relocation package
I have been offered a position with a company. I have received a written offer. A little background: I have been unemployed for 6 months, and have had numerous opportunities pass me by for a variety of reasons. This position involves a move 550 miles away, and the offered salary, while lower than I would have liked, is not too shabby. I feel as if I am not in a position to negotiate, because the offer falls with in a "range" I foolishly stated. While it is a considerable jump for me, it still puts me roughly in the 30th percentile in salary for comparable positions in the area where I will be moving. However, the fact that I have been not allowed to negotiate anything in the written offer is not my main issue at the present. (Yes, I asked to negotiate, and was flatly refused.) Now, they are fighting me on relocation details, specifically my dog. As it stands, I was hoping to start the job May 29th, and bring the dog with me in temporary housing. The rest of my family (husband and 2 daughters) would follow down 1 month later. However, the temporary housing location will charge my hiring company $10 per day for me to have the dog with me. Roughly $300, for a multi million dollar company that is not even willing to negotiate salary with me. All other options that I can determine at this point will actually cost the company MORE in the future. The email I received from my perspective employer stated "We cannot be financially responsible for your dog." I am at a loss. I am not in a position where I can turn the position down (which they know), and I am afraid now that it could be in jeopardy over something as ridiculous as the fact that I own a pet. Could some one please offer me advice on how to approach this, with out ending up with them rescinding their offer to me? I am in absolute shock that something as simple as moving my dog has become such a "fighting" point with them. Could some one please offer me advice on how to approach this, with out ending up with them rescinding their offer to me? Sure. You say thanks, I understand what you're saying and you leave the dog at home until your spouse and kids can bring it. Or you put him in a kennel. It isn't just the $300 that's the issue. It is any damage caused by your animal that they won't take responsibility for. Since they're footing the bill, they're guaranteeing you. I know you love your dog, it would never cause damage, yada, yada, yada, but they're not taking that risk. End of story. The issue is also not whether they're a multi-million dollar company or not, the issue is that you've got all you're going to get and that's that.
Tess Well, it may be too late for this tactic at this point, but my first thought is: Why on earth didn't you offer, immediately, to pay the extra $10/day yourself for the dog, and to assume liability for any damage done by it? Why would you think your company would want to or should pay for your dog to come with you? I understand why you would want the dog with you (I have 2 dogs, and would want them with me, too, but would never expect an employer to pay for them--no matter how much $$$ the employer has). But I do not understand why you think the company should assume financial responsibility in any way for the dog. If you have already gone back & forth about this issue with them, at this point I don't even think you should approach them--leave the dog with your family until you find permanent housing, or board it if they join you while you are still in temp housing. If, OTH, you have simply asked once about this, and been told no, then perhaps you can ask if they will allow it if you pay the extra $$ and sign a waiver of liability stating that you will be solely responsible for any damage done by the dog. You will have to offer them upfront that you will put it in writing. You have to be the judge as to whether or not you can push this issue with them. If you decide to present this scenario to them, you will have to be extremely tactful and diplomatic, and do not resent it if they say no. Frankly, I don't blame them at all for not wanting to pay for the dog... You are their "responsibility" at this point; your dog is not. I don't want to trivialize you concern, but why don't you just leave the dog at home with your spouse for a month? What's the problem with that? Sounds like you need the job, so I would not go to war trying to get your new employer to pay $10 bucks more per day for the dog. There is no way in the world that any employer anywhere would pay you extra so you can have your dog with you! Accept the offer that's been made and leave the dog with your spouse! Paul W. Barada The Negotiation Expert | |
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