Working abroad: am I expecting too much?

[red92s]

My company has offered me a 2 year expat role in India. I was first presented with the guidelines and handbook that describe the "Company Standards" for long-term relocation. Included in the "standard" expat assignment are:
- Base Salary
- Cost of Living Adjustment
- 401k (same as domestic)
- Annual review/salary increases (same as domestic)
- Health Insurance (same as domestic)
- Storage of goods in home country
- Relocation allowance (8% of base)
- Auto disposition ($3500)
- Transport of 500 pounds personal property to new location
- 150 hours of language and cultural training
- Return allowance (8% of base)
- Hardship allowance (0-25% of base depending on new location)
- Home travel (1x year in business, or 2x in coach)
- Tax equalization between home/host country

When I was provided with my ACTUAL policy, many of the attractive benefits had been removed:
- No storage
- No auto disposition
- No personal goods transport
- No return allowance
- No hardship allowance

My base salary would be the same working domestically as abroad. The removal of the auto disposition, return allowance, and hardship allowance make the offer significantly less attractive from a financial standpoint. Given the fact the the region has monsoons, a recent string of terrorist bombings, high heat, and unsafe drinking water I was estimating about 15%+ for the hardship allowance.

The company claims that they cannot cost justify the position without excluding all of the items above. But I don't know if I can justify taking the position, if financially it's fairly comparable to working comfortably in the US, near my friends and family, not having to brush my teeth with bottled water, and not worrying about roadside bombs. They keep selling it as "you are young, this is a great career builder" . . . but, I'd rather have all my limbs than a great resume-booster.

I know long term, the potential career advancement opportunities could greatly outweigh the payments they have eliminated, but I have a feeling they would have trouble finding a suitably skilled employee, willing to relocate to the area, for what they are offering. I'm young, I'm single, no kids, I have the technical background to do the job, and already have an excellent working knowledge of the project from bottom to top. Peace of mind can certainly be bought, but it's usually not cheap.

I don't "need" the extra money, as my finances are very well under control, but having it certainly would be nice.

So . . . how would you proceed?

[safari]

I wouldn't take it if I were you. I work with offshore people in India, and they all want to come work in US to boost their careers.

[aida2003]

Nope, I wouldn't go there after seeing your ACTUAL proposal.

[solo]

Don't except if you're not excited about being in India. However, if you do go work in India, it's a good place to start your own business. I hear they're building several megamalls there.

[red92s]

Don't except if you're not excited about being in India. However, if you do go work in India, it's a good place to start your own business. I hear they're building several megamalls there.

Career wise, it really is a pretty great opportunity. It's a significant role in a large project that allows me to "get my hands dirty", and I have a good working relationship with the other people on the project team. Experience in low-cost country manufacturing is a huge asset in the consumer products industry.

After a discussion of my concerns and points this afternoon, the offer has been revised to include:
- 10% hardship allowance
- 8% return allocation
- $3500 auto disposition
- Storage in home country
- Transport of goods

A furnished room in a company-owned house would be provided. The house includes a cook, driver, laundry, etc. Deductions for rent/utilities/services in the house would be fixed at what I pay now (just over $600/mo).

My benefits and opportunities for annual salary increases remain unchanged from working domestically.

[solo]

Career wise, it really is a pretty great opportunity. It's a significant role in a large project that allows me to "get my hands dirty", and I have a good working relationship with the other people on the project team. Experience in low-cost country manufacturing is a huge asset in the consumer products industry.

After a discussion of my concerns and points this afternoon, the offer has been revised to include:
- 10% hardship allowance
- 8% return allocation
- $3500 auto disposition
- Storage in home country
- Transport of goods

A furnished room in a company-owned house would be provided. The house includes a cook, driver, laundry, etc. Deductions for rent/utilities/services in the house would be fixed at what I pay now (just over $600/mo).

My benefits and opportunities for annual salary increases remain unchanged from working domestically.

Sounds good to me. Good luck.

[anonymous_saver]

I wouldn't take it no matter what the financial benefits were. It's too important to me to be near family/friends.

[red92s]

I wouldn't take it no matter what the financial benefits were. It's too important to me to be near family/friends.

Thats really the only thing thats holding me back, although in my current work location I'm 1,000 miles from most of my friends and family to begin with. Also, 2x trips home per year are paid for, which is about how many times I see my family as is.

[tripods68]

If I were in your shoes, I would take it. Like you said, you have no responsibility and no family. This is a great opportunity to see another culture and learn their language, expose yourself away from the US for a while. The good thing about it, you're being paid with all the benefits and salary. It's a win win situation. You can always go back home after you 6 or 1 year. But this opportunity would never be knocking again. Regret is a *b**itch though.

I'm coming from the point of view where I've traveled in over 20 countries including Asia. But never to India.

[bucketheadmn]

A furnished room in a company-owned house would be provided. The house includes a cook, driver, laundry, etc. Deductions for rent/utilities/services in the house would be fixed at what I pay now (just over $600/mo).

This fixed cost is what I would try to negotiate away next - sounds like the services are already there and being paid for regardless if you are there nor not.

[scfr]

Sounds like it boils down to what is best for your career. Look at where other people who have accepted overseas assignments (and subsequently returned) are now within your company. Sometimes overseas assignments are the springboard to great career advancement, and sometimes they put you "out of the loop" permanently.

[red92s]

Sounds like it boils down to what is best for your career. Look at where other people who have accepted overseas assignments (and subsequently returned) are now within your company. Sometimes overseas assignments are the springboard to great career advancement, and sometimes they put you "out of the loop" permanently.

Excellent advice. The company is a large (Fortune 500) consumer products outfit, that is aggressively pursuing global growth. We have excellent market presence in many north American countries, but are just beginning an earnest effort to expand globally. It would seem, at least, that the long-term business goals of the company would be well aligned with the opportunity.

This fixed cost is what I would try to negotiate away next - sounds like the services are already there and being paid for regardless if you are there nor not.

The standard policy includes a "housing norm" deduction to account for the company paying housing on your behalf. My big points of contention were that they removed many benefits from the standard policy, so going back and asking to have parts of the standard policy removed would be a tough sell.

[aida2003]

Excellent advice. The company is a large (Fortune 500) consumer products outfit, that is aggressively pursuing global growth. We have excellent market presence in many north American countries, but are just beginning an earnest effort to expand globally. It would seem, at least, that the long-term business goals of the company would be well aligned with the opportunity.

How many countries are in North America? Did you mean states instead?

Since you're young you have nothing to lose but more to gain, IMO. After they amended their proposal, I'd go there.

[red92s]

How many countries are in North America? Did you mean states instead?

Since you're young you have nothing to lose but more to gain, IMO. After they amended their proposal, I'd go there.

Well, okay . . . all the NA countries. "Many" isn't really an accurate term.