Interviewer Goes Off On A Potential Employee For Expecting To Be Paid $15 An Hour When They Listed A $12-$19 Range
Different jobs pay different wages and that is understandable because some jobs don’t need specific qualifications while others require a degree, some jobs include a higher responsibility than others, some jobs are more dangerous than others, and so on.
But what all these kinds of jobs should have in common regardless of whether they are higher-paying or not so much is that they should pay a livable wage. Because a job is a job and a person should be able to afford a place to live in, to buy food, clothes and have some money for unexpected expenses.
Sadly, not all employers understand that and will not pay their employees what they deserve. On the bright side, people are starting to realize their value and won’t settle for less. One of these kinds of examples is redditor scubasteve2242 who asked for a wage in the suggested range that would satisfy them but was called too greedy.
More info: Reddit
A Redditor shared a story how they had to listen to a rant during a job interview after requesting to be paid $15 an hour
Image credits: Ben Schumin (not the actual photo)
The Original Poster (OP) had been talking with a lady from a company they had submitted a job application to for a few weeks and finally got an official phone interview. The position didn’t require specific qualifications. The job description included vague requirements like a college education, an absence of criminal record, willingness to do training and being able to drive to different locations, enjoying working with children and having experience with being around them.
The job description provided a salary range from $12 to $19 and the OP said they would expect $15, which is in the middle of the range
Image credits: scubasteve2242
The promised pay was between $12 and $19 and usually that means that it depends on the experience and qualifications a person has. As standard, a candidate is asked about their expected pay during an interview and scubasteve2242 chose to not ask too much as well as not to devalue themselves, so they thought asking for $15 would be reasonable, especially knowing that they met all the criteria that were listed in the job description.
That didn’t sit well with the interviewer, who proceeded to describe other job benefits to make the OP feel bad for asking so much
Image credits: scubasteve2242
The OP was lost for words as the request didn’t seem unreasonable, especially when they met all the requirements listed in the job description
Image credits: scubasteve2242
The OP didn’t expect the reaction they witnessed from the lady on the phone. She was disappointed that the redditor was asking so much and that the company was looking for an employee who wouldn’t work there for the money. Besides, the position they were offering was a long-term one with other benefits and possibilities for growth.
It all sounds nice, but as the OP pointed out, benefits don’t put food on the table and don’t cover car payments. The OP was also confused and didn’t even know what to answer to the interviewer as they couldn’t understand how an employer would expect a person to survive earning $12 per hour.
Image credits: scubasteve2242
The Redditor is not willing to deal with such a company and is not planning on continuing to talk to them
Image credits: scubasteve2242
The lady’s rant didn’t leave a good impression on the redditor, even though they seemed to be a good enough candidate for the company as the lady wanted to schedule another interview. The OP is not considering such a possibility and is thinking of telling the interviewer how ridiculous the company is being if she ever contacts them again.
People in the comments supported the OP and completely understood their point of view. Some shared their own experiences of not accepting offers that would pay less than they thought they were worth.
What do you take from the story? Do you think the OP was too greedy and should have tried to work for a bit and earn a promotion? Or do you think employers are not willing to take proper care of their employees and pay them an honest wage? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Other redditors sympathized with the OP and agreed that regular jobs just don’t pay enough to simply survive
123Kviews
Share on FacebookI wrote this on another post, but thought I'd share it again.--- I was once out of work (though doing some part time stuff) and had applied for a temporary position. In the interview I was asked to "Sum up your work ethic in one sentence". I replied "I'm prepared to work for money". The interviewer was a little taken aback, so he continued with "Why should we employ you?", and I countered with "You need somebody to do this job, I've already shown interest by coming for an interview, and I'm prepared to do it for the money you're offering". I not only got the job, but I was asked to extend several times until I was made permanent staff, and I remained there for five years until the company was absorbed by local government. I'm not sure why that seems to be such a difficult concept to understand for these businesses. Pay me enough money and I will literally shovel sh!t for you, but don't expect loyalty and devotion for the "privilege" of having a job.
It's good they appreciated honesty. Many a hypocrite would've gone meltdown.
