Job Offer Question

[BlueEyedGirls]

DH interviewed for a new job and got an offer today! He is very unhappy where he is now, and this new offer is with a company he worked for before (completely different division/location) so he's very excited about the opportunity.

The past 2 times he has changed jobs, we were given very generous moving packages plus a sign on bonus. This time, we won't have to move, so they obviously won't have any expense to move him for the new job. However, when they called to make the offer, they said there was no sign on bonus included. We also *might* have a short lapse in insurance coverage since they won't cover us until the first of the month, which will cost us $2000+ for COBRA if we need it during that time.

Unfortunately, there would only be a very small increase in pay, but still a very good salary for the position. So other than his own sanity , they really aren't offering him much incentive to go there. Since they obviously want him, I think maybe he should try to negotiate a sign on bonus since they don't have to pay a penny to move us and because of the lapse in insurance etc. Of course, his parents think he might mess up the offer by even asking, so now he doesn't know what to do.

Any thoughts?? Thanks!

 

[sam_gordon]

DH interviewed for a new job and got an offer today! He is very unhappy where he is now, and this new offer is with a company he worked for before (completely different division/location) so he's very excited about the opportunity.

The past 2 times he has changed jobs, we were given very generous moving packages plus a sign on bonus. This time, we won't have to move, so they obviously won't have any expense to move him for the new job. However, when they called to make the offer, they said there was no sign on bonus included. We also *might* have a short lapse in insurance coverage since they won't cover us until the first of the month, which will cost us $2000+ for COBRA if we need it during that time.

Unfortunately, there would only be a very small increase in pay, but still a very good salary for the position. So other than his own sanity , they really aren't offering him much incentive to go there. Since they obviously want him, I think maybe he should try to negotiate a sign on bonus since they don't have to pay a penny to move us and because of the lapse in insurance etc. Of course, his parents think he might mess up the offer by even asking, so now he doesn't know what to do.

Any thoughts?? Thanks!

I understand your side. I also understand HIS side. Depending on what's already been said between the new bosses and your DH would determine how I'd proceed. If DH (hopefully) said "let me talk to my wife/think it over", then he can come back and explain you'd have to go with no insurance (I wouldn't mention the not needing to move) and that he'd like an extra $2K a year.

Of course if you KNOW the new company offers signing bonuses/insurance coverage for that position, he can ask for that. In my opinion, the $2K is small enough that the company either won't fight over it or figures your DH won't fight over it. I doubt they'd rescind a job offer over $2K. The worst they can say is "no".

 

[eebadeeba]

If I am reading this correctly you are looking at not being covered for less than a month. If that is going to cost 2k through COBRA, then just drop the current insurance when he leaves and get a cheap self-insured plan for that month. That is assuming there are no unusual medical issues.

 

[Pakey]

The job market is a very different place now. Is he willing to risk losing the opportunity to be happier over $2000?

 

[Luv Bunnies]

In this job market, I would take the salary offered and ask for the month of COBRA to be covered, nothing more.

 

[Mary Anne]

I work in HR - re COBRA you have 60 days to sign up, you do not have to sign up the first day you leave your company, if your non coverage period is less then the 60 days, just do not pay the bill, if you need to go to the dr. pay for the appointment which will cost far less then the cobra payment. In the event of a real accident, emergency, illness and you are still within the 60 days just make the COBRA payment and your insurance will be effective as of the term date of employment from the other company. I strongly suggest that you do not under any circumstances let your insurance lapse in the event the new job's insurance does not kick in before the 60 days lapse.

And I agree with the above poster, the job market is very different. They do not have to offer him anything other then a job. If he is really interested they he has to make a decision.

 

[Janepod]

Are you leaving the old job in, say, early October and starting the new one later in October, then covered Nov. 1? Because if that's the case, the insurance premiums paid at the first job (October payroll deductions) should be valid (i.e., keep you insured) through October 31. At least that has always been my experience - perhaps it varies by employer, insurance company, or state. But you should look into that.

 

[Coconut36]

If he asks he needs to be prepared for it to be rejected or the offer rescinded. Is he leaving an existing job or out of work right now? I don't think this job market is the time to be demanding signing bonuses unless you are prepared to not receive an offer or lose an offer.

You could ask about the Cobra but I am struggling to understand $2,000+ for not even a month coverage? I suppose you could ask but that seems crazy high to me for such a short time period.

