AIBU....salary offer WWYD?

[2babas2cats]

I was offered a job yesterday with a huge public sector organisation. The benefits are great but they've only offered me just over a 2.5% wage increase. I accepted but once I started looking into everything last night, I have to pay an extra 7.5% into the pension....should I call and ask if there's scope for moving me up the pay scale to compensate this or should I take the hit??

To put in context I also have 2 kids full time in nursery so have that huge outgoing and looking at finances we would be worse off for a couple of years! I really want to accept the job though as it's a great opportunity.

Yes, ask them.

A man would!

Ask! You can only ask.

I have asked for a different starting point before and got it. Twice. The worst they can say is no. Go for it.

So I've actually done this and it didn't go over well. However I think this was down to teh organization as opposed to my email.

I wrote that I had re-considered the offer and that after doing further research I was able to conclude that X amount was an appropriate figure because X (I was better qualified, more experience etc).

In the end I turned down the job and another, better opportunity came up.

Yes ask them .

And regarding childcare costs , make sure that the children's other parent pays half. Childcare is a household expense ( like the mortage or utility bills ) not a personal one ( like hobbies ) .

Oops X posted

Good luck with the new opportunity

You can ask but you'd have a better chance of convincing them if you can demonstrate you have job-specific experience over and above the criteria requested in the JD/PS and so will be adding value to their business from day one, rather than just because your costs will be higher.

IME (did a lot of recruitment in public sector in a previous life) there is very little scope for higher starting salaries especially on the lower to middle grades, so ask but don't be disappointed if the answer is no. In the current climate of slashed budgets and "efficiency savings", departments will be looking to squeeze every penny of saving out of recruitment that they can, and being able to replace someone who was on a higher pay point, maybe even top of the scale, with a new starter coming in on the bottom of the pay scale is a recognised way of clawing back some in-year savings.

It's worth an ask. It's more likely to be accommodated if you are a highly paid person and on a negotiated salary rather than on a grade.

They might be constrained to within a grade and will probably try and put people on the bottom. The grades are public knowledge, have a look and see what the top of your band is and how their offer relates.

I work for a very large public body, have done for 12 years and agree with Page. You can ask about starting at a different pay point, but there is unlikely to be any wriggle room. The chances are that the interview was designed to recruit for that grade, and a higher grade would require a different kind of interview.

What are the other benefits though? For me, flexible working, flexi time, accumulated leave is worth its weight in gold. If I need to finish a couple of hours early for harvest festival/nativity/sports day - not a problem.

Child care vouchers? maternity package, employer pension contribution, leave allowance, training, car? All better than my former colleagues in the private sector.

Look at the long game

Thanks for everyone's replies.

I would be asking to move one if not two points up the scale and would still have 5 increments ahead before I got to the top.

DH has childcare vouchers included in his salary too at the full amount and both our salaries go into our joint account and we pay for everything together so it's not pressures of that side literally just the increased pension contributions.

Yes ask but not by email. Call whoever you are dealing with.
Whereabouts in the advertised range have they suggested? If it's near the bottom you should have a chance. If is already at the top then you have very little chance as they'd have to regrade the job.

Oh yes I would definitely call not email.

I've been offered point 3 of 9

If it's NHS, they will say 'No'. Pay bands are fixed and you have to jump through hoops annually to show 'on the job' experience to go up a pop.

X-post! I see not NHS then, ignore me!

Am I right in understanding that you have already accepted the offer, though?

I would have definitely asked prior to accepting, but I'd be a bit as an employer if you've actually accepted and then come back asking for a better package. Good luck!

Well pensions are important..... So I would ask or just suck it up if you can.

Or you could opt out of the scheme until childcare costs are more affordable n

I have verbally accepted the job. They called yesterday evening on my way home in the car so it wasn't like I had a lot of time to process it all

OK, I understand.

So long as you don't come across as mucking about or not having bothered to read the contract, I don't think it looks bad to ask at all. I'd be clear in myself beforehand as to whether it was a deal breaker or not, though.

Best of luck.

In my public sector organisation a verbal acceptance is the starting point for negotiations. I think you should ask!

If it is the NHS (and it could be on those pay points), then you have the ability to opt out of your pension, and in my trust this is only for 12 months at a time (not sure if this is universal or not). You also, as long as you hit your targets, get a small pay increase yearly. So I would probably take the job, defer my pension for 48 months, by which time hopefully costs will decrease and pay increase slightly. But you have reasonable job stability, better holidays and (depending on your job) possible family friendly hours, flexi-time, and in general a reasonable employer. Also good maternity benefits if that should be needed in the future.

I work in a similar sector, not in the uk though. I think ask, make your case based on your experience , I've had this conversation with several employees, sometimes when reviewed they were moved up one or two points. Worst is they say, no.

Last post of mine based on it being a nhs job.

I interviewed for a job with the exact same pay bracket as my current job and the job was at the same 'level' professionally it was just a change in location I was after.

I was already at the top of the scale but asked if this could be matched as I wouldn't be able to take the job as I would be significantly worse off financially if not, I had 9 years experience doing the job and based on this they agreed so I was appointed at the top of the grade.

I would always ask, as you have said over the phone, and be honest explain your skills and circumstances.

P.s. congratulations on the job offer!

I think the sticking point may be that the pension itself is a bloody good benefit, assuming it's a defined benefit scheme - although if it's leaving you with less than you need to live on, it is a moot point, particulalry if you don't envision staying with the organisation in the long term.

But do ask - they can only say no.

Well, you do have the option to opt out of the pension scheme, so I wouldn't make it all about that. I'm guessing your employer will also make a generous pension contribution, so a decent pension scheme is a plus in the eyes of most.

That said, I had a new member of staff who accepted the job, and then came back to ask if she could be moved a point up on the scale. I really wanted her on my team and so she got what she wanted. Worth a try!