contract role

[lookingatsg]

I am a US based lawyer considering a contract role in Singapore. Unlike the US where the contract rate is typically per hour, the salary/compensation is listed in $ per month. How does this work with public holidays, sick leave, etc? How does one get medical insurance for the family? What should I be keeping in mind? Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[sundaymorningstaple]

If you are a lawyer in a legal department of a corporation, then the only difference between full time employment and contract employment will be the duration. All benefits are to be negotiated as a lawyer is not subject to The Employment Act, .

http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/

So at the end of the day, it's up to you to negotiate the best deal you can and be sure to get your housing, transport, kids schooling, medical all thrown into the package. A search of this forum will give you a good indication of the various costs of living here.

Good Luck.

sms

[lookingatsg]

Thanks a bunch for your response. Good to know this! I'll do a search as well. It is an in-house role in a financial services company (not a bank, unfortunately) Let's see how many extras they will throw in with the package. I have solid industry experience (5 years PQE, 5 years pre law degree but post MBA industry experience). But, the catch, no APAC experience.

Any thoughts on the numbers I should expect? I have looked at salary guides from hudson/hays etc but the range is wide and direct input from any of you would also be welcome. I just hope they match or come close to my current salary in the US. As much as I want, really want, this move to the Asia Pacific region, taking a pay cut will be hard.

Thanks again, in advance.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Unfortunately, the legal, financial and medical sectors are not my forte so I will have to defer to others for that info. Maybe brittanny has some ideas as I think she may well be in that line or related.

[brittanny]

are you being offered an in-hse permanent / contractual role? benefits may differ esp leave days n sick leave/medical

gen rule: in-hse roles are less lucrative mainly due to the fact that unlike a revenue churner in a law practice, you are an expense to the company

unless the company can offer you a mgmt position of a VP or SVP or Head Legal that comes with "competitive" salary, it may be unlikely to match whatever you are getting back home

alot of ppl move in-hse for alot of different reasons: better work life balance, no time sheets or billings, the opportunity to become more commercially involved in the running of a business yada yada yada

good news is that for in-hse roles in sg, financial sector pays higher than any other sectors, only after or same par as oil/gas or energy / shipping sectors

also, like other profession, alot of ppl move to sg for alot of other reasons too: low tax rates, good base for those who wish to explore and travel to other asian countries, APAC experience & exposure yada yada yada

do your math, do a search on your taxes (which has been discussed in this forum numerous times), and like any other contract: negotiate commercially!

the hudson guide is ok, but there's alot of feedbacks that it can be misleading

[lookingatsg]

Thank you for your response.

The role, it is a contract in-house role. I am also in-house here in the US, same industry but larger company.

I'll do a further search on taxes. Singapore taxes are very attractive, even if I take a direct 15% approach (like Hong Kong) especially when compared to 35-37% tax in the US.

Lots to think about. I'll keep you all posted once we get somewhere.

Thanks again![/list]