Do you work with colleagues who earn more for the same work? And is it then said: “Yes, but you are a student” or “You are a temporary worker”?
Many young people accept that difference, but that is not always necessary.
In this blog we explain when you are entitled to equal pay, when wage differences are not allowed and what you can do if you are structurally paid too little.
for:
young people
students
part-timers
temporary workers
An employer may not simply make a distinction.
When is a pay difference allowed?
Not every pay difference is automatically prohibited. A pay difference is sometimes possible, for example with:
demonstrably more experience
higher education that is really relevant
additional responsibilities
longer service period
But: the difference must be objectively explainable.
“You are young” or “it's just a part-time job” is no valid reason.
Common situations in which things go wrong
Among young people we often see:
permanent employees earn more for the same work
temporary workers receive a lower hourly wage
students receive fewer allowances
young people are structurally in a lower scale
👉 In many of these situations, the wage difference is not allowed
Equal pay for temporary workers
For temporary workers an extra important rule applies:
👉 equal pay for equal work at the hirer.
This means that you as temporary worker may be entitled to:
the same hourly wage
the same allowances
the same allowances
as colleagues who are directly employed and do the same work.
Here, in practice, it is very is often wrong.
How do you know if your salary is too low?
Ask yourself these questions:
Do I do the same work as my colleagues?
Do I have the same responsibilities?
Do we work the same shifts?
Is the pay difference well explained?
Can you provide a clear reason? think of?
Then the difference is suspicious.
What if the employer says: “This is the policy”?
Internal rules or “policy” may:
not be contrary to the law
not be discriminatory
Certainly not if the distinction is purely based on:
age
being a student
type of contract
That often does not hold up legally.
What can you do if you earn too little?
Use this step-by-step plan:
Compare your salary with colleagues
Check contract, collective labor agreement and pay slip
Ask for an explanation in writing
Ask for adjustment or additional payment
Take action if nothing happens
In some cases you can:
receive wages with retroactive effect
receive allowances after all
enforce structural increases
Common mistakes made by young people
think that age explains everything
consider wage differences normal
don't dare to ask questions
assume that temporary workers always get less
wait too long
That often costs unnecessary money.
Are you unsure whether your salary is correct?
Are you:
student
part-timer
temporary worker
young person with a part-time job
and think you think you earn less than colleagues for the same work?
Then have it checked. It often turns out that:
the wage difference is incorrect
you are entitled to additional payment
the employer goes too far
👉 Feel free to contact us to have your situation assessed.