Interesting Dliemma.....

TerminalB

Hey guys,

So I have an interesting one here - about eight months ago I left my old company for a new job. The decision was purely monetary at the time, as it provided nearly a 30% increase. Well fast-forward eight months and I've realized that I'm just not a fit for this new company (and the commute) and would like to go back to my old spot. So low and behold, I find a position, applied and was made an offer almost instantly.

The problem is, company policy dictates that any employee who returns must be slotted within a few percentage points of their previous salary, which is obviously a pretty big hit. Now I left the company in GREAT standing and they really want me back, so that policy is really the only obstacle here.

So my question is - I have a contact at the VP level who to put it mildly, was not pleased with HR for letting me go the first time. Would it be ok for me to reach out to him to see if he can maybe circumvent this policy at a higher level than I'm dealing with? I really would love to go back (even for somewhat of a pay cut), but I'd prefer not to have to start from scratch...

Thanks in advance

markulous

So why can't they hire you on at a different position (e.g. level 3 or senior etc) so they can meet your salary requirements? Sounds like a pretty crappy policy. If it's too big of a hit then I'd look for something else if they won't budge.

TheFORCE

I think you should not go back to get a paycut. There will be other opportunities out there that will hit your mark. Those policies are just bs, dont listen to them. It doesnt hurt to reach out to your friend though. You never know, they might be able to help. In the case they cannot and the paycut is huge i would look elsewhere.

On a side note, reading your post, it seemed like i had wrote it because I did the same thing. Not with my previous employer but for a new position. I did not make the move and still getting to know my new environment and getting some more projects now.

Hammer80

Unless you work in the government nothing is set in stone. It's amazing how many self imposed rules private companies are willing to bend if they really want something. Many times it's finding the right people for force the issue. So yea I would see if your former VP is able to push the issue. Another way around this might be for you to come back and work for 90 days at the crappy salary and then get a review which would allow the VP to give you the salary you deserve.

Caiyenne

I would definitely get the VP involved and try to negotiate for more salary. A compromise would be to start at the lower salary with a written agreement to have periodic increases at specific intervals (say every 3 to 6 months or so) until you get back to your desired salary range. I saw this happen at my company when a person with a low salary was promoted to a management position that was way above his current pay. Our salary increases by policy cant be more than 10%. So they gave him 10% increases every 3 months for a period of time to bring him up to the salary range of his new position.

TechGuru80

markulous wrote: »

So why can't they hire you on at a different position (e.g. level 3 or senior etc) so they can meet your salary requirements? Sounds like a pretty crappy policy. If it's too big of a hit then I'd look for something else if they won't budge.

This...policy can always be broken for the right candidate. Did you apply for the same level position as before? Companies usually try to bring on people at the same level as others or close to so they can avoid fighting amongst the department. Sell why you deserve more!

Remember "promises" mean nothing. The only thing that matters is what you have in hand day one. Although some companies do right by their employees, some companies are deceiving and eventually it comes back to hurt them.

OctalDump

That's a crazy policy. If they want you, they can pay for you.

Mosaic3

I would reach out to the VP, you really have nothing to lose since you already have a job. Worst case, he either says no or doesn't respond.

daschil

Use your contact. That policy is asinine.

TerminalB

Well, just to update - they came back and put a final offer on the table that is 10k more then the previous one. It still isn't what I'm making now, but it is MUCH closer. They also guaranteed at least one day a week work from home, which is a nice perk.

markulous

Sounds like a better deal. And since they did budge, whoever told you about that policy initially was full of it.