The interview went amazingly well and we were both excited to be making a move to a position with more challenges and closer to home. A week went by and they asked for references. Then another week went by and she called her references to see if DC&S had contact them. They had and were giddy that offer might be coming up soon.
We waited another THREE WEEKS before an offer EMAIL came in. Now, DC&S knew how much Lauri was making before she even interviewed. She checked with human resources to make sure the interview wasn't a waste of either of their time. The offer email came in a full $5,000 less than she was making. If the firm hadn't known what Lauri's current salary was, this would have been just a minor slip rather than the slap in the face it actually was. To be low balled like that really hurt her. Next came the fumble with the rest of offer.
$5k less wasn't necessarily a deal breaker if they could make up for it in other benefits. The offer email didn't explain out of pocket health expenses or any other fringe benefits that typically come with an offer. Lauri wrote back (within a day) to ask about what else might come with the job. Vagueness. Total and complete obscurity. Written back was a dance around the potential for a 401(k) though no guarantees, some sort of health plan though details were scant. No mention of dental, vision, time to be vested in their fake 401(k), vacation time or ANY other benefit that would rationalize a substantial drop in pay.
Enter a little more spice: during the three weeks that it took DC&S to write an offer email, Lauri was offered a promotion at her current job. This indeed offered her the challenges she was looking for and bumped her pay. This is why I'm most proud of my wife. She started negotiating like I've only seen her do at home. She fired back the insulting pay with vague benefits in a completely professional matter. So professional in fact, that she was actually still considering taking the job. She also mentioned that the market value for the job offered was higher and she had just received a promotion at her current job.
Now for the truly unprofessional. We waited a week and heard nothing. Then I think she called and didn't hear anything. Then we waited another week and another until a month went by. We had actually given up after about a week and then received an email this morning explaining that they were not able to offer to meet her salary requirements. It was ironic that by dragging their feet, they let her current employer up the ante with a promotion.
Not that they even tried. What really bakes the noodle is that they knew her salary going into this whole negotiation and the HR department said her present salary was within the range their position offered. I expect very little from attorneys. Honestly. I know a few I really admire and truly bring a lot of class to the profession. DC&S is a firm that has hired a zoo full monkeys and doesn't have a shred of credibility to stand on.
The good that came out of all this though is a newfound respect for my wife. It took a lot of guts and character to negotiate with that firm before the deal soured. It looked like it was going to be a good move for her and we were both excited. Watch out America, Lauri is getting thicker skin and more self respect.
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