New job salary

Lynn11

I was recently made redundant end September and started applying for jobs in July/August. Anyway I am restricted due to childcare and looked for part-time job for certain days. I got a phone call 7th October to say that I was successful and would start a job-share job in a school during office work. I know when I applied the salary was 11589-14500 I think but I thought that I would get offered this job at the middle of the salary grading. Anyway after 6 weeks of waiting for disclosure paperwork etc, I am starting my new job tomorrow but council HR advised me that I would be starting at the bottom of the grading and I would eventually get a contract. I requested a letter from them stating this but they do not usually do this. Anyway she mentioned that I could write to see if with my qualifications and experience that the salary would be increased. Do I write to them re this when I am only starting tomorrow as I have no information on anything about this or when there will be salary reviews etc. I am happy that I have job rather than still being on dole but not really sure if this covers the nursery fees and have taken a bit cut in hours as well as salary. I have a friend calculating what my monthly takehome pay would be as I may have to reconsider things when the job market picks up. What are peoples comments?

SomeBozo

Can't speak for the education sector, but in the NHS you start at the bottom a "grade" unless your current wage is higher, then you are put on the next "step" on the grade.

Bozo

pinkshoes

Well the £11589 is not much more than the minimum wage! I think it's wrong of them to state a salary bracket and only tell you the day before what your wage will actually be.

Personally, I'd be looking for another job that was better paid, whilst at the same time writing a polite letter to HR stating your qualifications and experience, and why you feel you should be on a higher salary from that bracket, and how surprised you were to be put on the lower salary.

marksoton

For what reason did you believe you would be employed in the middle of the salary bracket ?

Lynn11

I think that I will write the letter and see what happens. I was under the impression why would they ask for details of your previous job including salary etc if there were not going to consider it. I would not mind if they said it was this for 3mths and then increase but I do not when any increases will be made. Anyway I am really restricted in when I can work as my daughter goes to nursery wed-fri, and there are not a lot of job out for these days, hopefully I can plod along and see what happens as it is better then the £60.50 a week and review later on.

marksoton

Lynn11 wrote: »

I think that I will write the letter and see what happens. I was under the impression why would they ask for details of your previous job including salary etc if there were not going to consider it. I would not mind if they said it was this for 3mths and then increase but I do not when any increases will be made. Anyway I am really restricted in when I can work as my daughter goes to nursery wed-fri, and there are not a lot of job out for these days, hopefully I can plod along and see what happens as it is better then the £60.50 a week and review later on.

It does not seem like good practice on their part. When you were offered the job was it verbally or by letter ? If by letter is should certainly have stated a specific salary.

shopndrop

Lynn 11 - Good luck for tomorrow.
I have worked in school offices in the past. From memory, I think when you first start, you are paid at the bottom rate for the grade, then after 6 months, you go onto next level. You also go up a level each April, so although you are starting tomorrow, by May, your salary could have gone up by 2 levels. Why not ask HR how the increments work.

Lynn11

Thanks shopndrop. I hope you and my friend are correct and there will be a decent wage increase for me in April. I have no choice but to do the job as hubbie seems to think he will be out of a job in the near future, so at least we will have money although small coming in. I not sure if I will write a letter or wait and see. Hopefully I will enjoy the job and it will work out.

shopndrop

Can you not just give HR a call and explain that you are due to start work and wonder how the salary increments work? I am sure they will be happy to explain.