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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Job offer - AIBU to be unhappy with this salary?

120 replies

Robin42 · 27/02/2020 16:00

I have never negotiated a salary before so I am completely unsure how far to push this and the etiquette!

I applied for a job within the NHS where the salary was advertised as "22,143 - 24,949".

I have been offered the job and they offered me the lowest salary. I was surprised because even though I have not worked this specific role, this role is as a band 4, and I have previously worked as a band 6.

I replied saying that I would love to accept the offer however I believe that I had the relevant skills and experience that would justify an increase in salary. Because I don't see any reason why I shouldn't get the higher amount and they obviously have it available?

They replied back today simply saying we have attached your revised offer, please let us know if you want to accept it, and they have only increased it to £22,909.

Like I said, I have never negotiated before so perhaps I was too soft in my original email, but that isn't much of an increase at all! They also haven't given any reason or justification as to why they aren't increasing it towards the higher end of the scale.

I really want the job so if they say that is their last offer I would still accept it anyway - but I just feel like if they advertised that amount, I don't see any reason why I shouldn't get it as I believe I am more than experienced and competent for the role.

What do I do?!! I'm worried about looking really cheeky, but also the worst they can do is say no?? What should I respond back with?! Do I try and push for more?

OP posts:
Peanutbutteryogurt · 27/02/2020 17:06

In the NHS it is banding. My understanding is you start at the lowest and it goes up with time. at least that's what I was told.

OnlyTheTitOfTheLangBerg · 27/02/2020 17:08

As others have said, it's very rare to get more than the band minimum on starting in the NHS and Civil Service. Some departments may have the scope to offer slightly more - as yours has - but they will have had to submit a business case to do so and there will almost certainly be no further flexibility.

SillySpaniel · 27/02/2020 17:12

Have a look at the new agenda for change pay rates. It should go off how many years NHS service you've provided too. If you've had more than 6 years then I would counter offer the top of a band 4 or I wouldn't take the job. If they want you enough they will give you what you ask for. They will always try and offer the least possible. With previous experience as a band 6 they're getting a good deal from you by paying you a band 4. Don't understand sell yourself! Get them to pay you what you're worth!

Arriettyborrower · 27/02/2020 17:16

Agree with sillyspaniel counter with your length of service and other transferable skills.
Do negotiate, I’ve recently appointed a band 5 and top of the scale as she could demonstrate her years in service and applicable skills.

You’ll never know unless you try....

Lazypuppy · 27/02/2020 17:17

I know in civil service jobs are advertised as salary bands but all new entrants get base level regardless. Top level is to calculate internal promotion salary asit is a percentage

ChicCroissant · 27/02/2020 17:22

As the PP have stated, it is normal to start at the bottom of the range and work up. Did you have an expected salary mentioned at all in your application because you can point them to that if you did have one in there.

How many increments are there on the scale in total, do you know?

Intelinside57 · 27/02/2020 17:27

I think you did very well to get them to the increase they have offered. Nothing to stop you negotiating for more, but, with long years of public sector behind me, I think you'd be lucky. It's a job that's been evaluated as band 4 so they'll be looking for someone who is appointed on that scale with some headroom for annual progression.

BelieveInPeople · 27/02/2020 17:35

As a few people have said you’re in a stronger position if you are currently in your band 6 nhs role. You need to be specific about what you want and make a case - if you want top of band then say so. These things can be negotiated but it comes down to how much they want you and how much you want the job.

Allmyfavouritepeople · 27/02/2020 17:48

Slightly different but still public sector I went as a qualified teacher to a higher level assistant role and they offered me the minimum rate. Went straight back to them asking for the middle band and got it. Could have asked for the top band but like the idea of progression.
It can be done but be specific with your request

Bakedbrie · 27/02/2020 17:51

Unlike a lot of pp’s , I know nothing about public sector pay bands. But as an outsider, this looks a bit shabby. Offering a more highly paid experienced hire the bottom of a pay range?!!! Fgs!! Please go back and pitch a persuasive case for more OP. I hate stuff like this, doesn’t really have an ethos of motivating and developing talent does it?

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 27/02/2020 17:54

@hula008 oh really? Interesting! I'm at the top in my band anyway I believe, but will look into it, thanks!

PianoTuner567 · 27/02/2020 17:58

With previous experience as a band 6 they're getting a good deal from you by paying you a band 4

Yeah but the role’s a band 4, advertised as such and the OP applied for it. It’s not their issue if she’s used to being paid a band 6 salary.

Bakedbrie · 27/02/2020 17:59

Actually, I tell you why this gets my back up. Because it illustrates a system of pay and reward which knows its workforce is largely female. It sounds like the underlying ethos is “what’s the minimum we can get away with paying her” as opposed to a more male culture of “how can we match and improve upon his current salary”. I do feel that sucks!

