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Original poster

Offer lower salary than advertised

51 replies

Skippii · 23/05/2019 20:21

So, I’ve been head hunted for a post with a new global employer, but now they’re not keen on offering the advertised salary. It is a significant increase on my current salary, largely because I’ve worked with my current employer for years, and my salary didn’t change when my job role did.

They are unhappy with the gap from current to new salary, while admiting the new salary is in band for the role, and market rates. They are unable to find anyone else with the skills, despite trying for ages.

Anyway, I’m tempted to tell them to forget it, however I’m worried I will face this with any new employer.

Should I take an interim 1-2 year role to bridge the gap? Maybe this role could be that interim? But I like the team/role/workplace,,,, so.....

Conflicted. Recruiter getting back to me tomorrow with some kind of offer hopefully so will see. Any thoughts?

OP posts:

Theworldisfullofgs · 23/05/2019 20:24

Personally it should be at the salary advertised. It will cost them more to readvertise etc.

If you were prepared to compromise, I would consider a slightly lower salary during probation period and full salary at successful completion.

I presume you are a woman. What's their gender pay gap like?

IAmNotPatientOrPregnant · 23/05/2019 20:27

My job was advertised at 26k a month starting rate.

I got offered under 18k, for a professional role.. Was absolutely fuming, I took it anyway as it was a great opportunity for progression and further qualifications. I'm now working towards several different qualifications in my sector and my pay has increased a bit, but not enough. I've decided to smile, wave, gain my additional quals' then I'm off to find a decent salary with my qualifications that they've paid for.

Work hard, play harder.

Justathinslice · 23/05/2019 20:27

They're chancing it. Stick to your guns.

palahvah · 23/05/2019 20:30

If they are a global employer they will be well aware that moving internally doesn't appreciate a salary as much as external moves do. It also compounds the gender pay gap since women are less likely to put themselves forward and negotiate.
So, as The world has said I would ask them about their gender pay gap and remind them of the above being a good reason to offer on your expectation, fair market rate, not your current salary.
You could suggest a probationary step but I would be inclined to make sure this is minimum probationary criteria as otherwise you have no way of knowing whether the targets are fair.

Usuallyinthemiddle · 23/05/2019 20:30

Did a rec con headhunt you?

flowery · 23/05/2019 20:31

A man would never accept that.

Your current salary is irrelevant. If they want to offer less than advertised, ask them why. The only justification would be if you don’t meet all the essential criteria or similar.

newjobnerves · 23/05/2019 20:39

As a pp says, what would a man do? Tell them it's advertised salary if they want you.

Oblomov19 · 23/05/2019 20:41

No man would accept that. You shouldn't either.

Usuallyinthemiddle · 23/05/2019 20:43

The salary should be for the job, not the person. Your rec con should be advocating this for you. It's annoying. If they approached you, they need to pay what it takes. Bane of my bloody life!!!

YouBumder · 23/05/2019 20:44

My job was advertised at 26k a month starting rate.

what do you do? Asking for a friend

PolarBearBubbles · 23/05/2019 20:47

Big mistake ever telling anyone your current salary! Only gives them power.

peachgreen · 23/05/2019 20:52

I would never work anywhere that wasn't prepared to pay me the market rate for my role simply based on my previous salary. That's shocking.

Morgan12 · 23/05/2019 20:54

26k a month???? 😮

CloudRusting · 23/05/2019 20:56

This is a really common issue in large corporates and in my experience is normally driven by HR rather than hiring managers. I really dislike it and it embeds pay disparity.

However if it is a key role and it is hard to get the right people, which the situation suggest, I would certainly hold out.

northdownmummy · 23/05/2019 20:57

Hell no, advertised salary or walk away. Your current salary is irrelevant. They were willing to pay a certain amount and have decided you're the candidate they want. Why should your current salary be a factor, there are many many possible reasons you could be earning less than you're worth in your current role
This is one of the major factors why the gender pay gap exists. Stay strong

CloudRusting · 23/05/2019 21:00

Ps someone mentioned the gender pay gap. I would be slightly careful on going too hard on this line per se because what I often see is big orgs basically saying “we pay men and women at the same grades about the same amounts, the issue is we have more junior women and more senior men”. And I know it is more complex than this but basically it may not directly help your situation - I’d say the stronger argument is market levels and scarcity value.

Have a look on their website because if they have to do gender pay reporting it will be on there.

Jon65 · 23/05/2019 21:01

Negotiate. Point out that they haven't managed to recruit even at the advertised salary. You could accept a lesser salary but reduced hours, the problem with that though is the workload is probably going to be the same you just need to fit it into a reduced amount of time. I think what they are doing is very cheeky and it is difficult to get the pay going upwards once you have accepted the reduced salary. Personally I wouldn't advise it. Hold out for the bottom end of the advertised salary scale.

CloudRusting · 23/05/2019 21:01

Also this sort of situation is why places like New York have been prohibiting asking about existing salary. And I would welcome it’s introduction.

cstaff · 23/05/2019 21:03

Walk away and when you go for your next job up your current salary. You are obviously worth more than you are currently earning. Then badmouth them to the agency or whoever head hunted you.

soulrider · 23/05/2019 21:06

I've told recruiters before that my current salary isn't relevant, and that I'd only consider jobs with a salary of x and up.

I stayed in a role way too long, taking on more responsibility but never seeing any financial reward. I went from earning 21k to a £375 day rate in a single move. I'm not sure that would have happened if I'd disclosed my salary

Usuallyinthemiddle · 23/05/2019 21:06

Don't lie about your salary. If they reference you, you've lied. Just hold firm and don't tell them.
Who has told you that they are likely to under offer? Is it agency recruiter or IR?

Frankenterfer · 23/05/2019 21:08

It’s frustrating isn’t it, same happened to me, I was happy with what they offered but it was still considerably less than advertised!

Snausage · 23/05/2019 21:09

That is some CFery, OP. As others have said, your current salary is irrelevant (how do they even know?!) - they've advertised a role at a certain salary and you shouldn't be accepting a penny less.

Next time, do not divulge your salary!

Original poster

Skippii · 23/05/2019 22:26

Thanks for all the advice, it’s great to get other opinions. It’s the recruitment consultant who is suggesting that the internal recruiter thinks there could be a problem with the internal “package calculators”. But obviously the rec and internal are all on my side bla da bla .

My current employer are only too aware I’m underpaid but have similar global rules which mean they can’t increase my pay. There are very few jobs locally so realistically I’m reliant on remote roles or the few local ones.

The actual hiring manager will be spitting teeth about this, but has little sway over global rules.

The more I write about this the less I want to work for them :( The local team are super though.

Can’t help but think today’s call was setting me up for a fall, if the offer is too low I’ll be telling them to contact the second choice (who doesn’t exist)

OP posts:

Waterandlemonjuice · 23/05/2019 22:28

Agree with flowery

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