FEBRUARY 24 — I once worked at an NGO where I had to endure one workplace malady: the chronically complaining colleague.

One group in particular liked sitting around griping about how “those foreigners” got paid more. Never mind that the said international NGO paid non-local staff in USD. Of course that would equate to a great exchange to the ringgit and afford them a lifestyle far more comfortable than they would experience in more developed countries.

“They don’t even pay EPF!” My then-colleagues blithely chose to ignore the fact that working for said NGO also meant that their incomes were exempt from taxation.

They say it’s rude to ask people what they get paid—even the people you work with. I personally think that questionable rule is more to keep the peace than anything else. Because people would inevitably compare and dissatisfaction is bound to occur.

To some Malaysians, it seems blatantly unfair to bring in someone from overseas and pay them a lot more. They don’t seem to realise that should they also get to work abroad, recruiters would likely also try and entice them with salaries quoted in US dollars.

The reality is that when you’re in the corporate sphere, if you want a better salary you have to negotiate one and be prepared to move around a fair bit. The typical salary increment often can’t match the salary boost you would get from just switching companies.

According to the writer, if you want a better salary you have to negotiate one and be prepared to move around a fair bit. — Reuters pic

If you’re sitting around complaining about why so-and-so gets paid so much instead of working, that’s not productive at all. If your employer isn’t paying you what you think you deserve, change employers. Unless of course, you’re not confident you could get a job better than your current one.

I think it’s important that employers pay, at the very minimum, living wages. No one should be expected to work for too little but at the same time, griping about what your employers pay your colleagues is unprofessional.

The sad thing is these “Why does so-and-so get more than me” people are rarely excellent workers. Bitter and resentful, they often end up being non-performers at work, further justifying their salaries. 

Asking why your colleague gets more than you is the wrong question to ask. Unless of course it’s a case where you’re discriminated against on the basis of gender, race, or religion. In that kind of situation you shouldn’t be working for employers like that in the first place.

The real question you should be asking yourself is, “How could I get paid more?” Your options might be more varied than you think.

Word of advice: That colleague who won’t stop griping about pay or bonuses? Just don’t hang out with them. They’ll probably still be there, three years on when you’ve left for a much better job.

* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.