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.

Sorry forgot to add it was public sector to public sector position.

Surely the pension contributions are optional? It's good to put in especially if they match it but if you have temporary additional outgoings like childcare which will decrease in a few years you could stop or decrease them

Presume public sector pension is v good? So unless you can't afford to take the job on salary, I'd be v careful.

The NHS employer contribution is 14%

Public sector pensions ain't what they used to be so do look into it.

You should have said you would get back to them, not just accepted in the car.

Yes, ask for more. But on the basis you are worth it (with reasons), not that you need the money. They are more likely to give it now, to get you, than to give it later once they have you in post.

I would definitely ask, it sounds like you have annual increments, but we did away with them in my public sector organisation on the promise of something better only to be caught up straight away in the public sector pay freeze, so get as much as you can when you start. I could earn much more in the private sector, but flexible working, doing an interesting job without working stupid hours, no commuting, feeling like I'm doing something worthwhile and the decent pension keeps me happy where I am.

I asked the question. She asked how much per month id be worse off by (£200) and said she will contact HR. They offer the salary banding up from your current salary (which was asked for on the application).

I should add I am fully qualified in the profession so have no further exams to take. My salary is on the low side due to my previous employer not rewarding my qualification and I took a move for not much more money to get out of that industry.

Just ask. You can make clear that you're very keen on the job still but having reviewed the finances and what is expected of
You in terms of pension contributions you'll actually be worse off which would have to give you pause for thought.

As someone said upthread a man wouldn't hesitate to raise this.

I don't work in recruitment but in a related area - sort of - and it is completely common for there to be a bit of back and forth on terms.

I received a call to say they will put me up one more point on the pay scale so I am happy I had the conversation. Thanks for everyone's responses!

Congratulations!

Well done!

Nice one OP!

Hi
I've had a similar experience. The joining process took almost 9months in one of my past roles. In this time I'd had a pay rise in my current job. I phoned, explained the situation, laid out the numbers and asked for an extra 1500, in the end I got 1200, if anything I think that this was respected by my new bosses.

Congratulations! Cross post before reading the end! Enjoy the new job.