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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the real salary should have been advertised?

346 replies

littlepieces · 08/01/2022 01:27

I've just been through over four months of interviews, reference checks etc. for a public sector job. Yesterday HR called me to confirm details and casually dropped the bombshell that they're offering me a lower salary than was advertised. I was meant to qualify for a London salary uplift, as it's a London based role, but because the department is working remotely due to Covid that isn't happening now.

BUT, the department has been working remotely since the start of the pandemic, March 2020.

So why didn't they just advertise the remote salary? I would never have applied and wasted my time if they had. Without the uplift I'll be taking a pay cut. AIBU or would I be right to challenge this?

OP posts:
Words · 10/01/2022 15:03

I think this is a royal cock up on behalf of HR, rather than them trying to be sneaky. It could even be they did not proof read the ad properly before launching the campaign, and used a London template and salary rather than a national ( outside London) one.

Contact the chair of the panel for clarification, then make a decision.

It is very unusual these days not to start at the bottom of the scale. Anything else would require a business case.

Tzimi · 10/01/2022 16:23

@Words

I think this is a royal cock up on behalf of HR, rather than them trying to be sneaky. It could even be they did not proof read the ad properly before launching the campaign, and used a London template and salary rather than a national ( outside London) one.

Contact the chair of the panel for clarification, then make a decision.

It is very unusual these days not to start at the bottom of the scale. Anything else would require a business case.

But that's their fault though, isn't it? If they stated the wrong salary in the ad, they have to honour that!
TrophyWinner · 10/01/2022 16:27

Even if OP was successful in persuading them to pay the originally advertised salary, it's not a good thing to be in a public sector role where you're too expensive against the spine point for the role.

Tzimi · 10/01/2022 16:47

@TrophyWinner

Even if OP was successful in persuading them to pay the originally advertised salary, it's not a good thing to be in a public sector role where you're too expensive against the spine point for the role.
It's not OP's fault though, is it? I'd just decline the role. Then they have to start their outrageously long recruitment procedure all over again.
TrophyWinner · 10/01/2022 16:57

Of course she can (should?) decline. They won't have to start again though, they'll have a reserve list. They won't be expecting everyone to accept.

Poodles23 · 10/01/2022 18:07

Regardless of where or what the job entails they should have been clear about the salary from the beginning. I’d refuse the job unless they paid the sum you were led to believe you’d be getting.

sue20 · 10/01/2022 23:31

Even so they’ve entered a falsehood here regardless of them having a perception that they can just call the shots. Anyway does this mean everyone applying will also be doing so on the basis of advertised salary? I’m wondering if they’ve even entered an illegal territory. Is a salary advertised a starting point of entering a contractual obligation? They’ve taken up a load of your time on false pretences. Public sector especially has expectation and obligations to be correct. I work in PS and this sort of irregularity would be a union issue. Even if you decide not to go for the job you would have the right to complain to the relevant union.

sue20 · 10/01/2022 23:35

But that’s dishonest. Public Sector can’t get away with malpractice in the same way as private businesses do. They are publicly accountable

sue20 · 10/01/2022 23:42

@Mollymoostoo

Speak to ACAS and see what they say.
Absolutely this!!!
sue20 · 10/01/2022 23:48

@littlepieces

I told them the salary news was a surprise, I think it came across that I wasn't impressed. I strongly suspect they'll say no if I ask, but of yes I will ask. It's actually a mass hiring campaign and seems more like an exercise in getting bodies into vacancies than carefully hiring. I know they received tons of applications and have a reserve list, so I reckon they'll just pluck someone else out of the hat if I kick up a fuss. It's a very underfunded department and asking them to pay me an extra £8k than what they're offering me now seems unlikely.
Well yes they may well have a lot of people applying who all think the salary is higher!! How these people react to same news you received 4 months on Is another load of work they’ve given themselves! What a mess and on all of our money as a public company!!
Mymindblown · 11/01/2022 12:42

@littlepieces have you decided what to do?

Original poster
littlepieces · 12/01/2022 10:41

Someone was supposed to be calling to discuss this week, but I haven't heard anything yet. If I haven't heard anything by end of today I'll call them in the morning. Will report back the outcome. Really appreciate everyone's thoughts and advice on this.

My current employer wants me to start leading on a huge but highly flawed project in the next couple of weeks... really want to be able to just hand my notice in!

OP posts:
Xenia · 12/01/2022 15:06

Do let us know. I remember advising one of my daughters about jobs and it was sometimes hard to know if it was a good one as no one would tell you the only thin that mostly mattered - the salary.

Whatayear81 · 12/01/2022 18:38

* My current employer wants me to start leading on a huge but highly flawed project in the next couple of weeks... really want to be able to just hand my notice in!*

Could be career sacrifice

Even if not satisfactory out some of discussions, I would be inclined to mov so because l this on your CV… won’t look good

Original poster
littlepieces · 29/01/2022 22:07

Update: I still don't know...! Still awaiting my start date to be confirmed and contract. 😬

OP posts:
RandomMess · 29/01/2022 22:13

Utter madness!

Typical huge wheel moving at glacial speed.

Original poster
littlepieces · 11/02/2022 10:48

Finally! Found out I'll be getting the full, advertised amount and I start in two weeks. Can't believe it's taken almost two months to figure out how much I'll be getting paid. Bit nervous about the job now and whether it's going to be a red tape nightmare.

OP posts:
Words · 11/02/2022 13:42

Congratulations Little !

Tzimi · 11/02/2022 20:04

@littlepieces

Finally! Found out I'll be getting the full, advertised amount and I start in two weeks. Can't believe it's taken almost two months to figure out how much I'll be getting paid. Bit nervous about the job now and whether it's going to be a red tape nightmare.
That's the problem, these people do love their bureaucracy!
zizza · 12/02/2022 17:18

Congratulations - fantastic news. Good luck with it 🙂

Original poster
littlepieces · 13/02/2022 09:57

Thank you everyone

OP posts:
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