Load More Replies...I had a manager terminate an interview because I asked what the pay scale was for the job. There was no information in the ad or the application, and she hadn't even mentioned it up to that point in the interview. So I asked. She wouldn't even give me a range, claimed she was new as a manager and wasn't sure. It had been a really positive interview up to that point. Then she got evasive, hung up, and I never heard from her again. And this is a major corporation with locations all across the US.
All depends on where you live. $15.00 is an unlivable wage in California, New York, London, etc., but it may work in areas where the cost of living is much, much lower.
Nope. If they put $12-$19 in the ad, then the pay range should be $12-$19, regardless of where you live.
Load More Replies...Makes me feel SO BLESSED - I thought I was being set up for my current job to make less than my then-current position, because multiple interviewers hyped up the benefits instead of putting me at ease that my salary expectations were within reason. I was prepared for a flat-out "nope" on their offer. Turns out, they more than exceeded my expectations, and the benefits are truly better than most. I'm so thankful I work for a company that actually pays my worth. I worked for too many companies in the past that were nowhere near market rate.
Priorities people geez. Show me the money first, then we talk about other stuff. Money is awesome, but work is hard, it can be considered. Money is shite and work is horrible? You can bet your momma's retirement funds I'll be looking elsewhere. It ain't rocket science.
I’ve been underemployed and unemployed during my 40 years in the workforce. Unless I was sitting in a big pot of money and had enough to pay my rent, food, etc., I’d take underemployment in a heartbeat. Unemployment is with you 24 hours per day in the form of worrying, making up excuses to bill collectors, etc. By a least getting some money every two weeks, I had the stamina & self esteem to look for something better. In fact one low level job I took to pay the rent morphed into an opportunity at another firm that paid more than I’d ever made in my life. Just my experience, take it or leave it.
Any job that focuses on arrest record and requires a degree only and not considering "OR equivalent experience" should be reported to the EEOC. As should requirement if background check and criminal records... Unless it is a BFOQ an Objective occupation qualification.. emphasis on objective. And there are many ignorant and uninformed HR , recruiters and managers who are not aware of the legal complications that can arise for requesting these and making them a necessity in the hiring process
If there is a range they pay based upon the experience and qualifications, and the duties if the job, not based upon what the employee thinks they are worth. Should I charge 500k more for my house because I think it is worth that? Or base it on market value? Experience and qualifications.. that is what we present as employees and the job duties are based upon market value
I'm well aware that English is not everyone's native tongue. I'm also not usually judgemental about a non-native English speaker's lack of grammar and writing skills ... unless that person calls themselves a writer. However ... Jurgita Dominauskaitė, if you are going to write for a website like Bored Panda, and call yourself a writer, LEARN HOW TO WRITE. Practice on friends, relatives, pen pals, etc. The writing in this article is atrocious. I was shocked at just how bad the writing is. Please, do not practice your amateur craft on these gentle readers. And don't give up your day job.
Some jobs should pay the federal minimum wage. They require no experience, education, skills, or previous demonstrations of work ethic. When employers begin requiring a college degree, they must understand that a younger employee is still paying for that degree. That means the compensation should be 1.5 to 2.0 times the minimum wage. Since some states and cities have minimum wages higher than the federal minimum wage, that means they need to pay the multiple of that localized wage. An 18-year-old high school grad with no prior job experience, with three kids, a new car payment, living in an upscale apartment complex with a gym and pool, and eating steak once per week does NOT deserve a multiple of the minimum wage. That person is living beyond their means. Maybe in a couple of years, if they stick with the same employer, their contribution to the company will be worth $15 per hour. A living wage does not mean paying enough to cover monthly Porsche and mortgage payments of $5K.
As much as I agree with the OP's sentiments and point of view, telling the woman off if she calls back is a foolish move. You never know what the future may hold and it might come back to you.
But that's how it works. In an interview, they are sizing you up. You're sizing them up. You negotiate a wage. If you're not willing to accept their offer, you move on. If they're not willing to meet your demand, they move on. That's how it has always worked. Your labor is your product. If they don't want your product at your asking price, they don't have to buy it.
