In my startup experience (in the 1980s) as a recent CS graduate, there were 2 disheartening situations: 1) An intern was paid 25% more than me. The disparity w

In my startup experience (in the 1980s) as a recent CS graduate, there were 2 disheartening situations: 1) An intern was paid 25% more than me. The disparity was even greater, since he was paid on a hourly basis, and I was salaried, working 60 hr+ weeks. It was baffling, the intern wasn't a family relation, and had no special skills. In fact, I had to onboard him. But, for whatever reason, he got an absurdly high wage. I suppose the hiring manager (who later went on to be an early Microsoft VP) wanted to be magnanimous and help a college student, but why not also be magnanimous with your regular employees who are busting their butts? 2) Starting salaries for new grads were increasing faster than salaries for existing employees, and salaries for existing employees weren't adjusted accordingly. Existing employees got stock options on more favorable terms though (having started earlier).