Facing a Lower Bonus After Resigning: What Can I Do About This Offer Letter Mix-Up?

Hi!

I received an email offer letter stating a bonus amount for joining within a certain date. I sent an email accepting the offer and resigned from my current job. In the hard copy of the offer letter that was sent to me, a different amount is now being stated. When I got in touch with the HR, they said there was a typo in the original offer and apologized for it. Now I am in a bind as I have already resigned from my current job, and there is a substantial difference in the offers. What are my options? Can anybody guide me? Has this happened to anybody else?

Thanks, Aremmi

Hi Aremmi,

You can't help if the HR professionals who should act with more responsibility and accountability are in this kind of state. It is truly a pity. They cannot simply wash their hands of the situation by offering some trivial excuse. You need not remain silent; you can always bring this oversight to the attention of someone in a higher position within the organization and request them to rectify the salary structure accordingly. It is the complete responsibility of the HR department to double-check the terms of the offer before presenting it to the candidate. Due to their ignorance and careless attitude, how can you be made a scapegoat and lose something that was promised to you in the offer letter? Please do not allow this to happen and act wisely so that they do not repeat such shameful incidents in the future. Teach them a lesson in a manner that will prevent them from being so careless in preparing offer letters for other candidates.

Regards,
PRADEEP

Hi,

You need not worry or even get worked up. All you have to do is inform them that they promised you an amount in the offer - and whether it was a typo on their part or whatever, they have to pay it to you now. Also, tell them that if you fabricated experience on your resume, would you be allowed to say, "sorry, by mistake, someone else's experience got copied"? In the same way, just tell them that whatever it was, it's their problem. Give them a deadline to get back to you (max 2 days) and keep your eyes open for other opportunities - as we may not like it, but it's not worth taking them to court over it. Also, ask yourself whether you really want to work for a company that does this? If they are so callous before you join, imagine what they can do after you join.

Hi Aremmi,

It is really a sorry state of affairs - the HR guys saying sorry in simple words. I would suggest you to please take it up with the management of the company, stressing that with the bonus you received, you had relieved yourself from the previous employer, and you are entitled to the bonus amount. If necessary, let the HR guy take responsibility and reimburse the company.

One word of caution - please do not antagonize the HR team too much, as you will need to maintain a relationship with them.

Handle the case carefully. Also, as rightly pointed out by other members, please consider continuing your service with the same company. Keep looking out for better opportunities and switch if you decide not to remain with your current employer.

Regards,
Dhinakaran

Dear Aremmi,

If the revised offer is not acceptable to you, then send them an email saying that you are not interested in joining and explain your concerns.

Do not let it end there. I would suggest you escalate the matter, even if you are not joining, to all the concerned persons in the management of that company. Please communicate with the CEO as well.

Secondly, if you have resigned but have not been released, you can retract your resignation to ensure the safety of your current job. You may not need to reveal why you are taking back the resignation, but discuss and convince your boss that you have reconsidered and wish to stay.

Regards,
SKP

So that others can avoid such companies. Careers can be ruined because of this attitude of the HR.