Job and life in Boston questions :)
Jan 14th 2021, 7:42 pm
#61
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
For her, after a year or so, it's very important. If she doesn't get one we'll probably just leave. The project has major milestones in 4 and 8 years, so those are the timescales I'd like to aim for.
Yes it's probably not very practical with 2 young children.
Cheers
Jan 14th 2021, 7:45 pm
#62
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
I was an engineering manager when I first came over here, albeit Austin not Boston. You should probably expect to work at least 45 hours a week, significantly more when necessary which is likely at times. Many companies offer 2 weeks leave to new recruits so the 2 to 3 weeks suggested by your recruiter sounds about right. Taking 4 or 5 weeks would probably not be appreciated. The leave is likely what they call Paid Time Off, PTO, and includes sick leave so do not plan on being sick and taking vacation. Check with your recruiter on that one. The higher level the position the more the company will think that they own you, and will require you to do what it takes to get the job done. If you are at a reasonably high level expect to have to field calls and emails on the weekends, evenings and vacation.
You could reasonably expect 2 weeks notice although there is usually no requirement to provide anything. Since you will be high and dry if you were let go I would try to negotiate severance pay if you can, as well as a package to get you back to whatever country you would need to go to. You would have a short amount of time to leave the country and it will be expensive, If they are not willing to negotiate such a package that would be a red flag for me.
You could reasonably expect 2 weeks notice although there is usually no requirement to provide anything. Since you will be high and dry if you were let go I would try to negotiate severance pay if you can, as well as a package to get you back to whatever country you would need to go to. You would have a short amount of time to leave the country and it will be expensive, If they are not willing to negotiate such a package that would be a red flag for me.
Thanks for the advice. I'll be a first line manager, so not high but high enough to expect weekend and out of hours hassle I expect.
Paid time off including sick AND holiday leave?! Wow, I was not expecting that - I will definitely get that confirmed.
Good advice on the red flag thanks, much appreciated.
Cheers
Jan 14th 2021, 7:47 pm
#63
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
If planning on staying for more than 6 years then you will need a Green Card. The H1B is only valid for 3 years and can be extended once for 3 more. After 6 years you have to leave the country for at least one year before becoming eligible for another H1B.
Jan 14th 2021, 7:51 pm
#64
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
Your wife may be able to get an Employment Authorization Document, EAD, under the H4 visa. If she is approved she will have less employment restrictions than you have, which is a little strange. See here for details.
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the...endent-spouses
You should talk to your recruiter about a path to a Green Card with your new employer. You don't have to go all the way but it is definitely an option that you will want. If an employer agrees to that, then it is normal for them to require you to repay all the associated costs if you voluntarily leave employment before a specified amount of time has lapsed.
If you have any savings outside of a regular deposit account, then you should liquidate them BEFORE you become subject to US taxes which is the day you arrive. If you sell any investments held in a Unit Trust, OEIC or any shared pool type of investment (including anything in an ISA) while you are subject to US taxes, you will be killed on US taxes, plus you will be in paperwork hell when you file your taxes. It does not matter when you purchased the investment, they will tax you on the entire profit at punitive rates, plus interest for all the years going back to when you originally bought, regardless of whether you were in the US or not when you purchased.
All the replies to your original question sound a little harsh, but employment in the US is tougher than it is in Europe or the UK. The work/life balance is usually tipped heavily in the work direction. You could get lucky with your new employer but expect to work longer and harder than you do in Europe.
https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the...endent-spouses
You should talk to your recruiter about a path to a Green Card with your new employer. You don't have to go all the way but it is definitely an option that you will want. If an employer agrees to that, then it is normal for them to require you to repay all the associated costs if you voluntarily leave employment before a specified amount of time has lapsed.
If you have any savings outside of a regular deposit account, then you should liquidate them BEFORE you become subject to US taxes which is the day you arrive. If you sell any investments held in a Unit Trust, OEIC or any shared pool type of investment (including anything in an ISA) while you are subject to US taxes, you will be killed on US taxes, plus you will be in paperwork hell when you file your taxes. It does not matter when you purchased the investment, they will tax you on the entire profit at punitive rates, plus interest for all the years going back to when you originally bought, regardless of whether you were in the US or not when you purchased.
All the replies to your original question sound a little harsh, but employment in the US is tougher than it is in Europe or the UK. The work/life balance is usually tipped heavily in the work direction. You could get lucky with your new employer but expect to work longer and harder than you do in Europe.
