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Original poster

Pay scale question

24 replies

Newpuppymummy · 27/04/2023 11:45

I applied for a job where the pay scale was 38,000 to 41,000. I have 20 years of experience in this area. I’ve just got the contract through and the pay offer is 38,000.

could anyone give advice about how to move forward with this. I would be okay to accept this offer if the pay was reviewed in six months.

would it be normal to ask when the pay would be reviewed and point out that I am being paid the lower end of the salary scale that was offered?

OP posts:

MagentaRocks · 27/04/2023 11:50

It's normal surely. You increase each year until you reach the top of the pay scale

Original poster

Newpuppymummy · 27/04/2023 11:54

Is it? I’ve not applied to a salary scale job like this before?

OP posts:

MagentaRocks · 27/04/2023 12:04

Yes it is how it usually works, certainly in every job I've ever known. Usually takes a few years to go from bottom to the top of the scale.

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CatOnTheChair · 27/04/2023 12:08

Who is it with?
I'd argue now to get off the bottom of the pay scale.
DH and I both moved from private to public a few years ago, and accepted the bottom of the pay scale expecting progression. Still both firmly stuck at the bottom.

mindutopia · 27/04/2023 12:10

It very much depends on the industry you are in. I'm in academia and it's definitely not normal to just come in at the bottom of the pay scale. That might be the initial offer, but you can always negotiate and I would, especially if you are over qualified given your experience. My current role, I negotiated moving up an entire grade in order to accept. I was over qualified but applied for the position anyway and when offered, I said I wanted the grade to match my current grade and experience. HR re-graded the role and I am paid at the top of the pay scale. It means there isn't much room for promotion (as funding is finite) other than annual cost of living increases, but I make significantly more than I would have at the bottom of the scale.

SquishyGloopyBum · 27/04/2023 12:11

It does depend which industry but I'd negotiate to not be at the bottom of the scale.

Mayhemmumma · 27/04/2023 12:14

I accepted my current job on basis my salary was top of the scale to be in line with my previous wage.

Before you start is a good time to request this.

LadyDanburysHat · 27/04/2023 12:21

Is it an actual pay scale, as in a graded job, where you would be grade 6 for example and pay is 38-41, then Grade 7 is 41-45? Or is it just a salary range they advertised. If it the former you may have less leeway arguing for more now. If it is the latter then ask for the top.

AlltheFs · 27/04/2023 12:24

In my sector (not quite public sector) we are all on scales and almost always we appoint to the bottom and you get an annual increment until you reach the top.

We can appoint further up the scale with strong justification but it’s quite rare. I managed to negotiate it though when I moved employer on the same scale.

OneAndDon3 · 27/04/2023 12:27

Now at the point of offer is a good time to address this. If you're concerned about doing it you can phrase it in a non confrontational way.

"I'm very pleased to have been offered the role. Can I ask if there's any movement on the salary offer possible, as my expectations were closer to £40K for this role at this time"

Mizydoscape · 27/04/2023 12:27

Very much depends on the sector. Not enough information provided OP

SaveMeFromMyBoobs · 27/04/2023 12:33

Depends on many factors. What are you on now? If you're currently on 40K then you could definitely go back and say that while you'd love to work for them, you can't accept a position paying less than your current but you'd be more than happy to accept the position should they match your current salary of X.

If you currently earn 38K then yes, go back and query the salary and explain that as the range was 38-41, due to your experience in x,y,z you were expecting an offer closer to the top of the range.

curlywhirled · 27/04/2023 12:36

Just ask if the can do anything about the salary. I asked this when I started current job and they agreed to top of scale based on experience. They'll always go in at the bottom!

7Worfs · 27/04/2023 12:44

If you feel uneasy about negotiating over the phone, just reply to the recruiter with

“Thank you very much, delighted to receive the offer. I’ll be happy to accept if we can amend the starting salary to 41,000 to reflect my 20 years experience in the field.”

Jellycatspyjamas · 27/04/2023 12:54

I took a local authority job and negotiated an entry at the top of the scale - I had a lot of experience and they wanted me so I got what I asked for.

Original poster

Newpuppymummy · 27/04/2023 13:12

It’s social care. It’s a grade

OP posts:

Paq · 27/04/2023 13:14

Yes it's normal to be offered the bottom but it's also normal to negotiate.

NashvilleQueen · 27/04/2023 13:19

Negotiate with them. They will start at the lowest but usually can be persuaded to raise. The worst that can happen is that they'll say no

ThreeRingCircus · 27/04/2023 13:23

We operate pay scales too and it's totally normal to offer the bottom of the pay scale for the grade of job but also very normal for candidates to negotiate and we don't look on them any worse for asking, it's pretty normal in the current climate. I would ask, politely. The worst they can say is no and even then should give you information on when the salary reviews are expected.

7Worfs · 27/04/2023 13:24

Newpuppymummy · 27/04/2023 13:12

It’s social care. It’s a grade

Isn’t that sector in dire need of employees? I think you’ve got the leverage, so negotiate.

Crabwoman · 27/04/2023 13:25

If it's local authority social care, then most people start on the bottom grade and work up.

There are exceptions, but that only happens if they are keen to recruit or if you bring certain skills to the table. It's rare but it does happen.

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 27/04/2023 13:25

Yep normal for new entrants in

Nothing worse than new people coming in on more money and then managers expecting existing staff, who are on less, to do all the training

Lcb123 · 27/04/2023 13:31

That’s normal to offer the bottom of the scale. I asked for almost the top of my scale, and they then agreed to just below the top. But this is at a university where the scales are public. Definitely negotiable based on your experience and current salary.

Original poster

Newpuppymummy · 27/04/2023 14:19

Thanks everyone

OP posts:

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