Job and life in Boston questions :)
#16
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.
Last edited by Glasgow Girl; Jan 13th 2021 at 12:46 am.
#17
Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
The company will match 4% of contributions to a 401k plan. To me that's analogous to a defined contribution pension scheme, is that right? Is 4% good, average, poor?
- A 401k is not a pension scheme in the slightest. From limited experience 4% is average.
Last edited by newadventure; Jan 13th 2021 at 6:23 pm. Reason: Make quote more obvious
#18
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.
#20
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,618
Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
#21
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.
#22
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,848
Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
Why do you say there won’t be a contract? Every job I have had in the US has had a contract/agreement. This has been as basic as an offer letter with terms to with a place to sign/accept, ranging up to a 15+ plus one with everything covered. While it might be true that no written contract is required I doubt that is the norm for a role in tech or finance... that said pretty much everything in it will be for the benefit of the employer NOT employee....
#23
Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
Why do you say there won’t be a contract? Every job I have had in the US has had a contract/agreement. This has been as basic as an offer letter with terms to with a place to sign/accept, ranging up to a 15+ plus one with everything covered. While it might be true that no written contract is required I doubt that is the norm for a role in tech or finance... that said pretty much everything in it will be for the benefit of the employer NOT employee....
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,154
Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
Negotiate all this BS before you come over. Otherwise they will own you.
#25
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,618
Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
The OP asked for examples of 'typical contract terms' for engineering manager. I agree that there are no 'typical contract terms' for an engineering manager - or indeed no 'typical contract terms' for any job in the US It's what you and the employer can agree on for your particular job and your specific circumstances.
I think the OP is looking for a document which, apart from the specific details for his job, also sets out mandatory employment rules - labor laws? In an 'at will' state there are few if any.
I think the OP is looking for a document which, apart from the specific details for his job, also sets out mandatory employment rules - labor laws? In an 'at will' state there are few if any.
#26
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 1,154
Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
#27
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,848
Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
The OP asked for examples of 'typical contract terms' for engineering manager. I agree that there are no 'typical contract terms' for an engineering manager - or indeed no 'typical contract terms' for any job in the US It's what you and the employer can agree on for your particular job and your specific circumstances.
I think the OP is looking for a document which, apart from the specific details for his job, also sets out mandatory employment rules - labor laws? In an 'at will' state there are few if any.
I think the OP is looking for a document which, apart from the specific details for his job, also sets out mandatory employment rules - labor laws? In an 'at will' state there are few if any.
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...
#28
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 226
Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
Hello everyone,
I'm in the final stages of recruitment for a job in MA. The position will be a engineering manager role. I have not got a good understanding of how employment works in the USA, but my impression is that employees have negligible rights compared to the UK so I'd like to make sure I've got my contract watertight (or as far as possible). I've also got lots of questions about medical insurance, where to live etc, so I would be grateful for help from anyone, especially anyone in the Boston area
Thanks
I'm in the final stages of recruitment for a job in MA. The position will be a engineering manager role. I have not got a good understanding of how employment works in the USA, but my impression is that employees have negligible rights compared to the UK so I'd like to make sure I've got my contract watertight (or as far as possible). I've also got lots of questions about medical insurance, where to live etc, so I would be grateful for help from anyone, especially anyone in the Boston area
- Medical insurance cover seems poor, the deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums make it seem like it could get quite expensive. Obviously the UK is free, and France where we are now is 90%, so I have quite high expectations on this so I know I need to adjust my expectations. What is reasonable amount of cover?
- If emergency medical cover is needed in the USA outside of the insured area (in this case New England) then do I need separate insurance for that?
- I presume we will still need travel insurance medical cover if we need emergency care in other countries? Or does medical insurance in the USA normally cover emergency medical support in other countries too.
- I presume that for visas we will need to prove we've been vaccinated against various diseases. Will we be told what additional vaccinations we need as part of the visa application? And with how much notice?
- In case we have to quarantine when we move (probably April) then can anyone suggest a good place to stay for 2 weeks where we won't go mad
Thanks
Moving in April? Is the embassy even open for visa appointments? I believe you are currently in France so presumably the Paris embassy. As far as I recall, there is a block on certain visas being issued at the moment - immediate family such as spouses are excluded from the block, for example, but many work visas are “paused” at the moment. You might want to check that your category is even open for processing.
Assuming you can proceed and your visa can be issued, you will be advised of the vaccine requirements. You will also currently need to quarantine for 14 days before entring the US as people coming from Europe (with the exception of USCs, LPRs and certain family members) cannot enter the US at the moment unless they spend 15 days in a country not on the banned list before entering. Mexico is currently an option. As is Turkey, I believe. This applies to people coming to live as well, unless they fall under an exemption (which you don’t appear to).
My employer’s insurance policy covers me all over the country. It’s through a huge insurance provider, probably one of the biggest in the country. It’s not perfect but it has done a reasonable enough job for me and my family, even with being treated for cancer.
For the love of the gods, healthcare in the UK is not free. You are taxed handsomely for it. Although the costs here are not insignificant, when you look at your total deductions from your pay stub and compare that with tax and NI in the UK, you’ll probably be better off here. I was in 45% income tax bracket in the UK. I’m a high earner here too but even with the cost of healthcare for the household factored in, my take-home pay here is a greater proportion of my gross than it was in the UK. That said, you’re considering a move to Taxachusetts so this may not apply to you. But I just had to say something because it makes my eyes itch when I read “healthcare is free in the UK”.
#29
Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
Note to OP - there could be a vesting schedule on the company match. If you leave before it's vested you will forfeit that portion of the money.
Last edited by tom169; Jan 13th 2021 at 8:33 pm.
#30
Re: Job and life in Boston questions :)
Why do you say there won’t be a contract? Every job I have had in the US has had a contract/agreement. This has been as basic as an offer letter with terms to with a place to sign/accept, ranging up to a 15+ plus one with everything covered. While it might be true that no written contract is required I doubt that is the norm for a role in tech or finance... that said pretty much everything in it will be for the benefit of the employer NOT employee....