Leithwalk · 27/02/2020 18:00

I know nothing about public sector pay bands. But as an outsider, this looks a bit shabby. Offering a more highly paid experienced hire the bottom of a pay range?

Local authority too - it's because the pay band isn't about you, the pay band is the banding for the role - so the job that needs doing sits as a band 4 with pay rises that takes it up to the higher pay point.

I would be arguing that you applied for a 'band 4' job, graded to need only the skills and experience associated. The job therefore doesn't require and therefore doesn't pay you for your extra skills.
It would be band 4, or don't take the job in my sector. If you want a band 6 salary you need to apply for a band 6 job - so that the role fully uses the skills we are paying you for.

hokolo · 27/02/2020 18:02

When I negotiate my salary, I name the top of the possible salary and let them talk me down to the mid range where the range is the most I could realistically hope for and the bottom is the least I could feasibly take, ie:

least - 44k, most - 60k = accept 52k

If it's a role I really want I will go down to the least but I never start from the bottom and work up. You have to actually name figures though. It's very uncomfortable, but part of being a professional, I guess!

HavelockVetinari · 27/02/2020 18:02

I'm a G6 in the civil service, I've seen lots of people negotiate higher starting salaries - and it's obviously not fixed as they wouldn't have come back with a higher offer.

Women are FAR too reticent about asking for pay rises, men are something like 10 times more likely to negotiate and therefore start on more money, because apparently we women suffer imposter syndrome and feel fortunate to get the job in the first place. Men apparently feel that the company was lucky to get them, and therefore get higher starting salaries.

Come on women, push for change, be brave, shrug off a lifetime of being socialised to be "nice"!*

  • easier said than done, I know
daisypond · 27/02/2020 18:05

It’s irrelevant what grade you were on before. This is a band 4 job and you start at the bottom. You’ve done well to get an increase at all. A friend of mine pushed for more money in a job she was offered and they just rescinded the offer of employment.

Palegreenstars · 27/02/2020 18:09

There is opportunity to negotiate within the NHS as you’ve already proven. It could be worth making one final attempt as people have suggested above but in a way that you can back track if needed. Say what you’d expect, give reasons, see what they say. Once you are in there’s no negotiation going.

chocolatespiders · 27/02/2020 18:14

I think you should start higher if you have worked in NHS at a higher grade.
I worked as band 4 for 18 years and left to go to local authority. A year ago I went back to NHS and they started me at top of band when I requested it.
Intresting I also do a band 3 evening job and when I was offered that I asked to be started at top of band 3 having previous experience as a band 4 and they authorised that.
Good luck with it.

Disfordarkchocolate · 27/02/2020 18:33

NHS advertise with a band of pay. If you are already in the NHS and at a point in that band you will stay there but everyone else will be offered the bottom amount.

They aren't normally keen on negotiation but they should have budgeted for the mid-point of the range so in theory, you should be able to negotiate some increase.

I think it's a bit misleading myself. Make a counter offer and see what they say.

vdbfamily · 27/02/2020 18:38

They would normally ask for evidence of your current or last pay slip/salary. How long ago were you are a 6. Are you going from OT to OTA or Nurse to HCA. If so, and your B6 experience was relatively recent and relevant, I would ask for top of B4.

outherealone · 27/02/2020 18:38

I work in public sector and I started my role at the top increment. It means there's nowhere else for me to go other than the standard company payrises but I need that salary and atm am very happy with it.

DarkDarkNight · 27/02/2020 18:42

If you are currently working as a band 6 then I think you could expect to move to the higher end of band 4. If you no longer work in the NHS you have lost your continuous service and the fact you once worked as a band 6 is irrelevant. The job advertised is a 4 and you normally go in at the bottom.

The only time I have seen people start on a higher pay than the starting salary is if they have changed jobs and moved up a band and gone on to the appropriate spine point rather than right back to the start of a band which may be less money.

TiddleTaddleTat · 27/02/2020 18:47

To a PP who said you can't negotiate in the public sector, that's not really true. You just need to hold your nerve and say what you should be paid and why. However as in any negotiation you have to know when to walk away.
It always spurs me on to look at the stats between men's and women's pay and how far fewer women negotiate their salaries than men

RubyTuesdayBlues1 · 27/02/2020 18:50

Keep going until they come back and say it's their final offer, they're not going to withdraw the offer just because you're negotiating.

I'd go back and say thank you for your revised offer of £22,909, can I ask how you came to this amount as it's still at the lower end of the advertised range? I can understand that this could be appropriate for some-one moving to Band 4 for the first time but given my experience in xxx and yyy I would expect a starting salary closer to the top of the range.