Job Advice: temporary overseas job assignment? Pay increase/ requests

[Neilk]

Hello,

My job requires occasional travel where I have to go visit a dmoestic client for a 2 night/ 3 day trip once to twice a month, sometimes more frequently if the timing is bad, but rarely is the trip longer than 3 nights.

Apparently our company is bidding on a job that would possibly require me to be onsite somewhere on the Saudi peninsula for up to a month. It would be an interesting job, but what demands or perks should I ask for?

It would be difficult on the family, so I would expect some benefits rather than a "thanks for taking the project", but I also don't want to look like a greedy a** at the same time.

Any thoughts from the braintrust?

Thanks,
Neil

[RANDY P]

What have they offered others in the past?

Companies know the away from family angle is a real objection, use it to get compensated. No other reason to go.

[matt711]

There may be tax benefits as well. The people that I know who do overseas contract work typically make close to double what they do in the states for the same work.

[Zeke]

Might be reason to go if that's what the company tells him to do. Other than per diem, I don't think there's a whole lot of money for a regular normally US based employee. A month is not a long time. 6 months might be a different story.

[tharbert]

I think there is a tax incentive: first $155k is tax free? At least thats what I heard. I looked into getting a contract job setting up bomb dumps over there once I retired. It didnt' pan out...

[matt711]

Good point as it's only a month... I have grown so used to 12-15 month deployments that the thought of 30 days really doesnt seem like a big deal to me anymore. Of course if it was the first time I had to do it I would probably not be thrilled.

As an aside, the Army pays us $250 a month after the first 30 days for "family seperation".

[RANDY P]

Just ask the question. What is it worth? They know they have to pay up. It's not out of line...

Put the compensation on the table and see what they say to you.

rjp

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by matt711

There may be tax benefits as well. The people that I know who do overseas contract work typically make close to double what they do in the states for the same work.

IIRC you have to be out of hte country for over 6 months straight, don't quote on that but it's a long while to get ex pat status...

[tweezers74]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Might be reason to go if that's what the company tells him to do. Other than per diem, I don't think there's a whole lot of money for a regular normally US based employee. A month is not a long time. 6 months might be a different story.

This.

[70SATMan]

Well, if your job description lists international travel required, you aren't in the position to make real demands. Sure you can make em....

My job often takes me on the road and for up to four months at a pop. Unless I am going into a very high risk area or war zone, about the best I can hope for is asking for an incentive bonus in the form of hazzard pay.

As a regular employee, your company is required to remit you your expenses. They have the right to determine whether it is through per diem or actuals. You are not entitled to be paid any more than what it costs the company for you to perform your duties on their behalf.

If it is a Govt. program, the rules are different. You are entitled to Govt. per diem rates and it is up to you to live within those means.

Saudi sounds scary but, not enough to demand a lot of extras. Like I said, it depends on your job description.

If International travel is not listed, I'd be asking for a raise in compensation for the additional effort.

[Josh D]

When my company sent me to China for 8 weeks I got a salary increase that's designed to cover expenses at home due to being absent. Items like lawn care, pool care, etc. that would normaly be taken care of by me would have to be farmed out. Your company should cover this. There are formulas for how much and how long.

[widgeon13]

Do the job and be thankful you are employed. If you think you are not expendable ask for more money. It all depends on the circumstances. Good luck!

[MRM]

My wife's company has the same thing come up frequently, and expat assignments are always looming over her head. The fact of the matter is that overseas assignments are a pain and are hard on the body and family. Temp duty with lots of travel are even worse. Companies know that it's a harder job than staying in one place and they are willing to pay accordingly because it is harder. It makes no sense to accept a job that's more demanding in exchange for nothing more than a pat on the head. If they give you one of those.

This is a significant undertaking and should come with significant compensation. Consider the fact that you'll be spending a month at a time on the road in an unpleasant place and it's a 12 hour plane flight each way to get there and back. And you'll be waking up at midnight to talk to your wife and kids on the phone.

The company will have to pay anyone accordingly for being willing to accept a setup like that. Have a frank discussion with the manager in charge of the business unit. If they don't value the position highly enough to compensate you fairly, then it is not a position you should take. You're better off riding your desk and traveling domestically. If they value the position they'll pay you enough to take it.

[stomachmonkey]

Saudi Peninsula?

Only thing I'd be asking for is enough cash to get me somewhere every weekend where I can get booze and porn.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

Saudi Peninsula?

Only thing I'd be asking for is enough cash to get me somewhere every weekend where I can get booze and porn.

And Bacon.

[Hugh R]

I travel sometimes for weeks. I never gave a thought to asking for more pay. OTOH, I don't eat at McDonald's either when I travel. Reasonable, but nice. Morton's once in a while, but sensible expenses.

[kiwiokie]

If you are a US citizen then there is no tax benefit for working in Saudi for that short a timeframe. Even though local rates are something like 3% for non-Saudi nationals you will continue to be paid by your US employer and normal US taxes will be taken out of the your checks. The IRS taxes on worldwide income no matter where it was earned unless you meet certain criteria that basically equate to you living overseas all year and only returning to the US for vacation.

If you get a per diem for time overseas this may be treated by your employer as supplemental pay which incurs a flat 25% federal tax and there are often similar extortion rates for state income taxes as well.

[kiwiokie]

BTW don't eat the beef bacon. It just ain't right.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by kiwiokie

BTW don't eat the beef bacon. It just ain't right.

Yep only bacon bacon.



And as we all know you do need to behave yourself in Saudi. Even if everyone around you isn't.

[Neilk]

Well this is all very speculative at this point. Apparently the job would be in UAE, so I assume Abu Dhabi, that's technicall the Saudi peninsula, right?

When I took the job, it was understood that traveling would be about 20%, rarely longer than 3 or 4 nights unless it was an exceptional case and always domestic. So international projects lasting 4 weeks were never even within the realm of possibility in our division until this potential deal came up.

I love international personal travel and I would jump at the opportunity to go for 2 weeks, but 4 weeks with just a pat on the back is not my idea of fun. I am not looking to hose my company, just for some extra compensation. I already knew that unless you are going into a military assignment, the good old IRS will always have their hands in your wallet, no real way to avoid that one (I'll take a cash bonus please ) .

We'll see how this pans out. Thanks for the note on per diem, I would hate to ask for one, use it all up and realize I owed 20% on whatever I spent.

Lastly, with regards to Hugh's comment, we all know how hard you have it, meeting fellow Pelicans around the world and saying "Hi" to Gwyneth Paltrow and Keira Knightly...

thanks,
Neil