am I being greedy?

1. I need some advice. I have two job offers, very similar: same # of hours, benefits, etc., except one pays $1 more per hour. That extra pay is significant to me due to my current situation. I think I would prefer the lower salaried job more just because I enjoy the atmosphere of the place more. Is it unethical or sleazy if I was to ask the lower salaried job people if they would be willing to up my salary to match the other's salary?

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2. 

   About tonypeggy

   Joined: Jan '05; Posts: 24; Likes: 6

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3. 
   Oct 9, '07

   I don't think it's being unethical to ask an employer to increase their rates by $1. What are the benefits of working at the place that pays the lower amount? Are they better than the other? What type of job security and room for advancement do you have at each place? Sometimes, it's not a matter of just money. Gotta look at the long term effects. I wish you the very best in your decision. Look on the bright side - not everyone gets two job offers!
4. 
   Oct 9, '07

   One can always ask!
5. 
   Oct 9, '07

   I don't think you are being greedy, and there is no harm in asking for that extra $. Try your luck and good luck
6. 
   Oct 9, '07

   it is perfectly reasonable to market yourself.
   nothing wrong in sharing another prospective employer is offering x amt, and would love to work for you, if you could possibly meet this salary request...
   
   best of luck, and let us know?
   
   leslie
7. 
   Oct 9, '07

   This is not directed at the OP - just a general observation:
   
   This type of thinking plays a huge role in keeping nursing at the bottom of the food chain.
   
   Ethics and salary do not belong in the same sentence together as they have nothing to do with one another. It is not unethical to ask for more money, nor is it "greedy". We are not in this for charity - our skills have a market value, just like the skills of other professionals.
8. 
   Oct 9, '07

   I agree. There's nothing greedy or unethical about this. I see a lot of people in other industries who are constantly negotiating salaries and benefits. It's not unusual, and often expected.
   
   I worked with a very good nurse who felt she was underpaid for what she did and asked for a raise or she would have to look elsewhere, and got it.
   
   Just politely, but firmly state that you would love the job, but would like to have that extra $1 an hour. The worse they will do is say no.
9. 
   Oct 9, '07

   All they can do is say no. I would professionally state that you would love to accept their job but you have another facility that is offering a higher rate. With the current shortage employers know that they have to stay competitive in order to keep staff. I work agency for a lot of great facilities and I wonder to myself why they are having such staffing issues...it almost always comes down to lousy pay.
10. 
    Oct 9, '07

    Unethical or sleezy? Heck no!
    
    My dad told me early on to never short change myself when it came time to negotiate pay. Always counter every pay offer!
    
    If you have the skills ask for that money (heck, I'd ask for $2 more to give myself some wiggle room!)
11. 
    Oct 9, '07

    Just wanted to wish you luck! I agree that it is not unethical or greedy to ask for more, and all they can do is say no. I hope it all works out for you!
    
    Tiffany
12. 
    Oct 9, '07

    Yes, I agree with eveyone. Who is going to speak up for you....NO ONE. There is a nice way to ask, and if I were you I would. Like they say, all they could say is no. In my opinion, I would always opt for the job you would be most happy with. If your making a buck less a hour, just know that your starting rate and it can only go up from there.
13. 
    Oct 9, '07

    Great points!!! Thank you for your insight. For some reason I thought it might be "unprofessional" to ask for a higher salary. . . I don't feel guilty anymore. I'll let everyone know how it comes out.
14. 
    Oct 10, '07

    Gonna chime in late here. It is never unprofessional to negotiate your pay. Pay really is not the most important factor though, working conditions can be so much more important. State or other smaller companies may not be able to pay what a hospital will pay but the stress level may make up for that.
    
    Years ago I worked for a small facility that was paying RNs roughly 19 dollars an hour. The other facilities around were paying 22-24 base plus differential which we also did not get. The interesting thing about it was all these other hospitals had huge lists of openings and we never had had an opening go unfilled for more than a few weeks. We were staffed appropriately and that seemed to matter more than anything.
    
    Some places other than hospitals also often have a set payrate schedule. If you absolutely have to have that extra dollar, then by all means ask for a higher salary, otherwise if I really wanted the job I would take it making less.

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