Two final offers?

[GinjaNinja]

Heya guys,

I have two final offers from two different departments. One problem though, the one that I want to go with Starts at a much lower pay rate ($10) Is it acceptable to ask for more starting from my preferred department like I normally would for a private-sector job? Or is that a no go and would look bad?

Thanks

[jnhdrac]

Whether that is $10 an hour or $10 less per hour, both should be a red flag. Unless you are willing to be paid dramatically less, take the better paying job. You can ask for more money, and will likely be told no. Even if they agree to pay you more, it is very unlikely to make up the difference.

If you are willing to live with the pay gap, choose whichever job you prefer. That pay difference is substantial. Do not expect an agency to pay you more than a coworker with similar qualifications. Be prepared to live with the lower pay for a long, long time.

[9L81]

I suppose it depends on the real difference and the percent of pay. If one pays $50/hr and the other is $60/hr that isn't much of a deal but one paying 20 vs 10 is much more an issue. I don't worry to much about pay. I'd rather be happy. That and at the end of the day the total comp and retirement matters just as much as the pay. $10/hr less sounds like a lot in some instances but does it get closer to even when considering retirement and total comp? Maybe the better pay goes along with paying all your costs toward retirement? If so that $10 meaningless. You need to get into the details to make an informed decision.

[Winter_Patriot]

I have had a similar choice to make twice. Both times, I went with the higher pay and regretted the decision. But it was also the difference between being miserable and higher paid, or content and less paid.

[BNWS]

That's a big difference in pay. I worked for an agency that paid substantially less then every surrounding department. Still does. The low pay meant I needed to do overtime and second jobs to compensate. It effected other aspects of my life. From housing, cars, vacations, time with the kids. Morale at work sucked. Money isn't everything but not having it sucks. It took twenty years to get good raises and we still fell far short in our area. I would take more money and see for myself how bad the well paying job is.

[GinjaNinja]

One is $29/hr the other is $39/hr… the one department has a better work schedule, and better almost everything else except the pay… but they top out at more then the other department so it’s confusing.

Department A starts at $29 and tops out at $49 after 15 years. (Doesn’t include time of service pay or specialist pay)

Department B: starts at $39/hr but only tops out at $46/hr.

Just a super hard choice that I’m trying to get some help making

[L-1]

The pay in most government agencies is usually established through collective bargaining by the union. Once the contract is signed, it is then codified by the local governing body and there is no further negotiating on wages until the next contract. Any request for more money by an individual employee will be snickered at.

[CCCSD]

Heya guys,

I have two final offers from two different departments. One problem though, the one that I want to go with Starts at a much lower pay rate ($10) Is it acceptable to ask for more starting from my preferred department like I normally would for a private-sector job? Or is that a no go and would look bad?

Thanks

So you should be given more money than those who are actually doing the job…

Go home kid.

[GinjaNinja]

Did I ever say that? No, I didn't. Go home boomer.

[CCCSD]

Keep licking windows kid. You’ll never be in…always out.

That Entitled comment regarding those older than you is typical of the lack of maturity found in your level of society.

You can go now. I’m done with you.

[NolaT]

Be sure to review and consider the Complete pay package; insurance, retirement, take home car, off duty work availablity, overtime, etc. $10.00 per hour is big difference if all else is comparable. I'm

[jnhdrac]

As was mentioned, look at the total package. That additional information is significant. Higher top pay is very relevant.

How long does it take to break even?

If department a gets to top pay quickly, that also is a factor. You could spend more years at top pay even if top.pay was lower, thereby making more money.

What is the process to get to top pay? Is achieving top pay pretty much guaranteed, or is that ththeoretically allowed pay but nobody actually earns that pay?

You need to look at the total package with both agencies and decide.

[az109er]

So you should be given more money than those who are actually doing the job…

Go home kid.

That’s the normal pay rate in the PNW CCCSD, not sure where you work. Unfortunately we deal with a rough climate.

[Sheepdog13]

Is it acceptable to ask for more starting from my preferred department like I normally would for a private-sector job? Or is that a no go and would look bad?

Thanks

No, and Yes. As stated above, the salary schedule has already been negotiated by the union and city. If you ask, they'll say no, and then you'll be "that guy". Look at the whole package, as well as the cost of living in each area.

[Aidokea]

Heya guys,

I have two final offers from two different departments. One problem though, the one that I want to go with Starts at a much lower pay rate ($10) Is it acceptable to ask for more starting from my preferred department like I normally would for a private-sector job? Or is that a no go and would look bad?

Thanks

Is one of those departments the Portland Police Bureau? That's where I started my law enforcement career 30 years ago.

And after retiring, I was recruited to provide armed plainclothes protective services for the television news crews covering the riots in downtown Portland, so I still know some officers there.

There is not enough money in the world, for Portland to make sense.

[GinjaNinja]

Is one of those departments the Portland Police Bureau? That's where I started my law enforcement career 30 years ago.

And after retiring, I was recruited to provide armed plainclothes protective services for the television news crews covering the riots in downtown Portland, so I still know some officers there.

There is not enough money in the world, for Portland to make sense.

Good lord no it's not Portland! I pulled myself out of their hiring process when the riots got really bad.