Definition: Given a real-life anecdote of a complex ethical situation, generate a suitable title that describes the main event/root cause of the situation. Imagine that the given text is a social media post, and you have to write the title of the post, so the users can decide to read the main text or not.
Input: This has been on my mind, and I need to hear the internet's judgement to see if I'm in the wrong.



I have been job hunting a lot. A few months back, against my better wishes, I gave my information to a recruiting agency. I'm not a fan of them, as you end up with a lot of "please pass this information along", but I figured the extra job opportunities couldn't hurt. They eventually found a company I thought I'd love.

Two phone interviews later, they want to see me in person. I'm ecstatic. I'd love to work for this company. My agency has sent me their health benefits earlier, though no other information. I ask what their PTO (paid time off) and 401k information is, and they give it to me after verifying it is accurate. At this point, I am going to meet in person, and note that their benefits aren't great. But I still have no clue what the pay is. I fly out to meet the company with a ticket paid by the potential employer and it seems promising. I think I'd be a great fit for their company.

I get the job offer. I am understandable on the pay; its good, and I am not against it. However I couldn't overlook the benefits. More expensive healthcare, a considerably smaller company match than my current 401k (match doesn't even start until after a year of employment), and a whole week less of PTO (two weeks less the first year of employment). I turn down the offer stating the reasons.



Time for my judgement. Note that I have only been in touch with the recruiter, as I have no contact information of the company. I tell the recruiter why I'm turning it down as stated above.

"[plasmafire117], let me ask you this... Why would you spend the company's money on flying you out there, and then turn it down, if the benefits were going to be the reason you rejected? You knew about them before going to see them."

I tell him I knew the benefits, sure, but he had only given me health. I had to ask for the other two (PTO\401k), and a that point plans had been made.

"But you never asked for those sooner."

I tell him that I had no way of knowing until an offer was put. I'd take lower benefits for higher pay, so I'd have taken it. But I know they are already offering me on the high end, and can't change benefits! How could I have known until an offer was made?

He continued to berate me for a bit on how I wasted his time and the company's money... slightly mad at how he responded, I told him to remove my information from his agency. I wanted nothing to do with them after that interaction. I then told him to have a nice day and hung up.



So... judge me. AITA for going on this trip and 'spending their money'? Am I in the wrong? I can't stop thinking about it. I feel bad sure, because I really felt this company would be great. But with a family and the benefits, I couldn't overlook how much less we would get. Should I have canceled the trip? Should I even be thinking about this so much?

turning down a job