'Let this be a learning experience': New hire quits on the spot after they get their first paycheck and discover it's 50% lower than manager promised on the job posting

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Aug 27, 2024 7:00 AM EDT

Colleges and universities should really offer students a course in job searching, because there are people out there who enter the real world with no idea what they should look for and how, and they end up making mistakes that could have been avoided.

After a few classes in resume writing and interviewing, one of the lessons in job searching should be about the process of accepting a job, and the terms that should always be written in the offer letter. For example, the pay – Never accept a job if the pay is not mentioned and written down in the contract. 

If the new hire in this Reddit story had this course in college, they might have been able to avoid this mistake they made. OP (original poster) started their job without having a proper conversation about their pay and relied on what the initial job posting had mentioned. They only realized their mistake when they got their first paycheck, but by that time, it was already too late to negotiate their position at the company.

Scroll down to read what they did next. After that, click here for a story about an entitled hotel guest who got what he had coming.

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  • 01
    COMPANY INC. CySCA Cheque No 12345 Send SAS TWOUNDRED AND FORTY SEVENUS DOLLARS Or Order
    via AndreyPopov

    Image/photo does not depict actual subjects of the story

  • 02
    Lied to about pay. Can I do anything?
    via honeypxl
  • 03
    So I recently started working with a package delivery company. In the listing pay said 1000-1400 per week. During my interview process they confirmed I would be making this much weekly.
    via honeypxl
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    When I started, the offer letter only included how much compensation is received per package, nothing additional added on top of that. I asked for
    via honeypxl
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    clarity before I signed and they told me I would receive more information on my first day. I did not, so I emailed payroll to see what additional pay was included. This email went unanswered.
    via honeypxl
  • 06
    Today I received my first paycheck, and after taxes it's just over $500. I've been trying to speak to a higher up about this and she said only the top delivery
    via honeypxl
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    drivers receive that rate which is why they "put more specific info" in my offer letter. I asked why I was told I specifically would receive 1000-1400 a week, and
    via honeypxl
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    why my offer letter didn't include the true pay rate. Since the pay was left vague in the offer letter, is there anything I can do about being lied to about the pay during the interview process?
    via honeypxl
  • 09
    honeypxl OP • 12h ago I'm 26 and have been working as a behavioral therapist but wasn't getting enough hours so I decided to move on from my previous career and made a foolish choice in what I chose to move on to
    via honeypxl
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    natewOw 2d ago Nope. Let this be a learning experience: never start a job until your pay has been formalized, fully understood, and agreed to IN WRITING by both parties. Never
    via natewOw
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    accept "there will be more information on your first day" as an acceptable response to an inquiry about your pay.
    via natewOw
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    Yes this company is for exploiting you, but ultimately this is on you for not getting more clarity on your pay in writing before starting.
    via natewOw
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    honeypxl OP • 2d ago I appreciate the response. I had a feeling since it was left vague in writing that there wouldn't be anything I can do about being lied to. At least I didn't waste too much time with them!
    via honeypxl
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    jane-generic 1d ago Edited 1d ago Continue to apply making to $500 in the meantime. Then quit no notice. F if you get an interview scheduled during your scheduled work hours, go to the interview instead I'm sure they worded it in a way that gets them out of any liability... That's how they roll
    via jane-generic
  • 15
    honeypxl OP • 12h ago That's pretty much exactly what I plan to do because I still need an income in the meantime before I get something solid
    via honeypxl
  • 16
    95 Dioscouri 2d ago When someone tells you that the answer will be provided later, you now know that they are saying that because they're lying. Consider this an educational experience and continue on your way.
    via Dioscouri
  • 17
    Brusanan 2d ago You quit without warning. Just no-call no- show.
    via Brusanan
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    SkullLeader 2d ago Yeah, this is a hard learning experience. Offer letter doesn't spell out your salary / hourly rate or other pay structure precisely? Do not sign it under any circumstances. Move on to other opportunities. They bait and switched. you.
    via SkullLeader
  • 19
    PlusDescription1422 • 2d ago You can claim unemployment or talk to DOL this is theft
    via PlusDescription1422
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    sendmeadoggo • 2d ago Possibly depending on how vague the offer letter was, and how much the pay was reenforced the issue is proving any of it. You can call around to various attorneys in your area but it may be a tough sell.
    via sendmeadoggo
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    dudreddit • 1d ago OP, the stated pay rate of $1000 - $1400 per week is a mirage. If ANYONE could make that, delivering packages ... well, you get the picture.
    via dudreddit
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    rebeldogman2 • 1d ago Lie to them about working for them and quit
    via rebeldogman2
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    substandardhelp • 2d ago What is the gross pay on pay stub? What I mean is what is the pay before taxes, benefits etc are taken out?
    via substandardhelp
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    honeypxl OP.2d ago The weird thing is I got the payment this morning but ADP isn't showing the stub yet. But with the net pay being about $517 the gross is definitely lower than the minimum of the range I was given
    via honeypxl
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    Puzzleheaded_Let_688 • 2d ago I don't think I am You said your offer letter doesn't show your rate of pay. It does. You're on piece work. You have a contract based on an offer letter. The answer to your question is in your
    via Puzzleheaded_Let_688
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    question. Nobody is going to just hand you an extra fifty grand a year because you say the interviewer told you something different.
    via Puzzleheaded_Let_688
  • 27
    honeypxl OP.2d ago I'm not asking for more money. Someone else had asked if it was reportable as false advertising. I'm just asking if there are any steps that can be done, man. Also, I said it doesn't show the full pay. Because it doesn't. It only shows a
    via honeypxl
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    range per package. It doesn't show my hourly or any bonuses. When finally speaking to someone today I was told these are things that exist but are not placed in the offer letter.
    via honeypxl
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    substandardhelp • 2d ago Is the job paid weekly? You should also check what days you were paid for maybe then have a weird cutoff? Like this was 4 days out of 5 paid.
    via substandardhelp
  • 30
    honeypxl OP.2d ago It is paid weekly, yeah. They said the pay period is Saturday-Friday and then you get paid on the following Monday so I was surprised to get my paycheck early this morning
    via honeypxl
  • 31
    hone... OP 12h ago • Edited 12h ago I got a lot more comments than expected and can't reply to them all but to answer some things: The gross pay was $575, net pay was $514 (I accidentally said net was $517 at one point but close enough)
    via honeypxl
  • 32
    I'm an adult and have always worked in the medical/healthcare field and had straightforward pay and yes I'm aware I was naive and foolish in my choices I do intend to quit with no notice once I find a solid job because I still need pay in the meantime to live and whatnot
    via honeypxl
  • 33
    I might look into the whole false advertising thing that a few people brought up but considering the vague offer letter I doubt it will go anywhere I appreciate the responses and will get around to reading them all soon!
    via honeypxl

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employee boss job company money manager Reddit workplace paycheck quitting reddit story new hire workplace-stories tales-from-the-workplace
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