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Original poster

Job offering less than they offered in interview- is this acceptable??

42 replies

Ubertasha2 · 17/12/2016 23:21

Hi guys,

Had an interview last week for a little part time job to go with my 'real' job. It is a receptionist/admin position and so was pleasantly surprised when £10.50 was offered at the interview stage (this is a basic entry level position and as anyone knows, this is quite a good rate for this type of job).

However, in the offer email the rate has now changed to a random £9.00 per hour which I obviously am not delighted about but uselessly I have said nothing and have cheerfully emailed documents to the company, refererences, health check questionnaires etc etc.

I don't know what to do- I am not a confrontational person and feel I've been a bit daft to not say anything but obviously I don't want to do the same job for less than what was offered during my interview.

What would any of you lot do? Ask about it, and if so, how? Not take the job as the original rate clearly is no longer offer?

Not sure if this is relevant (I kinda think it is when it comes down to the songs) but I would be travelling nearly 2 hours' per day (3 days per week), and petrol and parking or public transport equates to over £25 per week.

Thanks in advance for any sensible suggestions!

OP posts:
OwlinaTree · 17/12/2016 23:23

I'd email back and say oh there's an error you said £10.50 not £9, can you correct it please before I sign a contract? Thanks.

Original poster
Ubertasha2 · 17/12/2016 23:23
  • the MONEY, not the songs ffffffs!!
OP posts:
Unicorn1981 · 17/12/2016 23:25

I would just say I noticed in the paperwork it says a lower rate of pay to what we discussed in the interview. Is this right as I need to calculate what I can afford re childcare etc. Or something along those lines. Could they have sent you old paperwork? Maybe from when the previous person took the job on. You don't get anything by not asking.

user1471517900 · 17/12/2016 23:26

Yep, simply point out the mistake in the contract to them and ask them to fix it before you sign

Original poster
Ubertasha2 · 17/12/2016 23:26

Sensible, rational replies- thanks both of you!

OP posts:
justdontevenfuckingstart · 17/12/2016 23:26

Was it dependent on experience or an offered rate?

Original poster
Ubertasha2 · 17/12/2016 23:28

An offered rate- v odd!

OP posts:
edwinbear · 17/12/2016 23:28

I would email saying 'please could you clarify the rate as x mentioned at interview it was £10.50 however the paperwork specifies £9'.

user1471517900 · 17/12/2016 23:29

And also go NC with your MIL. Just because....

EngTech · 17/12/2016 23:30

As the comments above said.

Be polite and query why the discrepancy between the offer and what was said in the offer.

You can always decline to accept the offer which will cause them hassle etc going through the process of interviews etc.

Hellmouth · 17/12/2016 23:31

I wouldn't say anything about clarification or mention childcare. Just say outright that you were offered 10.50 an hour. A man would.

user1471517900 · 17/12/2016 23:32

Agreed. No mention of childcare etc. Just simply, this says £9, but it should say £10.50

EekAmIBonkers · 17/12/2016 23:48

user what do you mean about NC with MIL?

Is it just something dull like assuming what MNers might say, or is there an interesting backstory here I haven't given you credit for?

Knackered46 · 17/12/2016 23:51

Like Hellmouth said ^

edwinbear · 17/12/2016 23:52

I think given OP is applying for a receptionist position a little bit of diplomacy in the way she queries would be expected. No need to go in all guns blazing when it may be a typo.

OlennasWimple · 17/12/2016 23:54

How many hours a week is the job? If it a supplementary job, but three days a week and you will spend six hours travelling and over two hours' wages on costs, I'm not sure how it will be really beneficial Confused

EekAmIBonkers · 17/12/2016 23:55

There's nothing "guns blazing" about confirming the hourly rate, edwin

Original poster
Ubertasha2 · 17/12/2016 23:57

Thanks for the replies- really helpful. Hellmouth, you are obviously a bit of a legend! 😀

OP posts:
underneaththeash · 18/12/2016 00:03

I'd be slightly more blunt. Just say You would like to accept, but there seems to be a discrepancy in the email; you were offered £10.50 an hour at interview, rather than the £9.00 mentioned and you're sure its an oversight, but it would need to be amended before you could accept the position.

edwinbear · 18/12/2016 00:04

It's the way you check though isn't it Eek. Hellmouth's steer seemed a bit aggressive to me given as a receptionist she is going to be front line, potentially dealing with misunderstandings as part of her role.

As such, if it were me I'd be presenting it as clearly a mistake as opppsed to a deliberate attempt to fiddle me. Now if they then revert saying 'actually we've decided it's £9' that's a different issue, but for now, she needs to politely acertain if it's an error or not. I agree I wouldn't be trying to justify my rate on the basis of childcare and the like.

expatinscotland · 18/12/2016 00:04

Hardly all guns blazing to point out they're trying to shaft her. I'm with Hellmouth, a man wouldn't doss round the point or mention childcare, FFS.

edwinbear · 18/12/2016 00:09

Why on earth is this a feminist issue? Where does the OP suggest she is scared to question it because she's a woman? How do you know they are trying to shaft her as opppsed to having made a mistake?

edwinbear · 18/12/2016 00:10

Sweeping generalisation to say all men would steam on in assuming they were trying to shaft them.

edwinbear · 18/12/2016 00:15

And frankly, how do you know OP isn't a man? Or have you just assumed that?

Boogers · 18/12/2016 00:16

Do not mention childcare, do not mention travel costs. You were offered the position ay £10.50 per hour.

Dear HR

Thank you for your kind offer for the position of ...... , however, when I was interviewed the rate was for a position at £10.50 per hour, whereas you are now offering the position at £9.00 per hour. Has there been a change in job description from the position that I was successful in applying and interviewing for?

Kindest

Ubertasha