Relocation Packages/Negotiation

[wndsr]

Morning

Looking for a bit of advice with regards to a recent job offer I have received from a very large multi-national company.

I am currently based in Edinburgh for another large company and have been 'in discussions' with the new company for a few months. We eventually reached the point of getting me in for interview and I travelled down to their site for this. All discussions to this point were along the lines of "we can base you in our Edinburgh office, no problem at all".

I was successful and offered a role with the new company but there was a slight curveball: they need to base me out of a site c.450 miles away from where I live currently.

My initial thoughts are along the lines of:

• I am prepared to relocate even though (a) new location is not somewhere I would personally choose to live (b) partner would still be based in Edinburgh so we would live apart (c) as a result of previous point, all monthly outgoing would be 100% mine and not 50% each.
• I would like to negotiate an increase in annual salary to cover the unexpected cost of point C above and the fact I would now be paying for travel to visit the other half.
• I don't want to empty my savings account to pay for an unexpected relocation, I would like some financial support from the new employer to fund this.

Obviously I don't want to come across like a diva... I definitely want to work for the company in question but on the basis that I go past one of their Edinburgh offices on a daily basis and the fact I was told categorically they could base me here, I feel it's fair to have a discussion about terms.

Thoughts?

 

[wndsr]

Thanks for the responses. Messed up my Multi-Quote. Answers below.

 

[wndsr]

It suggests either that your relationship isn't that important or you are happy to potentially double your costs if you currently live together.

Relationship is very important but we are both young enough (and focused on career enough) to accept this big curveball for a short period of time.

Have you asked them to clarify for sure that you'll be based there every day?

Yep. Unfortunately it involves taking over management responsibilities for a pretty large team so will need to be on site most of the time. There will be regular travel to client sites but they are growing their presence in the new location so keen to have everybody on site.

For me, it would have to be very financially/career rewarding to make that kind of impact worthwhile considering your relationship.

Probably the latter on this one. Money is very good (if I didn't have this to contend with!) but opportunities with new company are much improved, both during your time with them and after.

Thoughts are that because this has come as a total surprise, it gives you carte blanche to ask for whatever you want (compared to had you applied for a job knowing it was to be based a long way from home). My expectation is that the amount you'll need to make this worthwhile will probably make the job unviable i.e. you'll effectively be asking them to cover the cost of accommodation and travel plus a big wedge for the inconvenience and travel time.

Is your partner also relocating out of the question?

I think on this basis I am probably more willing to ask for a significantly increased package on the basis that it was a total surprise. I can only assume (and hope) that a company the size of this has a big enough budget to make it happen without messing me about.

Partner is very open to moving, probably more so than I am. Unfortunately just not to the location in question and I don't believe the right thing to do is ask that of them, particularly as I moved to Edinburgh and they came along... turned out not to be the best move for them in terms of settling in/making friends etc.

 

[wndsr]

Hi all, thanks very much for the responses and apologies for not updating sooner.

After going back to the prospective employer to say I would require "support" (I didn't even get on to money, I wanted to see if they would play their hand first) they said they will base me out of their Edinburgh office for contractual purposes but the role would be 80-100% travel. I was expecting a very high amount of travel with the role anyway so this is a perfect outcome for me.

Just awaiting the contract signing then I will hand in my resignation. Thanks again all.

 

[wndsr]

Travel on their dime I hope? And that hopefully means a return to home at the end of every week?

Yep all fully paid for by them. I'm told their expenses policy is more generous than my current one so winner!

 

[wndsr]

100% travel sounds like it's pretty akin to relocating? Are they adjusting ££ accordingly?

Well I knew the role would involve lots of travel. It's one of those types of organisations that send their colleagues to the sites of their clients for a week. I'm happy with everything they have offered now.

 

[wndsr]

Thanks for the further comments and sorry for taking so long to respond! It looks like my schedule will be Mon-Thu away from home (if required to be on client site), and at home any other time. On the basis that it's all expensed, I'm not too concerned.