I’m not sure how to take this action. On one hand everything you see says to negotiate beforehand and also sets the base higher (for which COLA increases has a grater margin as well) and they are showing assertiveness (which should be a good thing). However the other side of the coin is the negative tone and fiscal impact. You really have no way of knowing how the employee will work out and if they are just chasing dollars they won’t last long no matter what you do. Not sure if that helped just my thoughts. I only once negotiated prior to accepting and that was because it was an interm position that was seriously undervalued compared to what my former boss was paid.I think my question was more geared towards negotiating a contract before signing @BonScot.
The situation would be something like this....As an unemployed applicant you're considering jobs at two separate employers (same area, same cost of living, same benefits). Both have offered contracts, but you haven't accepted anything. You like job X more than job Y (for whatever non-tangible reason), but it pays 15% less.
Does the fact that you do not yet have an employee-employer relationship at this time impact your willingness to use leverage?