Agreed fully. It was a bad move to look at the letter (even if it was in the open). Don't follow up with another move that's even worse. Not only will your slip

Agreed fully. It was a bad move to look at the letter (even if it was in the open). Don't follow up with another move that's even worse. Not only will your slip-up become known but you're boss and the new hire will be be mad at you. Plus, as someone else said: unless you know what male new hires get paid now, there is no evidence of any wrongdoing. Also: maybe they get some other benefit (e.g. relocation money) you don't receive or you just negotiated better.