 

[Coconut36]

Are you leaving the old job in, say, early October and starting the new one later in October, then covered Nov. 1? Because if that's the case, the insurance premiums paid at the first job (October payroll deductions) should be valid (i.e., keep you insured) through October 31. At least that has always been my experience - perhaps it varies by employer, insurance company, or state. But you should look into that.

That is my understanding as well. I am privately insurance and what I pay at the first of the month covers until the end of the month. With an employer plan it might vary I guess or be terminated at the time employment ends. Might be worth researching the current plan to see how it works.

 

[Mary Anne]

$2,000 for family COBRA is about standard. Now when the insurance with the current company ends is a whole other situation. It can be either the last day of employment or the end of the month. I've seen it work both ways, he should check with his current HR and find out. If he doesn't want to ask then it should be in the employee/benefit handbook.

 

[doris1976]

Happiness with a job is worth a lot more then mere money.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

They are more likely to offer a sign on bonus if they've been trying to fill a position for a while or know it will be difficult. If they have another qualified candidate or two besides your husband that have applied and interviewed, they have little to no reason to offer him one and you risk them moving on to the next candidate. He may be willing to take that chance, but it is something to consider.

 

[Coconut36]

$2,000 for family COBRA is about standard. Now when the insurance with the current company ends is a whole other situation. It can be either the last day of employment or the end of the month. I've seen it work both ways, he should check with his current HR and find out. If he doesn't want to ask then it should be in the employee/benefit handbook.

Why do people go with COBRA vs getting a private plan for the interim? That is outrageous for Cobra!

 

[leebee]

Why do people go with COBRA vs getting a private plan for the interim? That is outrageous for Cobra!

COBRA is outrageously expensive, but people seem to think it's a great deal to be able to stay covered when you are between jobs. "You can always COBRA it" is something people say so easily without knowing how outrageous the costs are. I also don't think people realize they can get private plans, or get them cheaper. We (both DH and I) were between jobs one summer. When we looked at the cost of COBRA, we rolled the dice and went without health insurance for two months. $5000 just wasn't in the budget of two unemployed people. Neither of us realized we could buy a short term health insurance plan for far, far less.

OP, tell him to take the job. Your DH needs to find out how long his current policy will cover him, and then when he talks to the HR people at the new job, he could mention that his only hesitance is that you'll be without health insurance for a month, to the tune of $2000. Seriously, though, if he wants this job he shouldn't try any fancy negotiations. There are PLENTY of well-qualified people out here who would love a good job, in every field. He doesn't want to lose the offer... and these days, the ball is DEFINITELY in the employer's court!

 

[tasha99]

COBRA is outrageously expensive, but people seem to think it's a great deal to be able to stay covered when you are between jobs. "You can always COBRA it" is something people say so easily without knowing how outrageous the costs are. I also don't think people realize they can get private plans, or get them cheaper. We (both DH and I) were between jobs one summer. When we looked at the cost of COBRA, we rolled the dice and went without health insurance for two months. $5000 just wasn't in the budget of two unemployed people. Neither of us realized we could buy a short term health insurance plan for far, far less.

OP, tell him to take the job. Your DH needs to find out how long his current policy will cover him, and then when he talks to the HR people at the new job, he could mention that his only hesitance is that you'll be without health insurance for a month, to the tune of $2000. Seriously, though, if he wants this job he shouldn't try any fancy negotiations. There are PLENTY of well-qualified people out here who would love a good job, in every field. He doesn't want to lose the offer... and these days, the ball is DEFINITELY in the employer's court!

This varies so much by field that I wouldn't assume the economy has hit (or hasn't hit) the OP's husband's job. I work in a school, and our district has a glut of certain jobs, but has had a very hard time filling other positions.

OP--I think you and your husband's parents should just leave this up to him. He would know best about the climate in his field as far as pay and bonuses.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

This varies so much by field that I wouldn't assume the economy has hit (or hasn't hit) the OP's husband's job. I work in a school, and our district has a glut of certain jobs, but has had a very hard time filling other positions.

OP--I think you and your husband's parents should just leave this up to him. He would know best about the climate in his field as far as pay and bonuses.

