We could use some advice...

[dpot]

Thanks Irvine,

I'm afraid that my wife is intensely private, and would have a difficult time sharing a home with others. However, I appreciate your salary advice...I'm beginning to see a pattern among people I've polled, the pay sounds a tad low. If I taught at NUS, I would expect at least $100,000/yr, but they do not have a religion department, per se, so that is out of the question. I don't think the school provides housing; while they do have dormitories, they are only small, one-room units...we'd probably go crazy living in such a small space. A friend of ours from Singapore was visiting last night, and she said that there are condos (not HDB) that are subsidised by the government--she said those would be less expensive than private condos. Does anyone know what she might be referring to? Is there a special name for these?

[sundaymorningstaple]

She might be referring the the SHiFT housing provided by JTC (Jurong Town Corporation). These are actually owned by the JTC and rented out but have rather strict conditions and are not always available and in a area where you want when you want. See here for more information:

http://www.jtc.gov.sg/products/readybui ... index.aspx

[macaroonie]

Some of the christian colleges usually have their own housing for their lecturers, have you explored this option?

And what about a bonus? Did they say they will pay you a performance bonus? This might help out in your budgeting and may be even more than the $5K increase you want.

Good luck!

[dpot]

Macaroonie,

Thanks for your thoughts, however, no such housing option exists with the college. Also, they said nothing about a performance bonus, only that they pay a 13th month bonus. I'm still finishing my thesis here in the UK, so we will not get down to the nitty-gritty of salary negotiations for a few months. Of course, I plan to apply all the helpful questions/suggestions I've received here when the college and I have that discussion.

[Adam.C]

Unless you have a car, cross out stayin in Malaysia. The commute is terrible and the crowd is a headache. You don't want to start your day in chaos.

Yes, expats don't always get good offers around here. So it would be advisable to let your wife do the talking.

[dpot]

Thanks for the heads-up Adam.

[BazaY]

hi dpot,

Hope your Singapore adventures have not stopped since your last post.
Have you actually moved to Singapore ?
Have you found accommodations as hoped ?

others,
It is the first time I hear about 13th salary in Singapore ? Is it a common practice ?

on the other hand, .. which are the most common extras in the salary packages that all/most of the companies will provide to their employees ? (e.g.: medical/life insurance, 13rd salary, pay for the commute, meals vouchers, etc, etc)

what is CFP ?

[x9200]

It is the first time I hear about 13th salary in Singapore ? Is it a common practice ?

Relatively common. I guess more common in bigger and State owned enterprises/institutions.

on the other hand, .. which are the most common extras in the salary packages that all/most of the companies will provide to their employees ? (e.g.: medical/life insurance, 13rd salary, pay for the commute, meals vouchers, etc, etc)
what is CFP ?

No rule I think and it starts with the question whether this is an expat type of the contract or a local one. If expat, then I would say housing and some travel (to/from the country of origin) allowance, something for children education, sometimes medical and car.
CFP is likely CPF.

[BazaY]

No rule I think and it starts with the question whether this is an expat type of the contract or a local one. If expat, then I would say housing and some travel (to/from the country of origin) allowance, something for children education, sometimes medical and car.

and if local ?

CFP is likely CPF.

and CPF ?

[x9200]

No rule I think and it starts with the question whether this is an expat type of the contract or a local one. If expat, then I would say housing and some travel (to/from the country of origin) allowance, something for children education, sometimes medical and car.

and if local ?

No rules. Often can be even mixed expat-like style.

CFP is likely CPF.

and CPF ?

Google on vacation ?

[sundaymorningstaple]

13th Month Bonus (Annual Wage Supplement or AWS)

The 13th month bonus came about during the change from paying every two weeks/4 weeks (26 or 13 pay periods) to 1or 2x a month. (12 or 24 pay periods). This, as I understand it, came about due to early accounting systems that used 12 monthly periods only. Employers, when making the change, left the amounts payable per pay period the same but at the end of the years a bonus equal to the difference of the annualized salary was paid out (which was equal to the new monthly rate or 4 weeks under the old pay method) Under the old system you were getting paid 13x a year. Now you are still getting 12 pmts a years but you are getting a little bit less each pay period but at the end of the year you are given a 13th payment to make up the difference.

The problem is, employers never gave an increment when they did away with the 13th month bonus as it's never been a law, except in Union Shops where companies have traditionally paid the bonus. And most employees who were working when the switch was made have all retired now. All the rest? Well, let's say, if you get it (and it might not be a full month's wages) be thankful as lots of employers used the financial meltdown back in '97 to claim they couldn't pay it.

You would have to have it specifically written into your contract today to ensure receipt otherwise, they will use it as a tool.

[dpot]

Sorry, I've been busy for a while (new baby boy, finishing the Ph.D., work, etc)...I've just begun to speak with the college once again now that I'm within months of submitting my dissertation. It will probably be another month or two before anything is definite, but I thank you for your help/interest, and I will continue to educate myself on Singapore by revisiting this page and others in the meantime.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Glad to hear Singapore is still on your radar screen. Hope it all works out.

[ksl]

Don't want to burst your bubble OP, but being a Brit myself, and knowing the size of condo's to be like typical British houses put us off, we purchased a 150 Sq mtr HDB Maisonette. I also know a couple of Singaporeans that purchased a Condo and are regretting it too, because of size restriction.

Its better to view first! Your package appears to be a local package rather than an expat package and not taking your PhD into account!

[dpot]

So, just an update. I spoke with the school again, and the board feels positive about my application, however, the interviewer tells me that they do not encash the CPF in cases like mine.

Hmmmm....I tried to subtly imply that by not compensating me in this way is slightly discriminatory. In other words, they make a CPF budgetary allowance for a citizen/pr (its the law, after all!), yet not for expats. I can understand why they would want forgo that expense, but it seems a bit silly if they hope to recruit talented people for the long term. As the saying goes, 'If you pay peanuts, don't be surprised if you get monkeys.'

Anyway, I realise it isn't personal, and they are a good group of people. I'll wait until I get an offer before I get too worked up about it, but I think I'll just negotiate a salary level which adds in the equivalent of the CPF and see what they say.

Thanks everyone for tuning in....