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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:
dudsville · 25/01/2023 08:40

I'm wondering what's going on intensities for you. You're very experienced but accidently applied and interviewed for a job at apprentice level pay. Then when in a meeting about it you went bright red and have been crying and You're unsure as to how to handle it. It certainly is a weird situation. Is there something else going on?

But that aside, a straight forward "there's been a mistake" conversation is pretty straightforward. Hand in your notice explaining your misunderstanding and get back to your job search.

dudsville · 25/01/2023 08:41

"Intesities" should read "internally".

pelargoniums · 25/01/2023 08:44

I don’t understand how you can be sat down for a chat about hours and pay after you start a job, unless it’s uncontracted casual work.

herewego9 · 25/01/2023 08:45

This happened in our work when we were recruiting. The advert wasn't clear that the advertised salary would be pro-rata. It completely wasted everyone's time that applied as when it was offered to two applicants they both turned it down when they heard the actual salary.

WeepingSomnambulist · 25/01/2023 08:46

Did it say pro-rated in the advert or not?

If it didn't, then you can be professional and discuss how the job was advertised, industry norma for salary and how much you need to stay at their company. If they dont meet it, then leave.

If the ad did say pro-rated then it is your mistake and you just need to find another job.

AlisonDonut · 25/01/2023 08:47

You need to pick yourself up, look for a new job and read the small print next time. We all learn as we go.

Disappointingbiscuit · 25/01/2023 09:04

Any chance you can go back to your old job? Have they replaced you? I agree with your dad btw, it is going to be really awkward but it does seem the best way forward

TallulahBetty · 25/01/2023 09:09

If it's your dream job, could you take on another PT job to get more money in?

starfishmummy · 25/01/2023 09:10

It does all hinge on what they said the salary was. If they mentioned an monthly/annual sum and didn't make it clear that it was pro rata the they have made a big mistake or have done it deliberately....

Ca get help from universal credit to top your money up?

starfishmummy · 25/01/2023 09:11

Oops I meant to say help from UC while you look for another job

determinedtomakethiswork · 25/01/2023 09:12

TallulahBetty · 25/01/2023 09:09

If it's your dream job, could you take on another PT job to get more money in?

You mean work double time?

Beercrispsandnuts · 25/01/2023 09:16

Pro rata if part time is totally the norm though, so this is a misunderstanding, it seems you went for a junior part time job and didn’t realise it. You will need to tel, them you didn’t understand.

WomanStanleyWoman2 · 25/01/2023 09:38

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

To what end, though? They’re not going to say “Oh dear - what a pickle! Never mind; we’ll just pay you the full time salary”.

Even if it turns out that they didn’t make clear that it was pro rata, you’ll have a hell of a time enforcing a higher salary. You’re presumably still in your probationary period - they could just say it isn’t working out and that they won’t be keeping you on.

Your best option is to find something else as soon as possible. And check the salary details very, very carefully!

audweb · 25/01/2023 09:39

I had this happen once, someone started a new job with me and didn’t realise it was pro rata. Thing is the advert and all the info said pro rata so it was very clearly on them and not on us as an employer. There was nothing I could do, it was their mistake. Unless they weren’t clear on the advert etc there’s not much they can do.

PinkFrogss · 25/01/2023 09:40

determinedtomakethiswork · 25/01/2023 09:12

You mean work double time?

Show quote history

Well if OP is currently working part time, and she takes another part time job it would work out as equal to, or only slightly more than, full time hours. So no, not double time

Phineyj · 25/01/2023 09:45

OP, as a piece of life advice, never ever start a new job without the salary and other important conditions confirmed in writing. Just no. Never. You cannot trust employers. Even the nice ones are often disorganised and crap!

familyissues12345 · 25/01/2023 09:45

If your that experienced, would they not have pointed out that you were applying for something more junior at the interview? Or doesn't it work like that?

pattihews · 25/01/2023 09:47

determinedtomakethiswork · 25/01/2023 09:12

You mean work double time?

Show quote history

If it's a pro-rata job that means it's part-time. TallulahBetty was suggesting that the OP finds other work to make up the hours.

VegetablesFightingToReclaimTheAubergieneEmoji · 25/01/2023 09:51

WomanStanleyWoman2 · 25/01/2023 09:38

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

To what end, though? They’re not going to say “Oh dear - what a pickle! Never mind; we’ll just pay you the full time salary”.

Even if it turns out that they didn’t make clear that it was pro rata, you’ll have a hell of a time enforcing a higher salary. You’re presumably still in your probationary period - they could just say it isn’t working out and that they won’t be keeping you on.

Your best option is to find something else as soon as possible. And check the salary details very, very carefully!

This.
even if they rectify their mistake, they are unlikely to be able to sustain that level of pay for you. It’s probably best to start looking now

TiredandLate · 25/01/2023 10:03

Wow. How did you not realise? Was the advert unclear? If you've left another job for this one have they already replaced you?

007DoubleOSeven · 25/01/2023 10:09

Unless they really did deliberately mislead you, ithink you simply need to find another job. Don't mention your mistake to them, when you leave just say you've been offered another and decided to accept or that your personal circumstances have changed and tyvm for the opportunity etc etc

StoppinBy · 25/01/2023 11:05

Whether it was there mistake or yours, I guess the only thing you can do is let them know what has happened.

I am curious though as to whether they made it clear and you missed it or whether it wasn't clear at all.

StoppinBy · 25/01/2023 11:07

Oops, their mistake, not there.

Haha, I was busy pactising typing without looking at my keyboard and got distracted by that.

Back2Back2t · 25/01/2023 11:40

OP, I don't understand.

How do you take a job without really knowing what the pay is?

What about your pre-employment contract?

I'm sorry this doesn't make sense to me.

Anyway, you need to leave if the pay is not what you expected and you need more to survive. I would say, stay put until you find a new job.

You only just started so I don't imagine you'll have much of a notice. One week if that, so there's no need to put in your notice until you've secured another job.

When you do find another job, if you don't understand the remuneration terms, then ask before taking the job.

vivainsomnia · 25/01/2023 11:45

Was the job advertised PT? In that case, it would have stated the salary pro rata. Or was it advertised PT and you accepted the hours advertised? If so, the logic is that the advertised salary was for PT hours.

Until thi is clarified, it's not possible to say whether they made an error or you did.

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