Finally the time came, and they said 34/h. (I’m a tradie in Australia, with this being a low-end-offer even for full-time) so I said “I’ll have to think about it.” When I sat for interview with the actual employer, they asked if the rate offered was sufficient. I said “34 and hour casual is gonna be tight, not gonna lie, but I’ll play along for now, because I need to get out of fifo mining, as my wife is immunocompromised and needs me closer.” My company interviewers looked each other in the eye, and then said I could head out. Later that afternoon I received a nervous call from the agency. “Uhhhh… That was our low rate, just to gauge your expectations. We’ll be paying you $45/h. But… by the way, it’s actually not okay for you to discuss what we pay you with your employer… just for future reference.” Well, I dunno about that, champ. Clearly you’re the sketchy beggar in this situation. You can swing your tiny, false phallus of authority around all you want. But you should know, I’ll be putting it to the test