To expect to be paid close to my old salary?

[weirdbird]

Going back to work for my old boss/company after a break of 3yrs, the salary they are offering me is £8 less an hour, which is almost half my old salary less. I wasn't expecting to be on the same salary after 3yrs off, but this much less is making me question whether I want the job. I worked for them for 12yrs before. Thoughts?

Is it at market rate? If not then ask why they are paying so far below the industry standard for your job.

Would I take the job? I would say no on principle if they refuse to negotiate but I suppose it depends how much you need the money and how the job situation is in your sector.

The economy is rubbish and your skills are out of date? It's really harsh, but at the moment the job market is all in the employers' favour.

Would they get someone else to do the job for the same as they're offering you?
Or do they know you need the work and will take what they're offering? Is there room to negotiate? If you feel really ambivalent about taking it, then probably best to get in touch and tell them that you're "surprised and disappointed" in the ££ and see where it goes from there.

Are you going back to the same job? If so, I would say to them you were at least hoping for the same salary.

Unfortunately, a lot of companies have used the recession to pay a pittance. I see temp jobs being advertised for less than I was earning before I went to Uni in 1995!!! Director salaries don't seem to have suffered the same fate though...

Director salaries don't seem to have suffered the same fate though...

I have noticed that too, funny that isnt it?

Director salaries don't seem to have suffered the same fate though

Funny that!

Op why don't you find a new job?

It is not identical but it is using the same skills just in a slightly different area of the business. It is below market rate if they wanted to hire someone with my experience or similar qualifications.
Just questioning whether other people would react similarly, I felt quite insulted. Especially as they approached me to return.

OP I finished working in the City in 1996. My last P60 pre children said £132,000. In 2003 I went back part-time, public sector, started at the bottom (I don't have a degree or anything), literally photocopying and standard letters, for just under £8k. Since I have taken professional quals and have a middle management job in the public sector for about £50K.

In my opinion, you have to get back on the bus somehow and if school hours make it work and mean you're OK because there aren't childcare costs then do it. It is making you marketable again, reskilling you, getting you back. Think long term. I'm nearly mid 50's I know mums who have recently divorced - they haven't worked for more than 25 years. They are totally unemployable - they turned their noses up at what I did 10 years ago.

Could you negotiate an early review period, say 3 months in which to prove yourself, after which time they would commit to increasing your hourly rate?

I wonder if there are new skills and competencies that have emerged over the past three years that you need to master before they would say you are 'bang up to date' again. Why not find out if there are extra things you can learn and create a development plan with your new manager. It will impress them and motivate you to build up your skills.

It is a competitive world out there!

I do admire you, married, if only more people thought your way!

They are takimg the piss if they head hunted you! Do they not get how that works? If you are head hunted then you are generally offered more than market rate in order to tempt you to work for them!

Tell them to stuff it if they wont pony up!