Tinker ☀️May 16, 2025

Tip for folks outside the US that want to hire folks within the US....

...when discussing compensation don't lead with the wages/salary.

In the US, almost all of our compensation is salary based.

Our health insurance (NOT healthcare. Insurance), often requires us to:
- Pay out of our wage into insurance just to get it
- Pay out of pocket (insurance does not apply) until we reach a deductible
- Pay high "co-pays" out of pocket even when insurance covers some of the medical care
- Pay for our own prescription medications
- Pay astronomically for any emergency care

Our "retirement" (HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!) is just us investing in the stockmarket and requires that we take money out of our salary to buy stocks (if we're lucky, our employer "matches" a contribution up to like 2% or whatever - but you don't get that unless you pay first).

We often don't even get paid time off! Some of us are lucky and get a week PTO and some sick days off per year. But that's in we're lucky. I personally don't get any paid time off. I can take days, sure, but I don't get paid for them. I can take a sick day off, but I don't get paid for it. Holidays are bitter sweet.... yay Christmas, but I better save up for that forced time off without pay.

So for us in the US, the wage / salary is quite literally everything.

If you have social programs like healthcare, retirement, maternity/paternity leave, holidays, even sick leave... attach a monetary equivalency number to it and LEAD WITH IT.

I just had a friend who got an amazing offer to move to and work in the Netherlands and his absolute initial disappointment at seeing a "very high salary" at less than half what he makes now just gut punched him.

It took him a bit to realize that he got all these other things that he normally pays for out of pocket individually.... and the add-up was phenomenal and paid SO MUCH MORE than his current total compensation.

#brainDrain #fediHire

Show thread__Miguel_

@tinker
Good post.

Though I'm assuming everyone else will start with the salary upfront because, quite literally, EVERYTHING ELSE IS EXPECTED, or most likely, legally mandated.

So leading with what everyone already knows they're getting, or perks of the job, is completely contrary to the expectations of anyone in the EU, both for employers and employees.

Now someone please tell US peeps that in many places in Europe you're paid 14 months in a year... Yes, it's called vacation and Christmas pay 😉

May 16, 2025 at 3:06pmWeb
Show threadTinker ☀️May 16, 2025

@nanianmichaels - That's my point though.

That is what they're doing right now.

So, yes, that is was is expected outside of the US, but not was is expected inside the US, so if you are attempting to get a person inside the US to work outside the US, you will want to lead with it.

Or don't.

And you'll scare away a a good chunk of the folks youre trying to hire.