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UK to US move
liam.mccaffrey - 25/6/07 at 08:21 AM

I am being relocated/seconded to a company terminal in Cushing, Oklahoma. I am getting married in September and taking the wife with me. This is potentially for about 18 months. i need to know the things i should negotiate into the agreement.

Anyone have any experience with this kind of thing?

Many thanks

Liam Mc

Humbug - 25/6/07 at 08:32 AM

Transportation both ways and registration/re-registration costs of your seven

Syd Bridge - 25/6/07 at 08:39 AM

Biggest thing you need in the USA is health insurance, as much as you can negotiate. Also add in Dental as well. These are the biggest bonuses in work contracts over there.

Neither are free, or cheap, in the good ol'USA!

Pants On Fire - 25/6/07 at 09:03 AM

Negotiate UK holiday terms, you won't get more than 12-15 days on a US contract, probably more like 10 days.

Negotiate a white goods allowance, none of your electrical products will work in the US.

nick205 - 25/6/07 at 09:04 AM

Annual leave/vacation entitlement in the US/Canada is generally very low - sometimes 10 days per annum. It would be worth checking that you will retain at least what you would be entitled to in the UK.

It would be shame to have the opportunity to see America, but no leave on which to do it!

Sounds like a fantastic opportunity BTW hope you enjoy it


Edit to say...
Should type quicker ^^^^^^^

[Edited on 25/6/07 by nick205]

DarrenW - 25/6/07 at 09:23 AM

my mate moved to US a while ago and had trouble getting credit as he had no history over there. This caused him some problems initially (even getting security for rent). Might be worth discussing this with the company to see if there is an easy solution.

Of course might be worth checking if this is a real problem as well with other people.

liam.mccaffrey - 25/6/07 at 09:35 AM

thanks for the help guys, its good info

iank - 25/6/07 at 09:46 AM

quote:
Originally posted by DarrenW
my mate moved to US a while ago and had trouble getting credit as he had no history over there. This caused him some problems initially (even getting security for rent). Might be worth discussing this with the company to see if there is an easy solution.

Of course might be worth checking if this is a real problem as well with other people.


The way around that one is to get an American Express card here in the UK, use it and pay the bill promptly. When in the US apply for a US American Express card. They are the only company that can/will pass credit history across borders. Once you have a US credit card you build a US credit history and can get other cards easily.

As it's only for 18months you could just keep the UK one, but you'll get stung every time you move money between currencies to pay the bill.

jos - 25/6/07 at 12:01 PM

have a think about whether you want to be paid in US$'s or UK £ Sterling and also whether you want it paid into a UK or US registered branch of your bank and on or off shore.

PeterW - 25/6/07 at 02:45 PM

Tax - check if you are being paid in the UK or US as there is a tax agreement between the 2 countries - so you either pay to Inland Revenue or IRS.

Do you own a house here..? Get them to cover rental expenses if you rent it out, or at least pay for all your house costs in the US - bills included.

Wife - what is SWMBO going to do for 18 months...? You will have the work permit, are they getting her one too..? If not, she can't even get a McJob to stave off the boredom...

Flights - get some flights home/rellies out flights in the contract. Cheaper to buy from the US, but worth including

Container allowance - take what you need, then coming back, fill the rest of the space with cheap tools... and a 357 Chevvy engine cos you KNOW you want one...

Pete

Macbeast - 25/6/07 at 03:36 PM

If it's a secondment, make sure they keep your job open for you and you get pay rises and seniority credit (if anybody gets pay rises these days ).

If you're in company pension scheme with employer's contributions, make sure they keep it running. you will probably have to transfer money back for your contributions. Much depends on where you are being paid from.

Get your HR people on it. They will probably be absolutely useless but at least when there's a dispute when you come back you can sue them for negligence

Good luck

martyn_16v - 25/6/07 at 05:42 PM

As has been mentioned, either a work permit for the other half, or a big-ass payrise/living allowance to cover the fact that she can't work. My mate and his g/f have just got back from 2 years in Florida, their biggest problem was her going out of her nut with nothing to do. In the end she started up an internet business (registered in UK) just to keep herself busy.

liam.mccaffrey - 26/6/07 at 07:32 AM

can i just say that the help you guys hvae given is fantastic. some of those thing i didn't even think about.

Fred W B - 26/6/07 at 11:07 AM

I've also seen it, Expat wives go crazy if they have nothing to do.........

Make sure they understand you expect them to relocate anything you buy in the states back with you, as suggested above.

Cheers

Fred W B

liam.mccaffrey - 26/6/07 at 12:40 PM

negotiations are going ok, will update soon

joneh - 26/6/07 at 12:43 PM

negotiation with the job or wife to be?

liam.mccaffrey - 26/6/07 at 01:50 PM

with the job, wife is onboard