Hi, I'm a new grad and I got a job offer last week. The HR personnel who contacted me asked me if I accept the job offer without telling me pay rates. He also mentioned that the HR would send me an email fairly soon, so I asked him if I would be informed pay rates and relevant information and he said yes.
I received an email. However, It was not an offer letter but some form for BCI. I asked the person who sent the email (HR assistant) if I can receive an offer letter before we proceed but she replied that I would receive it at the orientation. I asked her again that it doesn't have to be an official letter but I would like to know the details of the job offer even informally. HR called me to set my orientation and physical, but again she insisted that I would receive the information at the orientation.
Isn't it odd? Attend an orientation not knowing my pay rates? The nursing manager told me that she hoped HR would offer me pay rates before they contacted me so I assume she doesn't know what's going on.What should I do? Should I contact the nursing manager and explain my situation? It's a large hospital group and I thought there would be some protocols for hiring processes. Any advice will be appreciated. TIA!
TriciaJ is right. Whether the lack of communication regarding pay rate is disorganization or shadiness, both are red flags.
Ask them in writing for a formal offer, with pay details. Tell them you cannot accept the offer unless there is an... offer. Outlining pay is a standard part of the hiring process and it is alarming that they won't tell you. I would NOT show up to orientation just to find out they aren't paying you baloney and you are stuck with a black mark on your employment record if you leave them.
If I were you, I would be more bold and say, "you know, I have asked multiple times for information on my salary and have not received it yet. Before I sign anything and go further, I need to know what my starting wage would be or please email the details."
I would NEVER wait until orientation for that information. Sorry... don't fall for it! You have a RIGHT to know.
I agree with everyone else that it's extremely odd and I think this poster (with a great name, BTW!) has provided a very good script for exactly how to proceed in your communication with them.
I'm wondering if they pull this trick ONLY with new graduates. I doubt any experienced employee (nsg or otherwise) would permit this type of baloney.
I also wonder if a local Dept of Labor would be interested. When on unemployment, there's a question that asks "have you been offered a position?" If a job seeker answered "YES, but I declined - because they wouldn't tell me the payrate". I'd bet that would get an investigation!
The fact that they blow you off every time you ask tells you what you need to know.
However, she's a new grad, wants to be working, might have a money crunch.
What a turdy way to treat a prospective employee.
OP, if you can find another job, do that.
Or contact the hiring manager and speak plainly about your dilemma. I don't know if I'd go to the HR manager/director because you will have made an enemy of a very powerful person. Still, the whole thing is really so disrespectful.
I'm wondering if they pull this trick ONLY with new graduates. I doubt any experienced employee (nsg or otherwise) would permit this type of baloney.
I also wonder if a local Dept of Labor would be interested. When on unemployment, there's a question that asks "have you been offered a position?" If a job seeker answered "YES, but I declined - because they wouldn't tell me the payrate". I'd bet that would get an investigation!
Quite an odd situation here.
I believe answering the question about declining a job offer in the affirmative will do nothing more than to insure that you are not awarded unemployment. That governmental department does not have the resources to complete the administrative hearings/investigations that are already on its plate as it is without looking for the reason why every unemployed person turned down a single offer of work. I have asked straight out how to answer this question during an unemployment interview, (they always call you when there is something non-Kosher about your application), and the guy took pity on my naivete and told me in essence to always answer with the information that the person on the other end wants to hear, point well-taken.
You Are Wrong RockNurse. A little birdie told me he'd be making $10.50 an hour that includes PM, NOC, & Weekend differentials.
If I can be of any assistance. PLEASE DO NOT SHOW-UP TO WORK on the first day of orientation cause once you do, you are considered an employee and on their clock... and as a new grad. you don't want to quit on your first day.
Have some Balls. Ask them firmly! yeah bring this emoticon face when you see them!
So just showing up makes you an employee? No written job offer? No discussion of and acceptance of pay, hours, etc.? Somehow, this sounds nutty enough to be seen legally as a job offer but I hope not, especially since OP has an email trail asking for pay rate and hasn't been given one.
I have never been offered a position without knowing what the rate of pay would be. Hell even when a recruiter called to set up an interview with the unit manager the rate of pay for the position was made known to me way before any job offer. Very odd that they are offering you a position without letting you know what the rate of pay was. Doubly odd that you haven't received an offer letter/e-mail that outlines what you position title is, who your direct supervisor is, what your rate of pay is, when you date of hire is, what on-boarding tasks you need to complete before your first day. This is basic stuff.
"Yeah, sure I accept your half-baked job offer. I'll let you know when I can show up for work."
Totally strange to not have the rate of pay included with the offer. As PP said, this is the best side showing. What happens when you need information on vacation, sick time, health insurance or other benefits.
So it boils down to how desperate are you. Reject the offer, attempt to negotiate the offer, take the offer but quit at the get-go if you find out the pay is truly dirt, accept the offer with dirt-pay then stick it out no matter what to get that golden year of experience as your reward.
My wife's little motto: It all works out for the best when you make the best of what works out.
I agree that you should show up and find out ....unless you have other concrete offers, play along with the madness. You can demand your potential employers be reasonable after you have experience and some negotiating power.
I DISAGREE. New or seasoned, we're all adults. First never demand, rather request, negotiate, and have a tactful conversation backed up with examples that describe how and why you are more "valuable" than the offer they presented.
New grads with any substantial prior work experience have a foot to stand on. We all need to act like adults and talk to other adults about the details of employment without fear that "they" are a big company, so "they" know what's best for me and "they" would never try to pay 55cents less than they actually could.
Boy oh boy. Nursing with patients requires compassion. Nursing in relation to HR and talks about money requires self advocacy. (Also don't "expect" to get what you want, but at least give it a shot!)
yeah bring this emoticon face when you see them! 
NotAllWhoWandeRN, ASN, RN
791 Posts
TriciaJ is right. Whether the lack of communication regarding pay rate is disorganization or shadiness, both are red flags.
Ask them in writing for a formal offer, with pay details. Tell them you cannot accept the offer unless there is an... offer. Outlining pay is a standard part of the hiring process and it is alarming that they won't tell you. I would NOT show up to orientation just to find out they aren't paying you baloney and you are stuck with a black mark on your employment record if you leave them.