Companies policies enforceable by law?

[osujudoman]

What is the name of your state? Ohio

Hi, I work for OSU Medical Center as a computer operator. It's a state run organization and my position is classified civil service (hourly).

My issue is that over a year ago a coworker was hired making 26% more than me. Well I recently was looking over the company-wide policies and procedures manual and found a section addressing this issue. The section states that a new hire cannot come in making more than current employees doing the same job. If he does get hired at a higher rate (whether it be due to experience, necessity, or whatever), any other coworkers who are currently making less than this new hire must have their wages increased to equal that higher wage.

I presented this to my director and he immediately started looking for ways to get around the company policy.

Since the policy has been in place for years, can I pursue legal action to force my director to comply and increase my wage? Since my coworker was hired over a year ago, should I go after the back pay as well?

 

[cbg]

A company policy is just that - a policy or guideline. It does not have the force of law and the law is not going to force them to comply with it.

The only time the law is going to interfere with a company policy is if the policy itself is illegal. In that case, the law would force the company to change the policy.

But in your case, since it is not illegal for the company to hire someone at a rate higher than yours without increasing your pay, EVEN IF there is a policy that says they must, the law is not going to force the company to adhere to their policy.

And just how do you know what the other co-worker is making, anyway?

Edited to include:

I just saw that you are a civil service employee. That MIGHT change things, (underline MIGHT) but the correct way to go about it would be to contact the state DOL, NOT to run straight to a lawsuit.