What are your thoughts? Pros and cons?
25 replies (most recent on top)
@FyV9l9A. Who says they get to keep there job? You only bang them till they give up the back door. Then time for a new one.
You do realize that the housemaids with benefits are doing what they are agreeing to do with you because they are afraid of losing their jobs as they have children and families to feed. What does that make you?
Thank you Anonymous for sharing your thoughts on the benefits and disadvantages of being an ex-pat. I am sorry you paid such a high price by missing out on your children lifes. Money just can't make up for those kind of losses. Ignore the heartless comments that fill this thread. I heard you.
It's so funny when one person gives his or her opinion how so many people are thinking there job is safe. Little do they know there next! Then they will think differently . So those that have been laid off as I ; I brushed off my tail got a better job and are way happier . ConocoPhillips is a clannish bunch of suck face ass holes. Good luck you remaining few you're days are short. No need to respond cause I don't give a rats ass!
I am two of the three mentioned by 1mdr and I have always put my companies first. I have been an expat since 1989 and if anyone tells you it is not about the money, they are lying. Even the person running away from a nasty divorce is in it for the money. You sacrifice friends and family. You send you kids away when they are 13. You prostitute yourself to the company. Yes there are many benefits but they can never cover the loss not matter what the pay. I will have a lot of money when I retire but I will spend it in years of dwindling health and among few friends. Being an expat is a lot of responsibility. You are there for a reason and not to boost your ego. Being an expat can also help your career. I think being an expat with small children is the best scenario. Being a single expat can be good or bad depending on location. I have had many housemaids but never with benefits although I know many expats that enjoy them. Being an expat puts a target on your back. You are only as good as your next mistake. I have known a few quality expats and a ton of idiots. No matter what you take away at the end of your assignment, it will never make up for he lost years with family and your kids in boarding school.
@1mdr is definitely is a single male and likely one without a degree or a high training level. The immature response reveals the typical mentality, not that there's any wrong with that if you're single.
Con: first to be laid off in a downturn as you're more expensive than your local alternative
Tax equalization
Pros
Different work environment, new work experience, and additional networking.
Expat looks pretty good on a resume.
Experience different cultures and get to travel to places possibly not able to from home.
Increase in base pay, housing allowance, goods & services allowance, travel allowance all allow you to save a lot of money (hopefully retire just a little earlier)
Cons
Away from friends and family (could be a pro for some)
Culture shock (depending on where you are going and how traveled you are)
Being special enough to get expat assignment in the first instance.
Home, etc,etc paid for.
School in Switzerland for my 3 kids. What did not kill them made them stronger.
Trailing spouse (he) got to improve his golf handicap.
$,$,$
Oh, experience of different cultures, etc. However only when I had to during work time. Preferred to stay in the CVX housing compound with others like me.
Networking - has helped me keep a job for the moment.
No Cons I can think of.
If you like to travel, that's your perk. If you like stability and a homey feeling all around you - you will not like it.. Agree with other posters, I remember this maid... OK, I'll stop here...
@smg - that's a good one. It's a PRO
Depends on the location.
Pros: $$, house staff, R&Rs, living like billionaires live in the usofa, networking, incredible local vacations Americans consider exotic, $$
Cons: Retards (I mean nationals), other expats (who are so stupid they think that they're special), living next to a person you work with (don't piss in the yard with the dogs when you're drunk), working for this shill company in general
Btw... 1 every year. No bull
Con of being an expat is feeling like a vagabond. You know this is not a place where you will be settling and building your dream home so it feels like time wasted in that respect. Pro is opportunity to travel, see the world, and experience new culture that you would not otherwise get the chance to experience.
I am not sure who you think is priortizing themselves over the company exactly, but I can tell you that I have been extremely loyal and added plenty of production, reserves and reduced costs for the company for many years as an expat. I simply was replying to the question of the original poster.
LOL @ "housemaid with benefits"! Goes right along with" being away from the wife ". Maybe also being away from those" femnazis" in the Houston offices.
Professional Expats receive the best in benefits because they are the best professionals the company has. But, based on all the previous comments, IF you all are indeed expats, is a good reason why you should be recalled to your home country and laid off. Real professionals are all about company first, not yourself first.
The recognition that I am superior to locals
The money, nothing else is a commitment by the company, depending on the location. I have seen them add benefits and take them away. Beyond the money, the R and Rs, cost of living, social networking and professional experience are ones I have experienced. I am still not sure pros outweigh the cons after all of these years for me.
Smg, LOL is that pro or con?
Gardener, valet, driver, housemaid with benefits...
Being away from the wife
Free travel, food and accommodation
Company paid private schools for kids