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Original poster

This is awkward.

97 replies

LilRobin · 24/01/2023 19:35

Hey everyone,

I started a new job recently. It looked a great opportunity and all was going okay, until I was sat down for a chat about my hours and pay.

I thought the salary seemed a bit on the low side when I went for the job, but it could just about pay what I needed it to. Then today, I was shocked when it was pointed out (and I realised!) that the salary was ‘pro rata’. Which means that the pay is not nearly enough… it would have just kept me afloat at the full advertised amount.

What should I do? This is sooooo embarrassing. I don’t see how the salary would work for me. I do like the job and the people are nice… but I can’t justify the commute etc for this wage. How should I even approach this subject?

Any guidance would be appreciated (and I know I’ve been stupid).

OP posts:
Paq · 24/01/2023 19:39

That is a monumental mistake to make! How low is the salary?

Motnight · 24/01/2023 19:42

If the salary is too low, you have to leave. Your employer isn't going to give you a pay rise because you made a mistake!

SunshineAndFizz · 24/01/2023 19:47

Huh? Didn't you get a contract before you started?

XanaduKira · 24/01/2023 19:48

You need to find a new job asap and then hand your notice in for where you are right now. Good luck.

Mouthfulofquiz · 24/01/2023 19:48

How was the job ad / offer worded?

LIZS · 24/01/2023 19:54

Take on more hours?

EmmaEmerald · 24/01/2023 19:58

Did the contract state what you'd be paid?

Shinyandnew1 · 24/01/2023 19:59

How many hours are you working? What was the advertised salary?

Original poster
LilRobin · 24/01/2023 20:04

Thanks for the replies everybody. So the pay for my trade is usually very decent, I studied and worked for years. This was lower than the wage I’m used to, but the job looked really exciting. The salary seemed on the lower side, but it was less hours than I usually worked, so I put it down to that. When I found out the actual salary… well put it this way, the actual wage is kind of apprenticeship/ internship level! And I am very experienced.

When I was told, I went bright red and just kind of zoned-out.

I had to have three interviews to even get the job….

My Dad said I should be honest and tell them that it’s been a massive misunderstanding.

I’ve actually been crying all evening because I was emotionally invested in this opportunity and thought this was going to be the next 10+ years of my career.

OP posts:
SunshineAndFizz · 24/01/2023 20:22

Your dad is correct. And the employer should be embarrassed not you, they haven't made the salary clear at all.

Speak to them ASAP tomorrow and say something like

"This is an exciting opportunity, but there's been a big mis-communication regarding the salary. No one explained until yesterday that this is pro-rated, which makes the salary far below what I'd expect, based on the level of responsibility and my qualifications and experience. The minimum I'd expect for a role like this is £x...is that something you can offer?"

Paq · 24/01/2023 20:30

Do you still have access to any of the recruitment material? Job ad etc.? Did you genuinely make a mistake or was their stuff unclear?

iklboo · 24/01/2023 20:34

Take on more hours?

Ooh yes. Because it's that easy.

LIZS · 24/01/2023 20:43

Only a suggestion! It might be possible short term. If op were working shorter days the commuting costs are the same for example.

Motnight · 24/01/2023 22:22

SunshineAndFizz · 24/01/2023 20:22

Your dad is correct. And the employer should be embarrassed not you, they haven't made the salary clear at all.

Speak to them ASAP tomorrow and say something like

"This is an exciting opportunity, but there's been a big mis-communication regarding the salary. No one explained until yesterday that this is pro-rated, which makes the salary far below what I'd expect, based on the level of responsibility and my qualifications and experience. The minimum I'd expect for a role like this is £x...is that something you can offer?"

We don't know if the salary was made clear to be honest, or whether it was unclear. Or have I missed that?

Aprilx · 25/01/2023 07:41

SunshineAndFizz · 24/01/2023 20:22

Your dad is correct. And the employer should be embarrassed not you, they haven't made the salary clear at all.

Speak to them ASAP tomorrow and say something like

"This is an exciting opportunity, but there's been a big mis-communication regarding the salary. No one explained until yesterday that this is pro-rated, which makes the salary far below what I'd expect, based on the level of responsibility and my qualifications and experience. The minimum I'd expect for a role like this is £x...is that something you can offer?"

There is simply no way of knowing whether it was the employer that miscommunicated or not. I am finding it quite hard to understand how OP does not have a better idea of what the going rate is in her industry and has even got to the stage of starting the job without knowing her salary.

prh47bridge · 25/01/2023 08:04

Aprilx · 25/01/2023 07:41

There is simply no way of knowing whether it was the employer that miscommunicated or not. I am finding it quite hard to understand how OP does not have a better idea of what the going rate is in her industry and has even got to the stage of starting the job without knowing her salary.

Show quote history

OP does know what the going rate is in her industry and the new employer is paying below that. Her second post is clear that the wage is at apprenticeship/internship level, whereas she is experienced.

She believed she did know the salary. The issue is that she believed the figure offered was the actual salary for the hours she would work, whereas the employer viewed it as the full-time equivalent salary. This does suggest that the employer did not make it sufficiently clear.

If the offer letter and accompanying documentation states the hours and salary but says nothing about the salary being pro rata, the employer is in breach of contract.

wizzler · 25/01/2023 08:16

Just be honest with your new manager. They may make you a better offer or you can start to look for a new job straight away.

Ladyfird · 25/01/2023 08:19

Unless they were deliberately misleading then just be honest and say you misunderstood the pay and cannot afford to stay. Its unlikely they will offer anything more but to be honest if you have to leave as you can't afford to stay then nothing lost really by chancing it is there. Some desirable jobs especially in the arts sector do still get very experienced and accomplished applicants for criminally low pay so probably wouldn't have seen that weird to them.

PinkFrogss · 25/01/2023 08:19

If it’s a role you really want OP, would it be possible to get another part time job to do as well to top you up?

You can always tell them you’d like to work extra hours now, or in the future if it ever becomes an option.

Otherwise, yes unfortunately it is back to job hunting

Happygone · 25/01/2023 08:20

Just tell them asap that it's not sustainable for you.

DrMarciaFieldstone · 25/01/2023 08:22

Was it not advertised as pro rata then?

OnceAgainWithFeeling · 25/01/2023 08:23

What was the wording on the advert?

FlakyCroissant · 25/01/2023 08:24

How awful OP. I really feel for you.

I've never been in that situation but all you can do is be honest and ask for the salary you want. They must have thought all their Christmases had come at once when you applied - I definitely think there must have been some miscommunication for you to not realise it's pro rata.

What did the job ad say? Do you have any paperwork of the job description or offer letter so you can see how it's worded?

clarrylove · 25/01/2023 08:30

It either said 'pro rata' or it didn't. One is your mistake, one is theirs.

OnceAgainWithFeeling · 25/01/2023 08:32

And if it’s their mistake you may have grounds to hold them to it.