obligation on an employer in Ontario to act decently, they do pay more or less on a whim and they can fire people on a whim too. I canned someone who wouldn't answer the phone while driving and who spent half of every weekend driving to and from his cottage. The man behind me now was dumped from a permanent job after 20+ years for having a heart attack. I was fired from a permanent job for untidy parking.

There's a significant cultural difference between the employer/employee relationship in Europe and that in North America; in the former employers have responsibilities. I'd be inclined to grit my teeth, hang on for PR and then get another job.

Wise advice. The OP is unlikely to win this one. Get PR and move on. I'm paid half what I'm worth (as is everyone else in our company) but no-one wants to listen!

FIFY.