1 of 13

Write now Article Tools

There are some easy (and some not so easy) steps to follow to find out if you are being exploited by your employer:

FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU ARE WORTH:

Find out exactly what rewards you should be getting for your hard work. Financial compensation is the easiest to measure, and there are several easily available methods to measure your worth in this area. There are a lot of ways to do this. The best way is to obtain the official salary or hourly ranges for your position. This is often easier than it looks. If you have a Human Resource department, in many cases they will furnish you maximum and minimum ranges, and in almost all cases they will give you a normal starting range and what your potential pay rates can be in time. This is typically used to motivate you, but can also help you know what is possible.

If your company is close to the vest on salary ranges, then you need to look a little harder. Most job-sites, such as Monster.com, have salary evaluators based on position, type of company, and area of the country. This is also the only real way to measure benefit comparisons, as your internal resources will only glorify the benefits they offer, no matter how they compare to other companies and industries. If this doesn't work, then you need to get a bit dirty. Though it's against most company policies, the worst punishment you can expect for asking what other employees make is a slap on the wrist typically. You might step on some toes, so make sure it's worth it...

GET CREDIT FOR YOUR WORK:

When you have a good idea what compensation and benefits someone in your position should be receiving, you will know if you are being exploited financially. More insidious than this is being exploited by doing other people's work, either your peers or your superiors, for which they are being compensated and not you. This includes uncompensated overtime, "voluntary" Saturdays, and filling in for employees who are out sick while still doing your own job.

MEASURE WHAT YOUR PEERS DO:

Is your work the equivalent of your peers? Or are you putting in more hours, working harder, and/or being held to higher standards. An easy way to measure that last is if you've ever heard, "Well, that's Joe, and you know he isn't the performer that you are". Unless you are being paid more or have a superior position, you should not be held to a higher standard than your co-workers. If you are compensated equally and work harder, then you are being exploited.

There are things you can do if you are being exploited to balance the scales (shameless plug, see http://www.helium.com/tm/84336 5/being-exploited-employer-you ve). But remember that being harassed or mistreated is not the same as being exploited. In many cases exploitation is something a company will put up with or tacitly agree with. If you are being harassed or mistreated, you need a lawyer and a new job!

Learn more about this author, Benjamin Lomax.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about How to tell if you are exploited by your employer?
We want to hear your view. Write now!