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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Fantastic new job opportunity but very uncomfortable with pay WWYD?

158 replies

Exemochick · 02/07/2021 06:58

This week I have interviewed for a fantastic new role that I am really excited about. It is a job that is relevant to my field but in a different area that requires my specific expertise so really a bit of a career change. I have met the team, everything seems great apart from the salary. I am expecting to take a bit of a paycut as I am new to this area but I will be paid 14k less per year than I was getting in my old role, the same amount I was making as a new graduate years ago. I have tried to negotiate the salary but with little leniency as apparently it wouldn't be fair to others who previously have started on the same amount. I am absolutely torn about what to do because on one hand I don't want to let this opportunity go but I'm very concerned about getting into debt and not being able to afford the lifestyle I am accustomed to every month. What would you do?

OP posts:

HorriderHenry · 02/07/2021 06:59

It depends on how much you hate your current job, and the opportunities for progression in your new job. I’m assuming it’s not £14k off a £100k salary as well?

AquaticLicence · 02/07/2021 07:01

If it requires your specific expertise then they should be paying your for it.

You've not elaborated in your OP but there'd need to be some pretty compelling reasons for a 14k paycut. What's fantastic about this job compared to your current one?

OnlyFoolsnMothers · 02/07/2021 07:01

Do you have a job currently? Honestly if i has the luxury to turn it down I would but that’s because 14k is too much of a drop for me. Unless is the lower wage temporary, is there room for quick progression?

Backhills · 02/07/2021 07:02

It depends if this is the start of a new career with the potential for rapid progression. Sometimes a step backwards is an investment in the future.

On balance though, I wouldn't be taking a job that would force me into debt, unless there was a very short term plan to change that.

Stopsnowing · 02/07/2021 07:02

It sounds to be like you would always be stuck at that level of pay there.
Depends how easily you could use if for a springboard to something else but I would be worried that any employer you tried to move to would use the lower level as a benchmark!

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 02/07/2021 07:03

Honestly? I wouldnt take it. If they want your experience they need to pay you for it. You have no idea what they actually paid the others or started them on. Its also irrelevant - if they need and want you now, negotiate the best pay for you.

Uniontea · 02/07/2021 07:04

Are you bringing more to the role than the others who started on x amount? Are you bringing specific skills/relevant experience that they didn’t have? If so, you are totally reasonable to expect that your pay should reflect that.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 02/07/2021 07:04

And yes, any future employer would question why you were willing to take so little and would benchmark you as worth the lower pay.

NoIDontWatchLoveIsland · 02/07/2021 07:05

Ps it's not an "opportunity" to work for less than you can earn elsewhere.

AquaticLicence · 02/07/2021 07:06

I have tried to negotiate the salary but with little leniency as apparently it wouldn't be fair to others who previously have started on the same amount

They're likely to have the same attitude towards progression as well, so it's unlikely the pay reduction is a short term thing you can work your way up from.

AgentProvocateur · 02/07/2021 07:06

I wouldn’t take it. The resentment will eat you up, and 14k is a lot of ground to make up. Don’t undersell yourself.

NHSisFailingMe · 02/07/2021 07:07

No way!

To be paid £14k less for same hours in a similar role I'd consider there a volunteer element?

Occasion consider a career change to something less demanding but no way would I take a pay cut for the same role

Original poster

Exemochick · 02/07/2021 07:08

I am currently only working as a contractor and work has been quite scarce, I have not currently got a permanent job as we have recently moved to a new area. So I do need the money at the moment. I just don't want to leave after a short period of time because I'm not entirely happy with the salary.

OP posts:

Atalune · 02/07/2021 07:08

£14k is too much. Walk away.

PhilCornwall1 · 02/07/2021 07:09

Depends what your salary is now. No way I'd go from one job to another one that pays £14k less. How long would it take to recoup that £14k to put you to exactly where you are now, if you move to them? Years I'd reckon.

It also puts you at a disadvantage negotiating with another employer, should you get there and want to get out.

Original poster

Exemochick · 02/07/2021 07:10

I have been told there is scope for increased pay after a 6 month probationary period but that seems a long time to wait and no guarantees.

OP posts:

UseOfWeapons · 02/07/2021 07:10

I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole.
I couldn’t do with that much of a pay cut. I was headhunted a few years back, for a job I would have loved. When the issue of money came up, they wanted me to take part time and, effectively, a 12K pay cut. I said thanks, but no thanks. I would have taken a 2k pay cut if the the role was full time, and would have been happy to sign a training bond, but they wanted my clinical experience and qualifications…they just weren’t prepared to pay for it.

drpet49 · 02/07/2021 07:10

You can’t really compare contracting wage to a permanent, salaried role

dreamingofaholidaysoon · 02/07/2021 07:10

If you're moving from contracting that's a different beast altogether. The perks of permanent working such as sick pay, pension contributions, any health benefits etc May even out the balance. Plus the security of having a permanent job.

14k drop from permanent to permanent I'd say no but from contractor to permanent it's worth thinking about.

Dustyhedge · 02/07/2021 07:11

Your update changes it for me. I’d take it under those circumstances.

colincarrot · 02/07/2021 07:11

I was going to say not to take it..but after your last update I probably would

Original poster

Exemochick · 02/07/2021 07:12

Part of the reason the paycut is so drastic was because I was in a high cost area prior to this but still 14k seems drastic.

OP posts:

SometimesMaybe · 02/07/2021 07:13

Ah ok so if you are contracting then you aren’t getting other benefits - pension sick pay, mat leave, annual leave? A contractor always gets paid more. Can you work out the salary difference between your total package with the new job and your current rate that might be a better way of looking at it. Also if your contract was to expire and you have no work for a couple of months they you might be back on a more even footing. Also a permanent job might be better in terms of getting a mortgage etc.

PhilCornwall1 · 02/07/2021 07:13

@drpet49

You can’t really compare contracting wage to a permanent, salaried role

Exactly. If the opening post had said "I'm currently a contractor", the answers would have been very different. £14k cut is bugger all going from contractor to perm.

If I was contracting doing my current role, I'd have to take way more than a £14k pay cut to do the role as a perm.

Original poster

Exemochick · 02/07/2021 07:14

So basically in the higher cost area I was on the increased salary in a permanent role, since the move I have been contracting if that makes sense?

OP posts:

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