New Job! Negotiation advice please...

[SassyStacey]

Hello All,

I have just got the job! Woohoo! I went for an interview on Thursday, and got the job that afternoon!

So now negotiations start! I am taking a pay cut, as this job is more of a career move than chasing the $$. So how do I negotiate effectively? Have you refused a job over a small difference in $$?

There is the topic of maternity leave and benefits the company offers, how do I find out this info without asking directly? What are the minimum requirements companies have to give regarding maternity leave?

Thanks for your help!

[briggsy's girl]

there are no minimum requirements re paid mat leave. i don't know that there are any in regard to holding your position but i believe there may be

[Nai]

They need to offer you an employment contract and all of the details will be in that. You can ask for them to go through all of the details in the contract over the phone or to email you a copy of all their employment terms & conditions prior to you recieving the written offer.

Maternity leave is legislated and the minimum requirement is for them to offer 6 weeks unpaid maternity leave. After you have been with them for 12 months then it becomes 12 months unpaid maternity leave and they are required to give you the same or equivalent job back on your return. You are also able to request altered working hours on your return and they are required to consider the request and give that to you if it is reasonable and workable for the business (so they can basically just say no).

[tiggerlinda]

Get a letter of offer and contract before you resgin from you current role

How Much of a paycut are you taking?

Did you know the salary b4 interview?

Were you approached by the company or did you apply?

Do you wish to stay in your current role if you don't get more money?

Will check in later for more advice.

[SassyStacey]

Hello,

Thanks Nai, I didnt know the legal side of things. Will try and see if maternity leave is covered in their policy, will request a copy.

Hi TiggerLinda, I am looking forward to your advice - here are my answers...

I am yet to get an offer of employment and the contract, hopefully should be coming through today. I will probably resign at the beginning of next week, as my new employer doesnt want me to start until New Year, and I have to give 4 weeks notice. So, I have a bit of time up my sleeve.

I am taking a $4000 paycut, which is a big difference to me, because I am on a low wage anyway.

I was told the salary was between certain amounts, but I didnt think they would offer me the lowest amount!

I was given the interview through a recruitment agency, they offered me the job straight after the interview, so I think they are pretty keen to employ me....

I dont think I will stay in my current role, as long as I can establish when I will be getting back to my previous jobs salary.

Should I let future employer know that I am taking a paycut? Its actually all through the recruitment agency, so I am contacting her via email today, how do I broach the subject?

Thanks!

[Nai]

Did you tell the agency what you were currently earning? They should be doing the negotiations on your behalf on your salary. You should tell them what you are currently on and what you have been offered. You can always try to bridge the gap eg. if the employer is will to go up by $2K then you will drop by $2K and then it isn't such a big drop. Alternately you could ask for your salary to be reviewed after the probation period so that you can demonstrate that you can do the job then they can give you a pay increase.

[Pandora]

Yep I agree the agency should be doing the salary negotiationg for you, tell them what you want and let the negotiate it with the employer, they will have a better idea than you of what the employer is really willing to pay.

WRT parental leave, this may not be in your contract, mine did not include any information on leave other than annual and sick leave, so Ididnt find out til after I started that they have no provision for paid parental leave at all. Luckily for me they brought it in after I started and I sould qualify.

I would be really careful about directly requesting this information, it can be tricky.

[tiggerlinda]

OK

I am a State Mgr recuitment consultant so yes they should negoitate the offer for you and I would be saying that I need to be a least mid way beacuse it is quite a cut

I would still not resgin till the get you a confrmation of offer

I will PM you my mobile if you would like to call me

[tiggerlinda]

Ok Stacey

I am a State Mangager in Recuitment they should negotiate the offer for you and I would be asking the consultant to get you the mid range of the offer and yes let them know the current offeer is a pay cut. Even if they don't agree straight away go for an increase after the promotion period.

All the leave deatils should be in the contract I would not stress over this too much after 12 mths with a company they need to hold a role and if they offer paid leave it is a bonus