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Everything
is negotiable. Other installments of the Salary.com negotiation clinic
have dealt with base salary, bonuses, stock options, and other benefits.
You can also negotiate what happens in the transition from one job
to another. You can even negotiate when you’re going to negotiate.
COBRA
payments
At some companies, medical insurance benefits don’t kick in on
your first day of work. You might have to wait 30 or even 60 days
before your new medical insurance coverage begins. Although that waiting
period is fixed, you can try to get your new employer to pay your
COBRA insurance from your previous job. Under COBRA (the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985), your employer must offer
to continue your medical insurance when you leave your job, at a higher
premium, for a defined period of time (at least 18 months). If there
is a waiting period before your new medical insurance coverage begins,
you may be able to get your new employer to pay your COBRA premium
for that amount of time.
Relocation
benefits
Relocation doesn't necessarily mean moving from San Diego to
Dubuque. Even if you stay within the same state but add another
35 or 40 miles to your commute, some companies will offer an additional
incentive for commuting time or perhaps even relocation assistance.
Then
again, you may just have to move to get that dream job. What's negotiable
in a relocation package? If you're at a certain level, basically
all the expenses incurred in the sale and purchase of a new house
might be negotiable: broker's fee; legal fees; new driver's license;
phone, electric, and cable hookups; cleaning of the new residence;
a service to help your spouse find a job; car allowances; and so
on. Be sure you consider differences in cost of living and that
your negotiated package takes that into account.
Accelerated
performance review
If you can't get the salary you want up front, but the job is
still attractive, you might be able to negotiate an accelerated
performance review. Try asking for a review for salary in three
months (as opposed to the standard six months to a year) to get
more money faster.
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Linda Jenkins, Salary.com contributor
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