Job candidate catches employer's attempt to lowball her by accidental email CC

In an era where job seekers are encouraged to know their worth, one IT worker's experience served as a cautionary tale and a source of amusement for thousands. Reddit user u/Komeandgo posted about her encounter with a potential employer who mistakenly CC'd her in an internal email discussing a lower salary offer than she had requested. The thread, shared on r/antiwork, quickly garnered over 60,000 upvotes and more than 3,000 comments, resonating with many who have faced similar situations.

The candidate detailed her interview process, which initially seemed promising. She had interviewed with two system administrators and an IT director, and had clearly stated her minimum salary requirement of $60,000. However, she was shocked to receive an email intended for internal staff, where the IT director suggested she might accept $53,000 because of her location. The email stated, "I think she would accept 53k. She has committed to a second interview with you. I am sending over her resume."

This accidental inclusion revealed the company's intention to undercut her requested salary. Despite the blunder, she attended the second interview, confronting the team about the email. She told them, "I feel they wouldn’t have my best interest at heart if they’re already undervaluing me and that I didn’t want to continue forward with a team that’s likely to stab me in the back." The HR department tried to smooth things over, but the candidate decided to decline the job offer, finding a better opportunity elsewhere with a salary exceeding her original minimum.

The Reddit community reacted strongly to the post, with many sharing their own experiences and opinions on the situation. User Dismal-Radish-7520 asked, "Oh wow—did this get sent to you accidentally?" to which Komeandgo replied, "I was accidentally cc’d in the email, which is hilarious since it was for an IT role."

User bigmacjames criticized the offer, stating, "Less than 60k for an IT role is worse than starting salary for entry-level positions. You're worth more." Echoing this sentiment, DaFyre2010 suggested a bold response: "Reply Back: She will not accept anything less than $60k."

The thread also included a range of humorous comments. IronManTim quipped, "... and I will replace the guy who doesn't know what the CC field means," highlighting the irony of the mistake in a tech-related job. Moonrajah added, "If you want to be reaaaaaally sassy make it 69k," with BoomShackaLocka_ chiming in, "$69,420 to be exact."

The post spurred broader discussions on salary negotiations and workplace transparency. Olivineyes reminded fellow Redditors, "Even a $2,000 difference is about $80 per paycheck. Know your worth and don't settle for less!" Meanwhile, jm1186 shared a personal anecdote: "When we were discussing salary, he offered me less than I previously aforementioned on the phone. I asked to use the bathroom and just walked out. I wonder how long he stayed there waiting until he realized I wasn't coming back."

Ultimately, Komeandgo's story serves as a reminder to all job seekers to remain vigilant and assertive in salary negotiations. It also highlights the importance of transparency and respect in the hiring process. The outpouring of support and shared experiences from the Reddit community underscores a collective understanding of the value of fair treatment and clear communication in the workplace.

This article was originally published on August 8, 2024. It has since been updated.