salary negotiations? greedy?

Question

have you ever heard of an HR rep telling someone not to ask for more money because they dont want to look greedy? I am transfering with my company and my wife is applying for a job with the same company in the new location. She is very much over qualified for the job that she is applying for and they are offering her way below what she deserves, $14 dollars an hour. She asked for $15 an hour, which is still way below what she should be making, and the HR rep advised her that she shouldnt ask for more because she did not want to look greedy. is this the most retarded thing you have ever heard or is this a common practice?

Answer 1

Unfortunately, I think that it is more of a common practice than you might imagine. An HR Rep is an agent of the company, and consequently is only concerned with the best interests of the company. Certainly not your best interests.

So, when the rep tells you that YOU are the greedy one because you want to get paid a fair wage, it shouldn't surprise you. In fact, it should be expected. A company will always try to pay you the minimum amount required to keep you at work, and not a penny more.

It's not greedy for you to ask for a wage that you think is fair for the position. If you don't ask, it won't be offered. Good Luck!!!

Answer 2

This is what I think. If your wife is overqualified but enjoys the work and doesn't care too much about the pay, then she should take the $14/hr but make sure she tells them that she expects a pay raise after a performance review is done after 3 months. If the performance review is excellent, then she should ask for $15/hr or $16/hr. 9 months later (1 year into the job), she should ask for another performance review. If the performance review is excellent, then she should demand another pay raise. If she is denied the pay raise, then she can tell the employer she will begin looking for another job. Most employers will negotiate a pay raise to keep their employees. But don't expect a huge pay raise. Maybe only $16.50-$17 an hour, and that is assuming that her performance reviews are EXCELLENT.


Now if she doesn't really like the work, and will be bothered the entire time she is working because she thinks $14/hr is too little, then she should apply elsewhere and find a job that will pay her for her qualifications.
Good luck to you and your wife! I wish you both the very best.

Answer 3

First of all, I don't agree with the HR rep that negotiating for a much reasonable wage is being greedy. I for one would not settle for a salary that I believe is too low for my qualifications. Besides HR should know that employees are paid based on expertise and performance level.

To be civil and professional about the whole predicament, why not ask your wife to highlight all her previous accomplishments, work history, previous compensation and skills. Then graciously ask the HR rep to reconsider or even to review her qualifications again. You are willing to compromise as long as the wage is reasonable and worth the position. Besides what is the prevailing rate of her position - if you believe that $15 is still way below - then don't give in.

Benefit of the doubt that the HR rep was just trying to negotiate a lower rate BUT if she/he feels you would not allow this and feels your wife's great potential then I am sure she/he will reconsider. Good luck!

Answer 4

It's odd to say the least for HR to consider someone as being greedy for asking for more money.

That said, your wife being overqualified for the job doesn't mean that they should pay more than the job is worth, so she needs to realize that if she's going to take a job below her abilities, the pay would logically be much less also - they pay for the job being done, not more because the person doing it is overqualified.

Answer 5

Well, you don't think she is going to tell you to ask for more do you? She represents the company!

If your wife is that overqualified, she will not be happy. why take the job?

Answer 6

That is awkward.