Got a job offer - anyone negotiated offer before?

[Lulalala]

Hi all, posting in chat for some traffic!

So I have been offered a new job. Its not a pain increase but it’s a good move for me and away from my horrible current role!

Has anyone negotiated on annual leave? I’m losing about one week of annual leave by moving. The contract says after 5 years it will increase. Is it worth asking or just accepting by moving I will lose my current level for a few years?

Also it’s longer core hours. Instead of 9-5.30 it’s 9-6. That later finish means I will struggle with nursery pick up. I suppose the option is shorten my lunch break but I would rather avoid that. Do you think I can ask if there’s flexibility with the core hours ie if I come in early or does that sound cheeky?

Also I discussed with them about working from home one day. They said they do it but not much more was said. Is it ok to ask them about this now?

Sorry so many questions but I’m wondering what’s ok to ask and I don’t want to annoy them...!

Definitely ask about the home working, thats becoming more and more common.

You should ask about flexibility with hours, does it mean you are effectively taking a pay cut as you are working longer hours? If they can't negotiate on hours they maybe able to on pay. You should also ask about the holiday, but it may prove difficult for them to be flexible on that as it is probably very specific company policy, but if you don't ask, you'll never know and if you do ask they may say yes :)

You shouldn't annoy them just by asking the questions, its more about how you ask.

Many companies will let you buy annual leave - I do. I buy an extra week a year and it's taken out of my salary each month.

Standard working hours and annual leave are hard to negotiate on.

It’s absolutely ok to ask about this stuff - haggle hard, now, while they want you. Ask for more holiday, ask to work the hours you want (shorter lunch or an earlier start) and ask that they agree a day from home every week. Consider whether there’s anything else you want too, like parking?

Otherwise why would you move? No pay increase, less AL, harder to arrange nursery pick up.

Yes, I negotiated extra holiday. They knew I was on 30 days where I was so they matched this, rather than their usual 24. You have to ask for everything you want before you sign so definitely agree the WFH and flexibility. If there’s no flex it sounds as though it won’t work for you anyway?

I think you can negotiate, but that is a bunch of things you're going to them with!

Thanks all. I didn’t realise it was longer core hours until the contract came through it I would have spoke to them about this beforehand. With the flex working and working from home I did say in the interview I needed it and they were fine with that but the contract is silent on it so I just want to make sure that it’s ok. I just need the flex some days. Some days I won’t need the flex but others I will do that’s all. It’s all abit of a minefield !

Get what you want in writing. After you sign you have no leverage.

No harm asking but be prepared for them to say no. Be clear (to yourself) on what you want - fewer hours which will mean less pay, earlier start and finish, shorter lunch break... Do you want it every day, particular days or on occasion. Does the contract actually state which hours your are working or just how many.

I would also think about what is most important to you and what you could offer in return - eg could you be flexible if something urgent was going on.