This is my first ever industry job out of undergrad. I signed the offer letter for a full-time employee position last week, and I’m starting next week. It stipulated full benefits as well as a stock equity program. Today my new boss gave me a call and told me that I’d be starting off with a 2-3 month contractor position before being considered for full-time employee status. Pay is the same, but I’m not getting employee benefits anymore.

This seems really off-putting to me. I want this job — but I SIGNED a formal employee contract that stipulated these benefits, and now they are essentially walking them back. They have not offered a counter-contract that would nullify the first one. This is the US.

What do I do or say to keep this job and not just get fired?