I was offered less money than advertised

[ChimneySweepLiverpool]

Hi everyone,

I work with children and I'm used to low pay. I am looking to move to charity sector. I knew this meant a possible pay drop. I am a manger in my job, educated to degree level and have 13 years experience.

I did an interview with a panel two weeks ago and it went very well. Yesterday they offered less salary than advertised - they claim I could work my way up with and pay will increase every year.

I'm disappointed as I'm overqualified for and was hoping to negotiate from the advertised amout offer so I'm surprised to be offered less. I'm very tempted to just reply saying 'I won't be taking this job due to being offered less than what was advertised'.

Any advice? 😞

It's definitely left a sour taste

I've been in quite a toxic work environment for a while now, which has definitely broken some confidence in me. I'm trying to pull up my big girl pants here. For some reason I'm feeling quite negative about this job now

Being offered £4000 less than advertised will do that. Are you sure it didn't say "up to"?

No, I thankfully screenshotted the ad and still have it. It also says its a first point on an incremental yearly salary in the ad

Just reply back saying thank you for the offer, that you would like to discuss the salary as the job advert was clear that the role would be compensated at xx and the offer is below that amount, and see what they say.

I'd go back and say that you applied for the job starting at £xxx that you have both qualifications and experience, in fact more than is asked for on the advert/JD. Is it the HR department you're dealing with as you just need to put forward your reasoning for the full amount, then they'll have to accept it as you have all they've asked for

@FloofPaws it's actually the CEO I'm dealing with for negotiations, rather than HR

Agree with the others along the lines of "appears to be a mistake". If they don't correct I'd pass, as starting off with a £4000 reduction in pay doesn't bode well.

Agree - just say: thanks for the offer. But think there’s been a mistake

you don’t need to negotiate anything - the onus is on them to offer what they have said they will offer

perhaps it is a mistake

Was the offer made in writing? I'd seriously not even respond to that. Cheeky fuckers. Let them wait they'll probably ring eventually and then you can simply say " it was advertised at £££" and see what they say.

Yeah it was a phone call to offer the position from the CEO and then she emailed with the salary listed in a formal offer

@ChimneySweepLiverpool Ask for a call to discuss, or simply reply saying what you want such as “the position was advertised at salary x-y and I feel my many years’ experience is worth a salary of z. I would also prefer to start at 0800 and finish at 1600. If we can come to agreement on this I would be delighted to accept”.

I’d be asking for the top end if I have what they want in terms of experience.

Is it a very small charity op? Do you know anyone else who works there? I work in the charity sector and I would be extremely wary - I have unfortunately come across many small charities run by crusading individuals who think everyone should sacrifice themselves for the vision. Somehow the boss always seems to be paid pretty well though.

go back to them, say it must be a mistake, and be prepared to walk away if the response is anything other than a grovelling and embarrassed apology

you will get another job if this one does not work out

From my experience working for a national charity, it will only get worse from this point. All charities seem to be even more stretched than usual due to increased demand on services and lower donations to keep them ticking over.
I'd decline, personally.

I had this happen.

The role was advertised at £25-£30k.

They offered £21k, which was actually less than the £22k I was already on, and for 2.5 hours more a week.

I withdrew my application. They'd shown a lack of respect and I didn't want to work with them.

I don't know anyone who works there

It's a charity for adoption that has been around since the 80s but is public funded, rather than donation (in case this makes a difference as I am only learning about the charity world)

They are small, yes. Maybe 12-15 staff

Did the CEO mention the salary to be offered in the call? If not, I would negotiate by replying along the lines suggested by @SunshineAndFizz but state you understood the starting salary to be X as stated in the ad. Then let them come back to you. Really worth negotiating. There is research that shows a lack of negotiating contributes to the gender pay gap.

I'd email back saying thank you for the offer, there seems to be a
Mistake on the salary offer as it was advertised at £x, I'd happily accept the offer at the advertised amount as I have all of the skills as set out in the requirements, and some skills which make me more qualified/experienced than asked.

I'd send a message like the above and see what they come back with.
Good luck

I agree with the gender pay gap mention. I don't want to generalise but I sometimes tell myself 'a man would say this' when I'm trying to give myself a kick to negotiate

After speaking with those in my life, looking at the commute and thinking about the offer of less salary, I've decided to withdraw from the job offer

Thanks to Mumsnet for the advice x

They’re the charity OP, not you.

The only time I accepted the lower than advertised salary, they were the ultimate tightwads. Charging for coffee, arguing over expenses, dragging their heels paying etc. They were really petty. I left after 6 months.

As Pp said, know your worth and look elsewhere.

Even if you are keen to change sector/jobs, I wouldn't accept this! The adoption agency bit rang a bell and then I remembered reading your other thread - they already messed around with getting back to you after the interview, didn't they? And if the salary was already low and now they are offering £4k less is it even hitting minimum wage? Honestly, they sound like they will be difficult, penny-pinching and demanding employers to work for. There will be better jobs for you.

Well they delayed giving me an answer, they used the excuse that someone had to go away unexpectedly but who knows @AlohaRose. My gut is just telling me no for this job

£4k less is actually insulting.

Don't just withdraw - let them know you find their offer insulting.

Good luck with your job search