Hired for new job, but they gave me a pay cut without knowing it.

[heather24242]

I'm not sure what to do in this weird circumstance. I am currently a per diem CNA at a nursing home. I applied to a per diem CNA position at a hospital a while ago because I wanted to get hospital experience since I am starting nursing school this fall. I finally had an interview about a month after I submitted the application, and I was offered the job over the phone the next day. I accepted the job over the phone, but at a pay cut. However I don't think they knew they gave me a pay cut. That is because when I applied over a month ago, my pay at the nursing home was $11.75 an hour, so that is what I put on my application when applying to the new job. The new job hired me for exactly $11.75 and hour. However since originally applying to the job, I got a pay raise at the nursing home for $13.50 an hour. So when I accepted the new job, I actually am now getting a pay cut. I think if my application has said I was making $13.50, they would have probably offered me that instead. However, I already accepted the offer at $11.75 because I am a very shy person and I did not want to confront HR and about it, and I did not want to loose the job offer. So now my question is what should I do? I am already hired and have orientation scheduled for next week. Do I tell someone about my circumstance and try to get them to match the $13.50, or should I just deal with getting a pay cut, which I am disappointed about. I regret not telling them about my pay raise at my old job when they first offered me the job at the hospital, but I can't change that now. Does anyone have any suggestions about what I should do in this situation? Thanks.

[llg, PhD, RN]

They offered you a job at $11.75. You accepted the job and that pay. You should be willing to live with $11.75 for a while.

If you try to get more money out of them now, it will make you look bad in the eyes of Human Resources and your Manager. It would be the equivalent of a "bait and switch" that some employers try to get away with -- make lots of promises when they hire you and then change their tune once you are working for them. We hate it when employers do that to us. So don't be equally bad and do it to them.

I would take the job (and pay) that you agreed to -- assuming you still want the job. But after establishing a positive relationship with them, I would ask your Manager about the pay scale and when might be a reasonable time for you to get a raise. Explain what happened and ask when and how you might go about getting a pay increase -- but be willing to live with what you accepted. It's not their fault that your former employer gave out raises just as you were in the process of leaving.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

You are going to have to suck it up. It will be worth it for the hospital experience I think.

[elkpark]

Not much you can do -- they offered you a job at that wage, and you accepted. What do you expect their response to be if you now go back to them and say, "Oh, wait, I want more money." How much money you are making at you current job is irrelevant. Your choices, as I see it, are to take the job at the wage you agreed to, or decline the job offer (and burn bridges with that employer). Best wishes.

[RNfaster]

You might try discussing it with either the hiring manager or HR...(If you seemed to have a greater affinity for one versus the other, you might try that person.) ---You might ask how the pay is calculated (some places base in on verifiable experience, and will not budge). You might let them know your current rate and ask about the proposed salary. If they say that is what the salary is, you might take the job, do well, and then after a number of months, ask again.

I would do what llg proposed in her last paragraph, but do it now... I would let them know you very much value and want this position, but did not discuss salary.

I don't know your gender. Someone in my family has a business, and says that female candidates do not negotiate for money like males. The males are more aggressive and often get more compensation because of it. It is better to bring money up a little earlier...but I am sure you will do that next time.

[soapfloats]

You accepted an offer with lower pay. The time to negotiate was when they gave the offer; it's too late now.

This job will be excellent experience, look good on your resume, and there's a possibility that they will hire you as an RN upon graduation.

The pay cut stinks, but you had planned on getting that sum when you applied a month ago, correct?

Be happy for yourself, your another step towards your goal. :)