So I have an early morning meeting with an employee and HR that was setup by HR, no description of what's going on, just a meeting called "touchbase on concerns". Those are never fun, so I call in to see what's the issue. Here's what happened.
Employee: "Puppy, you know that California is looking to pass a law that is making pay equal regardless of gender?"
Me: "Yes"
Employee: "Well, I was hoping we could start that discussion to make my pay equal to my male counterparts."
Me: "Wait. You want to make less?"
Employee: "What?"
Me: "You make more than anyone else in your position."
Employee: "Are you sure?"
HR: "Yes. I looked before when you asked for this meeting. You make 8% more than your closest male counterpart. I also looked and have the average salary for your position in California, which we pay 6% more than the average, not including your benefits. I've just now sent it to you."
Employee: "You could have told me all this BEFORE setting up a meeting with my boss and making me look dumb."
I had to smooth things over. Blah blah blah, you're a valuable employee, blah blah blah let's discuss this more in our one and ones blah blah blah. But damage is done. Now I have to deal with an HR that's pissed off because they feel that they're just doing their job and were thrown under the bus for it. I get her position that HR could have just told her the data if they had it. I get HR's point that as her manager I needed to be aware. And I also have to deal with an employee who's feeling embarrassed and set up. Not a good way to start a Monday brehs.
