[freeier]

frankly, with hk such a hot employment market, i simply don't understand why employer would make the big effort to send one of their better staff here and give a low ball offer.

the person is simply going to come to hk, talk to a few HH, get a better job and leave.

[Mat]

Is it 22.000 + housing or really only 22.000.
If only 22.000 then you should try to push it up to 30.000 which would allow you a correct lifestyle as a single.
if it is 22.000 + housing then it is not bad.

[humour]

totally agree w/ freeier !

debrax, can i ask you a question ?

1. Do you think that yr co. is a good company?
2. Can you guess (or do you know) why they want to send you to
HK w/ the salary lower than yr income in UK?

Pls do check yr mkt price in HK. Personally, yr price must be much higher than HKD22,000/mth. Pls correct me if I am wrong.

Ciao
hummmmmmmmmmmmmmour

[debrax]

Is it 22.000 + housing or really only 22.000.

Matt, it is only 22,000 a month, and that apparently is the upper limit of what they pay, so presumably, if I get that, then there's no chance of future rises.

Do you think that yr co. is a good company?

humour, my company is extremely well-thought of and generally treat their employee well, but not so to the foreign staff it seems. Apparently we are supposed to work for the prestige rather than the financial gain.

Can you guess (or do you know) why they want to send you to
HK w/ the salary lower than yr income in UK?

I don't know if this HK office is a cost-cutting exercise or a strategic move. If the first, than I guess we have the answer. People in the office also urged me to consider the possibility that maybe they'll send staff to HK for a year and then just fire us and hire entry level people at much lower cost.

[pdx]

Just curious: Why would they need to send you to HK to replace you with someone cheaper? Can't they just invent a way to cut you loose? Does it have to do with unemployment benefits?

Don't know what the UK's tax structure is relative to the U.S. system. But the U.S. system lets us earn $82K relatively tax-free while overseas. HK taxes are much lower. So when I worked in HK, I saved a nice chunk of change. I don't even watch my money that closely, although I'm not a spendaholic. I traveled, ate well, lived in a relatively nice and conveniently located flat in HK. Anyway, something to think about, on top of the whole adventure thing.

Adventure is good for the soul. I remember when I was fresh outta college and an older colleague told me how he'd once had a chance for adventure, passed it up and always wondered what it would've been like. Even as he said it, I thought: OK, that's not gonna be me in 30 years.

[debrax]

An update, had a chat with my boss yesterday about the salary in HK, I told her that I love my current job and had considered a strategic move for us to opening up a office in HK as an important step and that was why I wanted to be involved in it. But if I accept her offer of $22,000 a month, I would not be able to afford to stay in my job.

She expressed some sympathy but said she could not offer any more than $23,000 a month, which I guess is better than $22,000, but only ever so slightly. And she expects an answer before end of today.

Already wrote to her today telling her that it was kind of her and I appreciate her effort but unfortunately I cannot accept the salary offered. But, should she be able to find extra money, then I am still interested. Guess I'll stay in old London then.

Well, big thank you to everyone here! You have been most helpful. Still hoping my boss can find some more money to make it all possible.

[pdx]

Why not just look for another job in HK? I think it's insulting to be offered what they offered you, given your experience level and education. You can do much better. Even with negotiating, the point that they're starting with is so low, they'd have to double the offer to make it worth your while. Don't undersell yourself.

[humour]

pdx,

well said....can't agree w/ you any more !