Confused. Offered a subject matter expert/consulting role for $15/hour!!

[Anonymous]

No it wasn't a typo. I am in healthcare management (non clinical) and was recently offered a sme opportunity with a healthcare consulting and training group for $15/hr. This is strictly a side gig 1099 thing. Just a few hours a week. They wanted my expertise on accreditation and best practices etc, write curriculum, training materials, review, advise etc. I already had spent a couple hours talking with them and I had met with several senior members of the team. Ceo, coo etc. Small company of less than a dozen people.

Completely shocked and confused and frankly little offended. This is the standard rate they offer all smes. This is a company asked here in the US midwest. I was expecting a range of 50-75/hr.

How do I even respond? Do I just ignore it? Do I write a snarky response? Or to save the embarrassment do I just gracefully decline and say I have other obligations and thanks for offer.

I'm so shocked I'm actually embarrassed for them too. It's so shocking it's unbelievable. Promise this is not an early April fools joke.

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much for the offer. Unfortunately I cannot accept an offer for under $75 an hour. Take care, Marlo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you very much for the offer. Unfortunately I cannot accept an offer for under $75 an hour. Take care, Marlo

This exactly

[Anonymous]

If you are interested in doing the work you can reply with your hourly rate. Just like every other self employed person. My 13 year old is up front with her babysitting rate. Take it or leave it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are interested in doing the work you can reply with your hourly rate. Just like every other self employed person. My 13 year old is up front with her babysitting rate. Take it or leave it.

And, ironically, her babysitting rate is $15/hr.

[Anonymous]

Yikes!! I agree it’s a little awkward when they are this low. I’d simply say,” I truly enjoyed meeting everyone and learning about this opportunity but unfortunately I must decline. “ period, and leave it there. It’s polite and doesn’t embarrass them. Then, if their management really cares, they can come back and ask you why, and then you can provide them further feedback if you want.

I think negotiating is pointless at this big a difference which is why I don’t recommend you bother with it.

[Anonymous]

It's absurd. You could counter by saying based on your experience and this being a contract position (so no benefit draw) you expect $55 per hour. Or you could politely decline and let them know your salary expectations/experience.
Been there I've been offered $20 an hour for healthcare policy consulting - really?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are interested in doing the work you can reply with your hourly rate. Just like every other self employed person. My 13 year old is up front with her babysitting rate. Take it or leave it.

And, ironically, her babysitting rate is $15/hr.

OP here. Yes it's crazy. My kids babysit at 15/hr. Just never imagined this in 2023. Maybe 1983.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are interested in doing the work you can reply with your hourly rate. Just like every other self employed person. My 13 year old is up front with her babysitting rate. Take it or leave it.

And, ironically, her babysitting rate is $15/hr.

For a 13 year old that's too high.

For an adult its barely minimum wage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's absurd. You could counter by saying based on your experience and this being a contract position (so no benefit draw) you expect $55 per hour. Or you could politely decline and let them know your salary expectations/experience.
Been there I've been offered $20 an hour for healthcare policy consulting - really?!

OP here. $20/hr is also ridiculous. Was it a small outfit that offered you this? Did you laugh or choke on your coffee? What did you say to them?

[Anonymous]

My teenagers make $25/hr

[Anonymous]

troll

[Anonymous]

Are you sure they said fifteen and not fifty?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you sure they said fifteen and not fifty?

Positive. I have the offer in writing too and confirmed it wasn't a typo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yikes!! I agree it’s a little awkward when they are this low. I’d simply say,” I truly enjoyed meeting everyone and learning about this opportunity but unfortunately I must decline. “ period, and leave it there. It’s polite and doesn’t embarrass them. Then, if their management really cares, they can come back and ask you why, and then you can provide them further feedback if you want.

I think negotiating is pointless at this big a difference which is why I don’t recommend you bother with it.

” I truly enjoyed meeting everyone and learning about this opportunity but unfortunately I must decline." Wording is good but definitely add "due to the compensation offered."