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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:
Leshan · 02/07/2021 09:20

Don't do it.
Really don't.
Being underpaid at work creates bad feeling, talking from personal experience here.

pinkpapaya · 02/07/2021 09:24

@AquaticLicence

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.

Exactly this! I made this mistake with a job 15 years ago. Low starting salary within a different sector. Despite bringing tons of transferable skills and experience within the sector but from the private side, I could only negotiate my starting salary up by 2 points. They also took this 'not fair to other's' approach to promotion/progression which was essentially dead men's shoes. I would never do it again!
Regularsizedrudy · 02/07/2021 09:24

@drpet49

You can’t really compare contracting wage to a permanent, salaried role
This. Surely you know this op? The pay for contractors is so high because it has none of the security. The 2 things are not the same at all.
Aprilinspringtimeshower · 02/07/2021 09:24

@Exemochick

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.
Ok, as a contractor if you are self employed there are things you need to pay yourself such as pension, sick leave, NI contributions potentiionally. So you need to look at the whole package not just the base salary. It could be pay is lower but the comp and benefits and the security of permanent position mean the drop becomes more marginal. Look at the whole package. If it is still massively less, then negotiate on the package as a whole: flexible working, increased pension contributions etc.
Dishwashersaurous · 02/07/2021 09:28

OK. Well how much are you earning contracting is the relevant point.

To calculate a permanent salary from a contractor you need to take between 50% and 25% off he contractor rate.

Are you contracting in the area where the permanent job is?

And can you compare the London weighting comparison for other jobs in the area. Eg lawyers could well earn double or triple or more in London compared to rural Wales because the work isn't there to do in the rural area.

So much of his depends on where you have moved to. Eg central London to rural Wales, that 14k could easily be offset by reduced housing costs.

And what your long term plan is.

If you want to move back to London at sometime not a great idea.

But if you want to stay in the area and this is the only job that you are qualified for and want to do then you will have to take it.

Basis what is the alternative if you don't take the job?

AquaticLicence · 02/07/2021 09:29

I think the OP is comparing her most recent permanent post salary with a new permanent post salary. So it's not comparing a contractor salary with a permanent one but it is not accounting for the changed location and the fact that the op doesn't actually have a permanent, secure job which obviously changes things.

FudgeSundae · 02/07/2021 09:31

What others started on is irrelevant. A man wouldn’t put up with this shit. Tell them you’re not moving for a pay cut.

SofiaMichelle · 02/07/2021 09:31

No chance. Not. A. Chance. As a permanent job.

If it was £14k from a 6-figure salary with the opportunity to make it up in bonuses or at least expect pay rises to put you back there in 3 years maybe...

But putting you back to a graduate salary is not where you want to be going. How will you move on from that? You're effectively being knocked back years.

By all means if you just need a job for a while then go for it, though.

IWentAwayIStayedAway · 02/07/2021 09:33

You walk away. Not for you. Not your concern what others started on

Peace43 · 02/07/2021 09:33

Jam tomorrow is no good to anyone. Forget the end of probation payrise it will likely never happen. If the salary doesn't work for you then keep applying for other jobs where it will. Or take this one and keep looking and leave once you find something that pays better. Either way be clear that salary is the reason this job doesn't suit you.

IHTC · 02/07/2021 09:39

I wouldn't take it. 14k is a huge drop and like a previous poster has said, if they want your expertise then they should put their hand in their pockets.

You only go to work to earn money and fund the lifestyle you want so this would seem a bit of a step back.

Blossomtoes · 02/07/2021 09:41

This thread’s fascinating because most pp completely fail to understand the pay disparity between contractor and perm pay. The two aren’t comparable.

The post pandemic economy is going to be very different. Unemployment will be higher than it’s been for decades and the employment market will favour employers. I remember being unemployed in the early 90s when jobs were very few and far between, you took what you could get and I strongly suspect we’re returning to that.

Frazzled2207 · 02/07/2021 09:41

no way should you possibly 'get into debt' to take on a new role.

I could possibly consider taking a big pay cut to do something really appealing however very luckily my husband has a good salary and so although it would affect our savings, it wouldn't get me 'into debt'.

YeokensYegg · 02/07/2021 09:47

If the job you interviewed for a contract or a permanent role?

AgentJohnson · 02/07/2021 09:47

You’re comparing apples and pairs. Is the new salary comparable with similar salaries in the same field in the same area. Take the job if you need the money and whilst you’re earning you can look for a better paid role.

NCwhatsmynameagain · 02/07/2021 09:49

If they are planning on paying you entry level salary for this job then they are taking the piss.

UmamiMammy · 02/07/2021 09:51

@drpet49

You can’t really compare contracting wage to a permanent, salaried role
100% this!!

You would be mad to give up a permanent salary and take a 14K cut but you are currently contracting so it's not the same!

Take your dream job, cut back on luxuries and review in 6 months. You can always go back to contracting.

godmum56 · 02/07/2021 09:51

depends on what is cut backable in your current lifestyle and how much you want a permanency.....but...well 14k is not peanuts

Dixiechickonhols · 02/07/2021 09:52

Your update changes it. You aren’t earning 14k more at present as you say work is scare. I’d take job gain as much experience as can and keep looking for new roles. If you get one in 6 months time at a higher salary then it’s no problem to move on.

shakeitoffshakeacocktail · 02/07/2021 09:52

If you've moved from near London to outside London AND change from contractor to permanent AND it's £14k off a large salary I WOULD take it

What are your other options? Are there any similar roles at the salary you want in your area?

You might find your area doesn't reach those salaries for similar jobs only contractor work which is less constant

Zilla1 · 02/07/2021 09:53

@Blossomtoes, true though the contractor market is sector- and role-specific. In many, there is a premium for contractors somewhat mitigated by the hidden costs of sick pay, pension, risks of downtime and such like. In some, there is no contractor premium and the costs of disguised employment fall on the worker.

I agree mostly about COVID and have been surprised by house prices given the likely medium term employment effects though the impacts of Brexit on labour markets are already being felt. The combined impact on professional roles of Brexit and post-COVID remote working and adverse economic effects look complex.

Hoppinggreen · 02/07/2021 09:54

My DH is a Contractor and even the highest paying perm jobs in his area would be a £20k drop minimum. It’s just not comparable
Plus, if you currently have no work you should probably take it

SpiderinaWingMirror · 02/07/2021 09:55

You also mention moving location. This can have a large impact as well.
I relocated and my current salary is a good 10k below anything I earned before.

vivainsomnia · 02/07/2021 09:56

You can’t really compare contracting wage to a permanent, salaried role
This again and again. Contracting jobs are always paid more. If you expect a permanent job with NI contribution, sickness, holiday and pension, you could be waiting a long time.

Dishwashersaurous · 02/07/2021 09:57

what is your alternative?

You don't have a job at the moment.

Are there other jobs in the area that you could do which pay more?