There's really not enough information to form any type of opinion outside of speculation so, here I go... To me, there seems to be a lack of communication by the interviewer. 12 may have been the starting wage pending completion of training. If this were the case, as the interviewee I would have insisted that I see this in writing (the step increase system in place). That said, I do have a government job where this is set. My previous jobs in the private sector were always finicky. Some jobs, increases were based on merit, others favoritism and nepotism. Your mileage may vary.
Ummm… college education required and working with kids but only this pay range?? Nope
The part that worries me here is those companies will outsource to other countries. How do I know? Well the company I work for (major well known bank) has began to do just that. We were so desperate for workers they have began filling those positions with people from foreign countries. They ask for less pay and apparently are okay with being treated horribly by customers. Honestly I think this is a horrible idea and will cause more harm than good, but that’s corporate America for you. Let us keep demanding the pay we deserve and let it hurt the greedy CEO’s pockets who get paid millions of the minimum of work.
Companies in other countries cant understsnd either that living expenses has gone up with 1500% while their pay only has gone up with 2%..this is worldwide. So thier problem is the same in other countries. Noone can live for 15 dollers a hour anywhere in world. In denmark you need at least 20 dollars to just survive and still restaurant owners will only pay 11 dollars.( we dont have the system with tips to the waiter) and they STILL complaine they can not find workers....>.< the companies all over the world are in shock and cant grasp it is the workers market now, and not the companies market. In Denmark they would hire polish people to work for low pay, but now the polish earn enough in Polan, so they no longer travel to denmark to work. So now companies are forced to pay a livable pay.
Load More Replies...That's another way of telling us you're stupid and brainwashed
Load More Replies...I wrote this on another post, but thought I'd share it again.--- I was once out of work (though doing some part time stuff) and had applied for a temporary position. In the interview I was asked to "Sum up your work ethic in one sentence". I replied "I'm prepared to work for money". The interviewer was a little taken aback, so he continued with "Why should we employ you?", and I countered with "You need somebody to do this job, I've already shown interest by coming for an interview, and I'm prepared to do it for the money you're offering". I not only got the job, but I was asked to extend several times until I was made permanent staff, and I remained there for five years until the company was absorbed by local government. I'm not sure why that seems to be such a difficult concept to understand for these businesses. Pay me enough money and I will literally shovel sh!t for you, but don't expect loyalty and devotion for the "privilege" of having a job.
It's good they appreciated honesty. Many a hypocrite would've gone meltdown.
Load More Replies...I had a manager terminate an interview because I asked what the pay scale was for the job. There was no information in the ad or the application, and she hadn't even mentioned it up to that point in the interview. So I asked. She wouldn't even give me a range, claimed she was new as a manager and wasn't sure. It had been a really positive interview up to that point. Then she got evasive, hung up, and I never heard from her again. And this is a major corporation with locations all across the US.
All depends on where you live. $15.00 is an unlivable wage in California, New York, London, etc., but it may work in areas where the cost of living is much, much lower.
Nope. If they put $12-$19 in the ad, then the pay range should be $12-$19, regardless of where you live.
Load More Replies...Makes me feel SO BLESSED - I thought I was being set up for my current job to make less than my then-current position, because multiple interviewers hyped up the benefits instead of putting me at ease that my salary expectations were within reason. I was prepared for a flat-out "nope" on their offer. Turns out, they more than exceeded my expectations, and the benefits are truly better than most. I'm so thankful I work for a company that actually pays my worth. I worked for too many companies in the past that were nowhere near market rate.
Priorities people geez. Show me the money first, then we talk about other stuff. Money is awesome, but work is hard, it can be considered. Money is shite and work is horrible? You can bet your momma's retirement funds I'll be looking elsewhere. It ain't rocket science.
I’ve been underemployed and unemployed during my 40 years in the workforce. Unless I was sitting in a big pot of money and had enough to pay my rent, food, etc., I’d take underemployment in a heartbeat. Unemployment is with you 24 hours per day in the form of worrying, making up excuses to bill collectors, etc. By a least getting some money every two weeks, I had the stamina & self esteem to look for something better. In fact one low level job I took to pay the rent morphed into an opportunity at another firm that paid more than I’d ever made in my life. Just my experience, take it or leave it.
