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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Company messed up salary- unsure what to do

116 replies

ThatLovingNavyLion · 07/08/2026 12:23

Applied for a job which was a step up, seemed like a good company to work for and so on. Went through all the checks, DBS, references, gave my 5 weeks notice in my old job and got a start date. Had an offer letter, contract was given to me on day 2 of the job (today)
About an hour before I got it HR advised me of an 'error' that my salary was actually X amount lower than what was advertised on TES, but said 'oh but it's only about £15 a month less after tax'

I can live with that so I said ok no problem. Then I checked later and it's more like £140 a month less, which is a lot for me as I'm still living month-to-month and trying to build up savings.

However when they gave me the contract it demonstrated the same amount as what they originally displayed on TES. I signed it, I should've disputed it really. So was the 'new' pay actually correct or did they forget to update the contract? (They'd told me they'd put the revised pay on the contract)

I'm unsure whether to look for another job as I don't think it's good enough to reveal a new salary after I've started. I'm going to speak to ACAS, I know I've also maybe messed up here I just panicked on the spot.

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 07/08/2026 12:42

saveforthat · 07/08/2026 12:40

I'm not trying to insult just struggling to understand how such a massive mistake could have been made. Anyway the employer sounds completely chaotic, op has signed a contract with the higher salary. Definitely try ACAS.

You are, you said it was ridiculous that she worked it out so wrong and that you hope she’s not a math teacher. Clearly trying to insult her/imply she’s stupid. It’s the employer that has messed up here.

saveforthat · 07/08/2026 12:40

ToKittyornottoKitty · 07/08/2026 12:36

Such a pointless thread to be trying to insult the OP on.

I'm not trying to insult just struggling to understand how such a massive mistake could have been made. Anyway the employer sounds completely chaotic, op has signed a contract with the higher salary. Definitely try ACAS.

Bjorkdidit · 07/08/2026 12:40

They have messed up haven't they? And now you've signed a contract based on a salary they're now reneging on.

Assuming the salary posted on TES is reasonable and they can't argue must be an obvious mistake, I'd try and hold them to it. Get your union and/or ACAS involved.

Although of course they could use it as an excuse to dismiss you while you have limited employment rights, but I'm sure that, unless you're an awful teacher, you won't be out of work for long.

WhereAreWeNow · 07/08/2026 12:38

If the job is in education, are you in a union? If so, please contact your union helpline.

ToKittyornottoKitty · 07/08/2026 12:36

saveforthat · 07/08/2026 12:34

I know but to be nearly 10 times the amount out is ridiculous

Such a pointless thread to be trying to insult the OP on.

Stompythedinosaur · 07/08/2026 12:36

Of course you need to challenge this. You accepted the job on the basis of the higher pay. Get your union involved if you need to!

saveforthat · 07/08/2026 12:34

ToKittyornottoKitty · 07/08/2026 12:31

It’s not always that easy to predict what tax and national insurance will be with a new salary!

I know but to be nearly 10 times the amount out is ridiculous

saveforthat · 07/08/2026 12:34

Crusttt · 07/08/2026 12:32

TES is jobs related to education.

I hope op is not a maths teacher

Crusttt · 07/08/2026 12:32

saveforthat · 07/08/2026 12:29

So you (and they) have signed a contract with the salary as the higher figure? That should stand. How on earth could you think the difference is £15 not £140 a month, could you not just divide by 12?
What is TES?

TES is jobs related to education.

ThatLovingNavyLion · 07/08/2026 12:32

I panicked a bit on the spot as it was all in person, which I know is my fault. when they said oh it's only £15 a month i took their word stupidly. It's making me concerned whether they'll be a trustworthy company.

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 07/08/2026 12:31

saveforthat · 07/08/2026 12:29

So you (and they) have signed a contract with the salary as the higher figure? That should stand. How on earth could you think the difference is £15 not £140 a month, could you not just divide by 12?
What is TES?

It’s not always that easy to predict what tax and national insurance will be with a new salary!

ToKittyornottoKitty · 07/08/2026 12:30

Why didn’t you ask before signing? If they said it verbally I’d just be informing them they’ve paid you incorrectly and asking them to rectify it

saveforthat · 07/08/2026 12:29

So you (and they) have signed a contract with the salary as the higher figure? That should stand. How on earth could you think the difference is £15 not £140 a month, could you not just divide by 12?
What is TES?

ThatLovingNavyLion · 07/08/2026 12:29

ToKittyornottoKitty · 07/08/2026 12:25

So you signed a contract with the expected salary in it but they are paying you less? Did they tell you about the pay reduction in writing?

No, HR said it verbally. I'll speak to them today, I don't understand why they said they'd revise the salary on the contract but then displayed the original salary.

OP posts:
ToKittyornottoKitty · 07/08/2026 12:25

So you signed a contract with the expected salary in it but they are paying you less? Did they tell you about the pay reduction in writing?

ThatLovingNavyLion · 07/08/2026 12:24

They sounded quite sure about the '£15 a month less' too.

OP posts: