<prompt> Human: Three months ago I was laid off as part of a 60 person lay off in a small company of 125 people. I do Occupational Health and Safety work as I was the Manager. I was given unemployment; been searching for jobs.Fast forward 3 months, tax bill passed, etc. I get a phone call from the president of the company asking me to come in because he has an opportunity. He tells me things are picking back up and the company needs me back but hes trying to shop me at a discounted rate.I had been with the company 6 years and he says he wants to give me 20 hours at 60 of what I was making to do consulting work for 4 months until my lease is up. This seems like a super low ball offer especially because they dont have to train anyone, I already know all of the employees, I am familiar with their policies as I wrote many of them. Also after 4 months I cant get back on unemployment and having taken such a drastic pay cut I wouldnt be very well equipped to ask for more money in the future.I feel like this is a slap in the face and I want to counter offer their 60 slap with a 125 slap back.Does this seem unreasonable?? Just seeking some guidance. Thanks yall!Update: I weighed in at 250. Havent received any response its been a couple of hours since I sent my proposal. I had to run the numbers several times. My head hurt.Update: Its been a week and havent received a response. Assistant: Thanks for the input everybody. Def didnt know about the self-employment tax. After doing the math I definitely need 150 minimum at 20 hours and 200 after 20 hours. I also considered offering to come back full time at 15 pay increase and 3 weeks vacation.Writing up a letter now.  <response>: Your counter offer is perfectly reasonable but its not worth making. I think there are two options as to why he made this offer:1. He has work for you that is getting billed out at a very discounted rate so what hes saying, Ive got some work for you if you want it, but it doesnt pay well and I dont have much of it. If this is the case, hes just going to turn down your counter offer and probably think youre an asshole. 2. If he accepts your counter offer, that means he was really trying to screw you over, a former employee that he just laid off. If that is the case, do you really want to work for him? Your time would be better spent trying to find a job working for someone who isnt an asshole.Most of the responses Ive read seem to indicate people automatically assume that this guy is trying to screw you over. I think the first option above is more likely. 