Ok. It's time to help me negotiate!

[hamster]

I got my job offer. I'm ok with it, but I don't need health insurance because I'm on H's. The value of the insurance is $450 per month. I would prefer to just have that rolled into my salary instead. So, how do I ask for that? I've never actually negotiated.

[Deleted]

Here's the tricky part for the company - it's hard for them to get a guarantee that you'll never ASK for the insurance in the future. My understanding is that, since it's a benefit, they can't NOT offer it to you come open enrollment.

So - I might focus instead on other reasons (experience, etc) that would drive your salary up.

[ddi741]

I agree with pp, If they give you more $ for not taking it that might set a precedent for having to do it in the future for others. Plus as a benefit they have to offer it to you every year.

[Deleted]

These are the reasons it's tricky for them to accept your offer, but that certainly doesn't mean she shouldn't ask!

First, do you have other reasons you want to negotiate the salary. Start with those.

Second, for the health insurance, you're saving them $5400. I'd start by asking that and negotiate down. Some might companies might say no or have a nominal amount they give to employees who do not take the health insurance (maybe $500 or $1,000). But some might play ball. I have heard of this being a separate annual payment that would not be part of regular salary to avoid the concerns about future years (i.e., if you take health insurance in future years, you don't get the "bonus").

[calimae]

Can you ask if they do cash in lieu of benefits?

(We have this option at my work if you can prove you have other coverage. It is not the full amount of what they would pay if you were under their health insurance, so they save some money and I get an extra $250 a month.)

[hamster]

Jan 17, 2013 14:56:49 GMT -5 @totsintosa said:

These are the reasons it's tricky for them to accept your offer, but that certainly doesn't mean she shouldn't ask!

First, do you have other reasons you want to negotiate the salary. Start with those.

Second, for the health insurance, you're saving them $5400. I'd start by asking that and negotiate down. Some might companies might say no or have a nominal amount they give to employees who do not take the health insurance (maybe $500 or $1,000). But some might play ball. I have heard of this being a separate annual payment that would not be part of regular salary to avoid the concerns about future years (i.e., if you take health insurance in future years, you don't get the "bonus").

The job wanted three years of writing experience. I have six, so that's definitely helpful in my ability to negotiate.

Any idea how I should word all of this?

And I'm so glad you're back!

[Deleted]

I am not the expert at negotiations, but I will give it some thought. Hopefully Balki will show up with her expertise in this area.

[aurora]

First, congrats on your offer!

I have heard of some companies increasing salary in lieu of benefits but don't forget these are treated differently than regular salary in terms of taxes so it might not be as simple as just transferring the funds.

I would say something like: "I'm excited to have your offer to join the team at [Company Name]! The salary is a little lower than I was hoping [it's best if you can give some statistics for your field and area here]. $x would be more in line with my experience level. Since I'm covered by DH's health insurance, perhaps we could make up some of that difference by not putting me on [Company's] health insurance policy to save you the premiums."

You should definitely have this conversation by phone rather than email. Remember that most professionals expect a salary negotiation, so it will not be unexpected. As long as you remain polite and professional and use the perspective about what you bring to the company and what is normal for your field, you don't really have anything to lose.

[Deleted]

I like aurora's suggestion, but I'd add an "Additionally" to the sentence about the health insurance. I would try to keep these separate issues. Yes, you're talking about overall compensation, but you're doing two different things: (1) getting more $$$ based on your experience; and (2) getting some of the money they'll be saving because you won't be using their health benefits.

[genet313]

I am just starting a new job, and am opting out of the firm's insurance (which is provided through an outside carrier, they are too small to have their own plan).  When I told them I didn't need it, they still offered to pay me the credit in salary, so it can be done.  It's certainly worth asking for. 

[hamster]

Jan 17, 2013 15:09:51 GMT -5 aurora said:

First, congrats on your offer!

I have heard of some companies increasing salary in lieu of benefits but don't forget these are treated differently than regular salary in terms of taxes so it might not be as simple as just transferring the funds.

I would say something like: "I'm excited to have your offer to join the team at [Company Name]! The salary is a little lower than I was hoping [it's best if you can give some statistics for your field and area here]. $x would be more in line with my experience level. Since I'm covered by DH's health insurance, perhaps we could make up some of that difference by not putting me on [Company's] health insurance policy to save you the premiums."

You should definitely have this conversation by phone rather than email. Remember that most professionals expect a salary negotiation, so it will not be unexpected. As long as you remain polite and professional and use the perspective about what you bring to the company and what is normal for your field, you don't really have anything to lose.

The guy is actually out of town, and has been doing everything over email, so I know it's his preferred method of communication. Plus I'm pretty sure my voice would get all squeeky, I'd talk too fast, and cave under pressure.

Thanks for the wording suggestion!

Now it's time to cross fingers. And then you'll all get to tell me how to give my notice tomorrow, lol.

[Deleted]

Um, by the way: CONGRATULATIONS HAMSTER on the job offer

[dr.girlfriend]

I would focus more on comparative salaries, ways you exceed the criteria in experience, etc., and throw in the parts about benefits.

[hamster]

Jan 17, 2013 15:55:34 GMT -5 @shoegal said:

Um, by the way: CONGRATULATIONS HAMSTER on the job offer

Thanks! It sounds like a great place to work. Plus I can still wear jeans to the office. It will cut down on my lunch-time Target runs though. Not clear if that's a positive or negative yet though.

[Deleted]

Jeans in the office is a definite plus! That would be dangerous for me, a really good excuse to buy jeans - "but, they are work clothes!" Less lunch-time Target runs means you can save the money and / or buy more jeans, right!?

[phoenixrising]

Where I work, I could get several extra dollars per hour for not opting into the health insurance, so it is not unheard of. I do have our insurance, but some of my coworkers do not. If they later opt in to our health insurance, they just lose that bump in hourly rate.