How do I deal with my colleague who hasn't been the same towards me since I got a pay rise?

Question

We're quite close, we're both secretaries and get along quite fine. I temp here at the company while she's permanent. I belong to the company's temporary internal staff agency (I'm not from an outside agency). I asked if I could have a pay rise, as I hadn't had one in 3 years and I got one!! She hasn't been deliberately rude to me, but now she'll say things like, "I wish I was on £______ per hour".I don't even work here all the time and when I don't work here I get a drop in hourly rate, in which she knows this. How can I feel less 'guilty' about wanting to better myself? I told her she shuold look for another job if she feels she's not getting enough.

Answer 1

Tell her that "within reason" you will help her to apply for a pay rise, or do the things that you did, to achieve the pay rise.

The first thing you did was wait three years.

Be nice or let go.

Answer 2

Yeah just ignore it, it's not your problem, you don't decide how much each employee is paid. She'll get over it after a while anyway.

Answer 3

I am sorry but I do not agree with the other people who answered. You go to work, and you want it to be a pleasant place. You had a nice working relationship with this lady and it made work more bearable, fun etc.

Talk to her, and if she still seems to give you the cold shoulder talk to her and tell her that you dont want to loose her friendship over something so petty.

It could be that she is struggling to make ends meet. I know how that feels, and I also know how it feels that people get promoted above me, hired instead of me, and have pay rises. I dont begrudge these people, it just smarts sometimes.  

Answer 4

Does it really matter that she's ignoring you? Is is affecting your performance at work? Is the quality of your life affected? If the answer to these questions is no then I suggest you just ignore it. If you get into petty squabbles, you will look unprofessional and this will be noted by your employers.

Answer 5

you shouldn't have told her but hindsight is 20/20, just be cheerful and nice. DO NOT acknowledge her snide comments or it will be fuel for her to keep them up.  

Answer 6

I don't think she is at all rude to you at all. She is just expressing her preference on a permanent or temporary job. Why must you be guilty you have proof to her that temporary staff can get a pay rise.

Answer 7

do you earn more than her