Extended Stay Business Trip (Relocation) Negotiations

[J.Apple902]

Hey all,

My Chicago company just tells me they want me to live and work out of the Vancouver office for 8 months. It's very urgent so I'd be going next week til April 1. The arrangement offer they have given me is not acceptable. I would like advice on what to fight for, etc.

The offer:

-No change in wages or salary however Vancouver has higher cost of living (is there a cost of living comparison tool that SA recommends?)
-They want me to find a sublettor for my existing lease. They would pay for the first 2 months of rent there, and expect me to pick up the rest of the stay. I would not pay more than I pay now, the company would supplement the difference.
-A single flight while I am there, this would be Xmas.

And that's it. I'm not very happy about their intro offer. Let me know what is competitive and things like that if you can. Any tips are appreciated. Thanks!

[riverwed070707]

Hey all,

My Chicago company just tells me they want me to live and work out of the Vancouver office for 8 months. It's very urgent so I'd be going next week til April 1. The arrangement offer they have given me is not acceptable. I would like advice on what to fight for, etc.

The offer:

-No change in wages or salary however Vancouver has higher cost of living (is there a cost of living comparison tool that SA recommends?)
-They want me to find a sublettor for my existing lease. They would pay for the first 2 months of rent there, and expect me to pick up the rest of the stay. I would not pay more than I pay now, the company would supplement the difference.
-A single flight while I am there, this would be Xmas.

And that's it. I'm not very happy about their intro offer. Let me know what is competitive and things like that if you can. Any tips are appreciated. Thanks!

Given this offer, I fail to see what the advantage is to you. I presume you have the option to say no? If they don't give you some sort of incentive, why would you choose to spend 8 months away from your home and family?

[bjl584]

Would your job be in jeopardy if you simply said "No"?

This offer sounds one sided and will put you at quite a disadvantage.

[disneysteve]

If they don't give you some sort of incentive, why would you choose to spend 8 months away from your home and family?

Would your job be in jeopardy if you simply said "No"?

This offer sounds one sided and will put you at quite a disadvantage.

I agree. I would be inclined to say, "No thanks" unless they did something to make it worth my while. I definitely wouldn't want to have to sublet my apartment. That would be a dealbreaker for sure. And there needs to be a financial incentive as well.

[J.Apple902]

What about the flight thing? It's an 8 month flight, I feel like I deserve 2-3 flights covered during this time.

Thanks!

[disneysteve]

What about the flight thing? It's an 8 month flight, I feel like I deserve 2-3 flights covered during this time.

Thanks!

I agree. They need to be somehow compensating you for moving away. If the relocation is going to end up costing you money, why would you go? Unless you feel doing this will really help advance your career you need to be paid for your troubles.

[snafu]

I suggest you 1st establish whether you can reject the temp move without jeopardizing your employment. Did your initial contract include moving to other locations? Do you have a specific skill set that your employer needs in Vancouver? That puts you in a stronger negotiating position. One week's time frame to sublet, move, nail down accommodation and be 'on the job' is a very tight and unrealistic time-frame. Do they offer re-location 'allowance'? How far is Vancouver from your current home? Chicago Ill to Vanc. Wa?

Have you examined specific costs in Vancouver [rentals, food, utilities, auto operation costs etc? Does your lease permit sub-let? If the renter turns out to be a dud, fails to pay, moves out unexpectedly, wrecks the place...what is your liability? How do you handle extra rental or auto insurance costs?

What is the plan for furniture, electronics and stuff? Do they go in storage? What is that monthly cost?

Like the others, I don't see this as a reasonable or equitable employer demand. I'd ask for a long list of expenses covered - and insist on a written, signed agreement as verbal agreements change on a dime depending on the person talking.

[J.Apple902]

k so i negotiated my way into a bonus. Thank you everyone!

[riverwed070707]

What about the flight thing? It's an 8 month flight, I feel like I deserve 2-3 flights covered during this time.

Thanks!

At this point I think its irrelevant unless the move isn't optional. If its optional, you need to focus more on the financial side (more pay would allow you to afford more trips home, but also choose how you spend your money) but also why you would choose to essentially temporarily move for higher expenses and the same pay. If they are giving you a choice, they have to make you an offer you can't turn down.

If the move isn't optional, then I would negotiate things like how many flights home they will cover, how they will help with your current residence, etc. If the move isn't optional, they should be paying for your new place in full, no questions asked. They have no right to dictate what you do with your current residence unless they are already paying your rent. They can't mandate you sublease. What if your contract doesn't allow it? Most don't.