While that's true, I'll say when we are offering a sign on bonus, we come right out with that information. If we don't, it's not happening. Obviously not everyplace is the same.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I work in HR - re COBRA you have 60 days to sign up, you do not have to sign up the first day you leave your company, if your non coverage period is less then the 60 days, just do not pay the bill, if you need to go to the dr. pay for the appointment which will cost far less then the cobra payment. In the event of a real accident, emergency, illness and you are still within the 60 days just make the COBRA payment and your insurance will be effective as of the term date of employment from the other company. I strongly suggest that you do not under any circumstances let your insurance lapse in the event the new job's insurance does not kick in before the 60 days lapse.

And I agree with the above poster, the job market is very different. They do not have to offer him anything other then a job. If he is really interested they he has to make a decision.

Glad you mentioned this as most people don't realize you can do this. I didn't know this until someone at a previous job informed me. Makes the decision much easier.

Are you leaving the old job in, say, early October and starting the new one later in October, then covered Nov. 1? Because if that's the case, the insurance premiums paid at the first job (October payroll deductions) should be valid (i.e., keep you insured) through October 31. At least that has always been my experience - perhaps it varies by employer, insurance company, or state. But you should look into that.

I've actually stayed at a job until the first or second day of the month to get coverage through the end of the month. I left my last job on 9/2 and started at my current job on 9/19. There was no lapse in coverage at all. I used my old insurance through the end of September while I waited for the cards, etc. for the new job. And thank goodness I had it. DD ended up in the emergency room with a severely sprained ankle, torn tendons, etc. 2 days after my other job terminated.

OP - I would leave this decision to your DH. He knows the field, he knows the job market. Unless you are in the same field as DH, let him make that call. Good luck with everything.

 

[padams]

DH interviewed for a new job and got an offer today! He is very unhappy where he is now, and this new offer is with a company he worked for before (completely different division/location) so he's very excited about the opportunity.

The past 2 times he has changed jobs, we were given very generous moving packages plus a sign on bonus. This time, we won't have to move, so they obviously won't have any expense to move him for the new job. However, when they called to make the offer, they said there was no sign on bonus included. We also *might* have a short lapse in insurance coverage since they won't cover us until the first of the month, which will cost us $2000+ for COBRA if we need it during that time.

Unfortunately, there would only be a very small increase in pay, but still a very good salary for the position. So other than his own sanity , they really aren't offering him much incentive to go there. Since they obviously want him, I think maybe he should try to negotiate a sign on bonus since they don't have to pay a penny to move us and because of the lapse in insurance etc. Of course, his parents think he might mess up the offer by even asking, so now he doesn't know what to do.

Any thoughts?? Thanks!

Not in this economy. Be thankful for a job offer.

 

[gwynne]

DH interviewed for a new job and got an offer today! He is very unhappy where he is now, and this new offer is with a company he worked for before (completely different division/location) so he's very excited about the opportunity.

The past 2 times he has changed jobs, we were given very generous moving packages plus a sign on bonus. This time, we won't have to move, so they obviously won't have any expense to move him for the new job. However, when they called to make the offer, they said there was no sign on bonus included. We also *might* have a short lapse in insurance coverage since they won't cover us until the first of the month, which will cost us $2000+ for COBRA if we need it during that time.

Unfortunately, there would only be a very small increase in pay, but still a very good salary for the position. So other than his own sanity , they really aren't offering him much incentive to go there. Since they obviously want him, I think maybe he should try to negotiate a sign on bonus since they don't have to pay a penny to move us and because of the lapse in insurance etc. Of course, his parents think he might mess up the offer by even asking, so now he doesn't know what to do.

Any thoughts?? Thanks!

BBM...It is your DH's call. How did his parents find out about this? Who told them about the change and options he is considering? JMO, it's better to let parents know about a job change after you've made a decision, not before if you'd rather they didn't weigh in with their thoughts.
About negotiation--as others have noted, it really depends on your line of work whether negotiating is a great tactic these days. It could work, it could backfire. If he really wants the job, tread carefully here.

 

[mickeyboat]

As for COBRA, you have gotten some good advice. Your current coverage should not terminate until the end of the month your DH leaves his job. If your new coverage starts the first of the following month, you should be all set.

If there is no sign on bonus, there is no sign on bonus. Period. End of story. If your DH would like to negotiate, he should stick to negotiating salary or vacation time, not ask for a benefit that the company has not offered.

Personally if the job is what I wanted, and I was happy with what was offered, I would not negotiate for anything. When I took my last job, I negotiated for a slight salary increase and an extra week of vacation, since they were only offering two weeks.

Good luck!