The investments thing is interesting, I had been wondering what to do with the savings we have, so for now I might just leave them where they are. We have a house in the UK which we rent out, so I presume that will be subject to some sort of tax too but hopefully only on the income generated.
Yes some replies are very harsh! Others are more gentle
But the reason I asked is because I want to go into this eyes wide open, I want to avoid nasty surprises.Cheers
Jan 14th 2021, 7:52 pm
#65
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
In case the job goes south or YOU want to return to the UK prematurely, you could consider getting a repatriation agreement in any employment letter you get. ie that company will pay for flights back and transport of household good. As it appears you are applying for a new job, and not being transferred by your current company (whereby your company approached you to move) you may, very well, not get this concession.
Cheers
Jan 14th 2021, 7:53 pm
#66
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
On the life insurance and disability options. Most companies provide an option for you to improve upon the default company provided benefits at your cost during what they call Annual Enrollment, which is usually in the fall, or when you first join, or have a significant life event like the birth of a child, marriage, divorce, etc. Most companies will offer no cost death benefits of 1x or 2x your salary but will allow you to buy up to 5x, subject to proof of health. Some companies will allow you to buy up improved long and short term disability packages. The cost tends to be quite reasonable. Ask you recruiter for more details on those options.
Jan 14th 2021, 7:54 pm
#67
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
Thanks for the reminder, I think I read that somewhere. I'll need to check if 6 years actually gets the project to somewhere worthwhile.
Jan 14th 2021, 7:54 pm
#68
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
Jan 14th 2021, 7:58 pm
#70
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
Strongly recommend you liquidate those savings if you accept the position. You are taxed at the highest published tax rate, not your marginal income tax rate. That is currently about 39% but could easily go higher under the Biden administration. Add on interest for all the years the profits accrued and state tax and you will be well North of 50% tax. Unless you are 100% certain you would never ever touch those savings while subject to US taxes you should liquidate and reinvest in US equivalents.
Jan 14th 2021, 7:58 pm
#71
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
Going to a site like this and putting in MA shows you a pretty boilerplate contract.. that said as always the devil is in the details.. I suspect what the OP really wants to know is the average “blanks”are.... for that he should try Glassdoor or a site like that if his offer is from a large enough company or search the closest competitor...
https://www.rocketlawyer.com/busines...yment-contract
But the OP should start the other way around anyway.. take gross comp, subtract things like healthcare and tax and then then look at the net to make sure they can survive on that based on where they want to live and desired lifestyle .... Boston is a high cost city like most others on the East and West coast...
https://www.rocketlawyer.com/busines...yment-contract
But the OP should start the other way around anyway.. take gross comp, subtract things like healthcare and tax and then then look at the net to make sure they can survive on that based on where they want to live and desired lifestyle .... Boston is a high cost city like most others on the East and West coast...
Yes, I want to know what the gaps are, especially with respect to what are the norms in the UK.
I did what you suggested already, but there were some unknowns like healthcare, other insurance, etc.
Cheers
Jan 14th 2021, 8:01 pm
#72
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
You'll most likely get this from your prospective employer
Jan 14th 2021, 8:04 pm
#73
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
makes me think this is more tech / startup, but bigger firms are adopting it as well. I understand the term to be code for “no leave” I have always had 5+ weeks here except 1 role where I had to compromise at 4 because every other employee only had 2, but even then I basically read leave to me a days out of the office vs days in the office.. so I always have my laptop and clear emails overnight and then stay on call all day checking messages. Head to check on my my lake house and to ski tomorrow... will just work on the lift between runs... be ready for a culture shock if your used to a month of leave where you never work or check in like French summer vacation.
Last edited by tht; Jan 14th 2021 at 8:15 pm.
Jan 14th 2021, 8:07 pm
#74
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
There really is no norm... if it’s a larger firm they will have a pretty standard offer...if it’s a smaller one or a startup it can vary massively... I don’t think healthcare is even a requirement below a certain number, maybe 50 employees.. what size firm is it? What sector? Is it established / profitable, or a start up? When I set up benefits for smaller firms (sub 10 US employees) I used a PEO called TriNet to offer good benefits comparable to a big firm, but often founders will only set up what they need and everyone else is stuck with it...
OP has said it's a startup with 100 employees (I don't know what industry)
Jan 14th 2021, 8:15 pm
#75
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Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
https://www.investopedia.com/ask/ans...nsion-plan.asp
The biggest difference IMO is what happens when you die. Pensions can die with you, a 401k will be in the estate and beneficiaries can inherit it.
The biggest difference IMO is what happens when you die. Pensions can die with you, a 401k will be in the estate and beneficiaries can inherit it.
