I'm scheduled to start a new job in education (non-teaching role) next week.

14 Comments

1. AnonymousOctober 29,2022 at 12:18PM UTC

   I would not start work unless the salary offer is clear. I once took a position where the salary was not indicated in advance, I did not get paid for two months. The final offer was low, but I was able to negotiate a little higher. Companies in any sector need to disclose salary before a position is offered.

2. AnonymousOctober 29,2022 at 12:32PM UTC

   NO! HUGE red flag. You will be exploited further by taking this role.

3. Alexis GladstoneOctober 29,2022 at 12:42PM UTC

   Absolutely no! The best rule of thumb is to get an offer in writing before you start, including salary and any other things you negotiated (PTO time, start date). This way you have something in writing if you find your pay is not what was discussed.

4. Julie LawOctober 29,2022 at 1:00PM UTC

   Definitely reach out again to get the details of that position in writing before you show up.

5. AnonymousOctober 29,2022 at 2:46PM UTC

   Ask them for the letter and tell them you will not begin work without it. This letter is written proof of what you will be paid as you earnings while on the job.

6. Rachel Maneval RodeOctober 29,2022 at 3:20PM UTC

   I’ve been in education the past five years in administrative assistance, part of that time in personnel. What they are saying is true, but it could be handled differently. The school board must approve all hiring, firing and salaries. That said, a tentative salary and job description should be known up front. Our school board almost never disagrees with the superintendent’s and directors’ recommendations, so we don’t have any problems with offering a verbal agreement. But that is just how are district works.

   Is your position a directorship? Administrative Assistant? School building secretary? Is there a collective bargaining agreement that they have to adhere to? There are a lot of things we don’t know about your situation that could affect the salary and the way it is determined.

   If you don’t even have a tentative salary, that is very unusual. If you have a verbal understanding of what your salary will be, then you should be able to expect that from the board.

   Bottom line, if you are hesitant, reach out to your contact in HR and express your concern. They may be able to either change your start date to follow the board meeting so you know what your salary will be, without question, or give you a tentative written offer, pending board approval. If the board does not approve the salary you were told, there is no recourse against you if you choose to leave that position.

   School districts operate very differently than private companies, and every school district is different from the rest. If this is your first experience working in education, you will need an open mind and a good mentor to guide you through the transition. I’m not saying it’s bad. It’s just different than you may be used to. Ask questions. Be open with your concerns. Any HR person worth their salt will listen and understand and work with you.

7. AnonymousOctober 29,2022 at 4:26PM UTC

   Thank you. Not my 1st time in education, but first time the salary has been unclear. Also met with HR to do paperwork. She also said the salary has not been approved yet. I asked HR for a written offer letter and she said they don't typically issue those and she would have to get permission from the Business Admin Director. That was a first for me.

   The current salary schedule is public info so I saw the 6 salary amount steps for my Admin Asst position. I don't know which step my Admin Asst position would fall under. A revised salary contract is what's going through the approval process now.

   I would definitely want to negotiate salary if my position fell under Step 1. Without having that knowledge, I would be giving up my negotiation power.

   I'm inclined to go back to HR and ask her to get permission to give me a tentative written offer letter.

   Your input is very much appreciated!

8. Sarah GlassOctober 30,2022 at 12:12PM UTC

   I agree with what Rachel said.
   I’ve served on a school board and assuming this is a public school, they board holds the budget (the three jobs of the school board are— set the budget, hire the superintendent, set policy).

   It’s already October. School budget was set back at the end of last year, so if this is a new hire, for an unplanned position, the super has had to find the money in the budget for it (ie. What line is this coming out of). This has probably already happened or they wouldn’t advertise the position. The fine details may just be from the fact that the school board hasn’t met to approve the details yet. However there should be a range that they are expecting. Asking for details about the timeline is NOT unreasonable (or look at the school districts website for when the next meeting is, all agendas are public record, so you should be able to find that too. You might even be able to find the posted minutes where the position, especially if it’s a new position, might be discussed). I’d do a bit more homework before you panic that you are getting screwed. Much more likely that things are just moving slowly because everything must be done in a particular way. Note: if they are actually discussing YOU specifically (rather than just generically about the position) for the hire that will be in a non-public session. You would still be able to glean that information from the public minutes because those would note something like “non-public session to discuss employment contract subject to code/law/policy blah blah”.

9. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 12:35PM UTC

   Thank you, Sarah.

   I would actually be replacing the Admin Asst who has, I've been told, accepted another position after a lengthy time in this role.

   The salary has been a mysterious subject matter since my initial contact with the hiring manager as was the claim by HR that they don't "do written offer letters without permission from the Business Admin office." This is a first for me.

10. AnonymousOctober 30,2022 at 2:35PM UTC

    I agree with everyone else. I work as a sub and I don’t show up unless I have a job confirmation # in hand. This guarantees I’ll get paid. Without it, you’re basically working for free. And as much as I love the kids, I don’t work for free!

11. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 2:32PM UTC

    I feel like this exact same question just came up a month or two ago. All well and good, except I would hope there are not multiple people out there accepting a position without knowing the salary.

12. AnonymousOctober 31,2022 at 8:27PM UTC

    No, I would not start without salary in written form.

13. Talks with NaomiNovember 2,2022 at 3:18AM UTC

    What job role is it?

14. AnonymousNovember 2,2022 at 12:04PM UTC

    Administrative Assistant.