Three Names on the Pay Sheet

During a busy festival, a local company hired three temporary guides. Hugo showed visitors around in English, Lise used French, and Martin used German. They followed the same route, worked the same hours and shared the difficult late afternoon groups.

On the last day, they compared their payment forms while checking the office address. Hugo noticed that his daily rate was lower. He had accepted the first amount offered, while the others had asked whether the company could pay more. He felt foolish, then angry with himself for feeling foolish.

Lise suggested that they raise the difference together. At the office, they described their equal duties and asked how the rates had been decided. The coordinator admitted there was no common rate for the guides. She could not change the completed forms immediately, but she agreed to discuss them with the person responsible for payments.

A week later, Hugo received an extra payment bringing his rate into line with the others. For the next festival, the company advertised one daily rate for that role. Hugo was pleased, though still uncomfortable remembering the conversation. He sent Lise and Martin a photograph of the new advertisement. Martin replied with a picture of his walking shoes, already ready for another long route.