I had a lot of chatty friends at work and eventually realized I was making CONSIDERABLY less than all of them for the same or lesser work. Even the receptionist was making more than I was. The morons they had me training to do my old job after I was promoted were making more than I was. I was hired in low for whatever reason and they werent going to increase it no matter how good of a worker I was until their hand was forced. I worked there for about a year before it came up but I did make it clear that I was not happy with my compensation and I was prepared to move on. When I left that company after three years, my salary was over 30% higher than when I started and about where it was supposed to be. We were all paid less than the industry standard, however, which is part of why I ultimately ended up leaving anyway.
Looking back at it all, I would have been better off NOT knowing and just leaving to go someplace that would pay me better. It was nice to know and be able to negotiate myself a higher salary, but if they were willing to screw me that way, do you think that was the only way they’d shortchange me over the years? Of course not. If you’re not happy look for other opportunities, if you are don’t worry about it. Otherwise you just end up angry.