Any job that focuses on arrest record and requires a degree only and not considering "OR equivalent experience" should be reported to the EEOC. As should requirement if background check and criminal records... Unless it is a BFOQ an Objective occupation qualification.. emphasis on objective. And there are many ignorant and uninformed HR , recruiters and managers who are not aware of the legal complications that can arise for requesting these and making them a necessity in the hiring process
If there is a range they pay based upon the experience and qualifications, and the duties if the job, not based upon what the employee thinks they are worth. Should I charge 500k more for my house because I think it is worth that? Or base it on market value? Experience and qualifications.. that is what we present as employees and the job duties are based upon market value
I'm well aware that English is not everyone's native tongue. I'm also not usually judgemental about a non-native English speaker's lack of grammar and writing skills ... unless that person calls themselves a writer. However ... Jurgita Dominauskaitė, if you are going to write for a website like Bored Panda, and call yourself a writer, LEARN HOW TO WRITE. Practice on friends, relatives, pen pals, etc. The writing in this article is atrocious. I was shocked at just how bad the writing is. Please, do not practice your amateur craft on these gentle readers. And don't give up your day job.
Some jobs should pay the federal minimum wage. They require no experience, education, skills, or previous demonstrations of work ethic. When employers begin requiring a college degree, they must understand that a younger employee is still paying for that degree. That means the compensation should be 1.5 to 2.0 times the minimum wage. Since some states and cities have minimum wages higher than the federal minimum wage, that means they need to pay the multiple of that localized wage. An 18-year-old high school grad with no prior job experience, with three kids, a new car payment, living in an upscale apartment complex with a gym and pool, and eating steak once per week does NOT deserve a multiple of the minimum wage. That person is living beyond their means. Maybe in a couple of years, if they stick with the same employer, their contribution to the company will be worth $15 per hour. A living wage does not mean paying enough to cover monthly Porsche and mortgage payments of $5K.
As much as I agree with the OP's sentiments and point of view, telling the woman off if she calls back is a foolish move. You never know what the future may hold and it might come back to you.
But that's how it works. In an interview, they are sizing you up. You're sizing them up. You negotiate a wage. If you're not willing to accept their offer, you move on. If they're not willing to meet your demand, they move on. That's how it has always worked. Your labor is your product. If they don't want your product at your asking price, they don't have to buy it.
There's really not enough information to form any type of opinion outside of speculation so, here I go... To me, there seems to be a lack of communication by the interviewer. 12 may have been the starting wage pending completion of training. If this were the case, as the interviewee I would have insisted that I see this in writing (the step increase system in place). That said, I do have a government job where this is set. My previous jobs in the private sector were always finicky. Some jobs, increases were based on merit, others favoritism and nepotism. Your mileage may vary.
Ummm… college education required and working with kids but only this pay range?? Nope
The part that worries me here is those companies will outsource to other countries. How do I know? Well the company I work for (major well known bank) has began to do just that. We were so desperate for workers they have began filling those positions with people from foreign countries. They ask for less pay and apparently are okay with being treated horribly by customers. Honestly I think this is a horrible idea and will cause more harm than good, but that’s corporate America for you. Let us keep demanding the pay we deserve and let it hurt the greedy CEO’s pockets who get paid millions of the minimum of work.
Companies in other countries cant understsnd either that living expenses has gone up with 1500% while their pay only has gone up with 2%..this is worldwide. So thier problem is the same in other countries. Noone can live for 15 dollers a hour anywhere in world. In denmark you need at least 20 dollars to just survive and still restaurant owners will only pay 11 dollars.( we dont have the system with tips to the waiter) and they STILL complaine they can not find workers....>.< the companies all over the world are in shock and cant grasp it is the workers market now, and not the companies market. In Denmark they would hire polish people to work for low pay, but now the polish earn enough in Polan, so they no longer travel to denmark to work. So now companies are forced to pay a livable pay.
Load More Replies...That's another way of telling us you're stupid and brainwashed
Load More Replies...
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