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Topic: ExPat Pay Packages  (Read 2483 times)

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ExPat Pay Packages
« on: March 17, 2005, 08:07:37 PM »
I will be moving to the UK from NY in late July. I will be the first from my company to go overseas for an extended period of time, about 8 months. I have a meeting on Monday with HR and would like to be prepared as regards to how I should be remunerated as well as housing allowance, trips back home, and cost of living adjustments. If any one has any benchmarks, ballpark figures, or a web site that could he me prepare I would be grateful.


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Re: ExPat Pay Packages
« Reply #1 on: March 17, 2005, 08:55:16 PM »
Hi there. :) I'm not sure I can answer your question, but I'm sure there will be others who can. What area are you moving to, what will your job be, and will you be moving alone or with family? That might help get the ball rolling. :)
I'm done moving. Unrepatriated back to the UK, here for good!

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Re: ExPat Pay Packages
« Reply #2 on: March 17, 2005, 09:16:03 PM »
I moved over to work at an American school in London...we don't get money for housing...but we did get a certain amount for moving over, the ability to get a loan (1 yr) and we get a trip home every two years.  Not sure if that would help at all...

definitely would need to know more specifics as Marlespo stated...then we can help a bit more.


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Re: ExPat Pay Packages
« Reply #3 on: March 18, 2005, 10:43:35 AM »
IME, it really depends on what your company is willing to pay.  8 months doesn't seem long enough to require a trip back 'home' but hey, if your company wants to pay, great! :)  My DH's contract gives us £12k to move back to the States (or elsewhere) but that move would have to be approved/justified.  But that's a figure at least that might help.

We were compensated for our move including shipping our house, flights, necessary purchases (all new appliances), hired furniture/linens, mattresses, etc.  We were not compensated for things like council tax, tv license, buying a new car, or the cost of selling our US home and vehicles.  We do not receive a housing stipend, it just comes from my DH's salary which he thankfully got a great one in £.

If I can encourage anything, it would be for you to be paid in £, not USD.  The exchange rate is a killer, and most likely the cost of living will be higher for you compared with the US.

We also negotiated a line item to pay for a UK tax consultant.  And one trip per calendar year (to US including Hawaii) but we haven't used that so we just roll the money into the next year.

The other thing I find helpful is some kind of clause in the contract where you will be given say, two months notice, if the contract will be terminated early.  Like I said, 8 months is a relatively short period of time so probably you won't need that protection but if you are staying for an extended period of time, those sorts of things are a good idea in the contract.


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Re: ExPat Pay Packages
« Reply #4 on: March 18, 2005, 11:24:37 AM »
Sorry, forgot to mention for the figures I listed, we're a family of four.  Sounds like you will move solo, so adjust accordingly. 

My DH's contract also included the cost for a relocation consultant.  I cannot communicate strongly enough how much the consultant helped our move.  Getting the BT lines set up ahead of time was critical as my DH needed to work straight away and the home was old and had to be config'd for phone, internet, etc.  They also coordinated the shipment of our US home, set up our hired furniture, had gas turned on, gave us all the schools in the area, hospital, surgery.  Not that we couldn't have rec'd that info from Children's Information Service but it was just easier to have it from the get go. 

We communicated daily with the relocation consultants weeks prior to our move, it's amazing how many little things come up with a move and they could answer our questions.  So I didn't have to get on a message board with my 20 questions! ;D 

The only thing that was exclusively our own was the work permit and residence permit work.  But that was easy enough to obtain.

Edited to add:  Do get paid in £!!  Re'd our beloved council tax for the year and it's £2200 which just sucks so much.  Nothing like the property tax from the US residence.  It really helps to have a salary in the £.

Good luck!!
« Last Edit: March 18, 2005, 07:58:12 PM by muse »


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Re: ExPat Pay Packages
« Reply #5 on: March 21, 2005, 12:09:33 AM »
Thanks very much for the input. I am single and work will pick up the housing. I only have to bring my clothes. Pay is the biggest issue, but I was thinking a trip back every 3 to 4 months is this too bold? Do you have a name of any relocation consultants?

Thanks

Steve


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Re: ExPat Pay Packages
« Reply #6 on: March 23, 2005, 08:19:16 PM »
Most people get once a year back to home, so yes, it is QUITE bold.  I know I posted someone who is a good relocation agent - she grew up in London but has American parents and works with many American families...if you do a search on here you might find the info I posted (I'm away so my computer time is limited right now)....her name is Stephanie Gladis.


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Re: ExPat Pay Packages
« Reply #7 on: March 23, 2005, 09:20:55 PM »
Do you have a name of any relocation consultants?

We used Key Relocations.  www.keyrelocations.com.   They were stellar!

Do you really want to go back to the US every three or four months?  If pay is the big issue in negotiating your expat pay package, you might not want to include two trips in 8 months.  That would eat up a lot of money quickly.  Everyone is different, I never want to go to the US again! ;)  And haven't for almost two years now since relocating.  Just zero desire.

Good luck to you, again.


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Re: ExPat Pay Packages
« Reply #8 on: March 24, 2005, 11:45:14 AM »
If I can encourage anything, it would be for you to be paid in £, not USD.  The exchange rate is a killer, and most likely the cost of living will be higher for you compared with the US.

I agree, if your company pays you in USD i would expect substancial benifits, If you get paid in £ it will be easier overall AND if you have some left over every month you can transfer it back home to the US and the exchange rate then works in your favour and you will very quickly save a large amount of USD :).

Steve


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