8% salary cut during 6-month probationary period (IT company) - common?

St1mpMeister · 13-07-2015 10:18AM #1

I've been offered a job, and have the contract to sign this week.

One of the stipulations is that there is a 6-month probationary period and during this time I will get 8% less salary (after the 6 months are up I'll automatically be put up to the full salary).

Just curious how common this is in IT companies (I know it's common in some other industries).

In my past experience I'd get the normal salary during the probation period, but just without the security of a permanent role.

RoyalMarine · 13-07-2015 10:21AM

My current role started at 23.5k and after the 6 month probation period increased to 27k.

It's common to pay a lower wage during probation and increase once completed. This way, it encourages you to work harder I guess.

St1mpMeister · 13-07-2015 10:24AM

RoyalMarine wrote: »

This way, it encourages you to work harder I guess.

lol I guess

AlanG · 13-07-2015 11:16AM

If you are well skilled and experienced this would be very unusual, you should say no. If you are going for a 20k - 30k role then it is not too surprising. Make sure you have the increase in writing however.

St1mpMeister · 13-07-2015 11:23AM

AlanG wrote: »

If you are well skilled and experienced this would be very unusual

It does seem to be the company's policy rather than a comment on my skills, so curious if other companies have the same rules.

I'd have several years under my belt so the salary would be in a higher tier for what I work in.

The increase is written into the contract.

gandalf · 13-07-2015 11:34AM

Is it 8% less of a salary than the role was advertised for ? If so I'd find that quite dishonest and I'd be wary of working for a company that operates like this.

Typically any job I have worked in or seen others accept would have a salary and then the possibility of a higher salary after probation or more typically after clearing probation, 12 months of service and hitting and exceeding KPI's.

St1mpMeister · 13-07-2015 01:46PM

gandalf wrote: »

Is it 8% less of a salary than the role was advertised for ? If so I'd find that quite dishonest and I'd be wary of working for a company that operates like this.

The salary wasn't advertised, we discussed what I was looking for and then they made an offer which is:

The amount X that I was looking for (more or less), but X-8% for the first 6 months during probation. After 6 months it automatically will go up to X, guaranteed.

gandalf wrote: »

Typically any job I have worked in or seen others accept would have a salary and then the possibility of a higher salary after probation or more typically after clearing probation, 12 months of service and hitting and exceeding KPI's.

OK so it's normal for salary to be lower during probation in IT?

That's really the question I'm asking (being on probation isn't the issue). My experience in smaller companies has been to have the standard salary during probation (although admittedly because of their size they probably did things a little differently to larger companies)

percy212 · 13-07-2015 01:50PM

Shysters in Ireland will try anything to save a few quid. I think this is outrageous. Probation is fine, but why be punished because they want to try before they buy.

Manach · 13-07-2015 02:01PM

In my experience never came across this before. Usually after the first year is passed then there is a pay bump to a higher level if all is satisfactory - thus the OP starting at a lower level, would make this less likely?

Mrs OBumble · 13-07-2015 02:01PM

What is the salary like compared to offers from other employers who are offering you jobs (or where you are now)? Really that is the only fair comparison.

Really what's happened is that they've made you an offer which is less than you are happy with, but said that it will go up to what you are happy with in six month time. Possibly they only really wanted to pay the lower level anyway, are willing to stretch a bit - but want to be certain that you're worth it.

St1mpMeister · 13-07-2015 02:13PM

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Really what's happened is that they've made you an offer which is less than you are happy with, but said that it will go up to what you are happy with in six month time. Possibly they only really wanted to pay the lower level anyway, are willing to stretch a bit - but want to be certain that you're worth it.

Pretty much ... I guess the base salary Y could be considered what I call "X-8%".

So in fact I would be receiving "Y+8%" after 6 months... it's possible that others in my position are only getting Y though.

So perhaps I'm not getting a cut, but perhaps the company doesn't pay the going rate as standard but will stretch to it after 6 months.

druidhill · 16-07-2015 08:12PM

Does it matter?
i.e. does it have any bearing on whether you will take the gig or not? If not, don't give it a further thought (six months will be over before you know it).

Regards.

Tar.Aldarion · 18-07-2015 10:35AM

Your starting salary will have very little to do with how much you make, if you like the job go for it, a good job is far more important than quibbling over 8% when you are starting out for 6 months imo.

8% salary cut during 6-month probationary period (IT company) - common?

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