What a dilemma...wife's company asks her to go to India

[CarDude]

OK so my wife is a Human Resources Director in a large company. She is known for her ability to clean up messes (she is called the Grim Reaper by some). She has just recently worked on a huge reorganization for her company, and the executives are very impressed. Well...today they asked if she could go to India (around six months) and clean up another mess. I asked her...what is in it for you?

We knew that something was in the works as her boss asked her if she would be open to some new opportunities (even if they were International)...she said sure.

Question is do you think she should tell them she would do it if they promote her? She has already spoke with her boss in the past about being promoted and her boss said that my wife was ready, but there were no slots to put her in. I am afraid that if my wife goes, she will be leaving her current position (which she likes) only to fill a temporary need. On her return she will need to take a different job (whether it is a promotion or not...and maybe not as good a position). As usual, they are telling her that is is great exposure for her career, and it could open doors for her in the future.

I hate promises...show me now. If she is good and you need her to do it, then pay her for it.

 

[amtrucker22]

I would think she would need to be compensated in some way even if it is temporary while she is over there. Maybe a nice LARGE per diem?

 

[CarDude]

I would think she would need to be compensated in some way even if it is temporary while she is over there. Maybe a nice LARGE per diem?

Believe it or not...they don't have a per diem. They spend huge amounts of money on travel, lodging, meals, and expenses, but they never have a per diem. They can typically stay at any hotel...it doesn't matter the price. Crazy I know.

 

[Prof]

You asked so here is my view.

There is the old parable "the boss says: show me what you can do and I will reward you...the employee says give me the raise and I will do the work..."

1. If the company is a good company they will care for your wife. If it is not a good company what is she doing there anyway?

2. Any time upper management makes a request there is only one thing for the upwardly oriented employee to do...go and do the very best job possible. You cannot make career decisions from a position of fear...and you cannot lead in an organization from a position of fear. Anything other than an enthusiastic acceptance of the task will forevermore seen as an assignment refusal.

You asked...I responded...I have been a CEO three times...I speak from experience.

 

[ntw0rk]

You asked so here is my view.

There is the old parable "the boss says: show me what you can do and I will reward you...the employee says give me the raise and I will do the work..."

1. If the company is a good company they will care for your wife. If it is not a good company what is she doing there anyway?

2. Any time upper management makes a request there is only one thing for the upwardly oriented employee to do...go and do the very best job possible. You cannot make career decisions from a position of fear...and you cannot lead in an organization from a position of fear. Anything other than an enthusiastic acceptance of the task will forevermore seen as an assignment refusal.

You asked...I responded...I have been a CEO three times...I speak from experience.

I agree!

Maybe this is a test. Could be that they have something larger in mind for her, but want to test her loyalties first. If you try to leverage against them, they may close the once open door.

My $.02

 

[CarDude]

You asked so here is my view.

There is the old parable "the boss says: show me what you can do and I will reward you...the employee says give me the raise and I will do the work..."

1. If the company is a good company they will care for your wife. If it is not a good company what is she doing there anyway?

2. Any time upper management makes a request there is only one thing for the upwardly oriented employee to do...go and do the very best job possible. You cannot make career decisions from a position of fear...and you cannot lead in an organization from a position of fear. Anything other than an enthusiastic acceptance of the task will forevermore seen as an assignment refusal.

You asked...I responded...I have been a CEO three times...I speak from experience.

My wife has proven herself. She has consistantly been rewarded (at the end of these special projects), but this request involves personal risk. She is a tall caucasian blond women, who will stick out like a sore thumb.

I personally turned down a very, very lucrative offer to work in Iraq. They were going to pay me for the associated risk...with no promise of future opportunities. The opposite is true here... No extra incentive...large risk...and only promises of future benefit. Again...my wife is ready and more than capable of the "next step", why should she not leverage the situation. Any smart business person would. I don't believe she would be taking inappropriate advantage of the situation. It seems like a win-win to me. They need her for her special talents...they should darn well pay for them. We all work for money in our "jobs"; stop paying people and see how many continue to show up.

If she leaves for six months...I have to take care of all eleven dogs and all five cars...

 

[Texas Yellow Fever]

You asked so here is my view.

There is the old parable "the boss says: show me what you can do and I will reward you...the employee says give me the raise and I will do the work..."

1. If the company is a good company they will care for your wife. If it is not a good company what is she doing there anyway?

2. Any time upper management makes a request there is only one thing for the upwardly oriented employee to do...go and do the very best job possible. You cannot make career decisions from a position of fear...and you cannot lead in an organization from a position of fear. Anything other than an enthusiastic acceptance of the task will forevermore seen as an assignment refusal.

You asked...I responded...I have been a CEO three times...I speak from experience.

Well said and very true, every word. If she asks what's in it for her it will likley ruin the future opportunity...assuming there is one...which one has to do.

 

[Prof]

Sounds like you came here looking for validation of your opinions not input...

Sorry, I stepped on your toes.

Roy out.

 

[TREKER]

OK so my wife is a Human Resources Director in a large company. She is known for her ability to clean up messes.

Have her just come to my house. The place is a pig sty.

 

[CarDude]

Sounds like you came here looking for validation of your opinions not input...

Sorry, I stepped on your toes.

Roy out.

That is not what I am saying...don't be so defensive. I am trying to give details of the whole situation. I posted because I am asking for input...to see all side of the story.

 

[BurntRubber]

2 things come to my mind?

1. Do you want your wife gone for 6 months with out you? (do you really need to make more money or her devote more time to her career?)

2. If she goes do you want me to drive one of your cars...ugh, Viper, ugh?

 

[Nowwhat]

If they have been good to your wife in the past you should assume they will continue to do so. A go anywhere anytime team player is a rare and valuable asset for a company, one they will tend to pay for and keep happy. I would not rate India anymore dangerous for a woman than I would Altanta, Chicago or Los Angeles...

 

[ntw0rk]

I would not rate India anymore dangerous for a woman than I would Altanta, Chicago or Los Angeles...

That's what I was thinking too...

Actually sounds like an interesting opportunity to see the world!

 

[newmexicoviper]

Well i spent some time (almost 8years) working international and it did great things for me. It's also one of the reason's i now have my own business. But either way the pay is always better (in my experience) and it looks great on a resume. I would say go for it.

 

[CarDude]

That's what I was thinking too...

Actually sounds like an interesting opportunity to see the world!

It is funny...I think that everyone is correct. We just all have a different view points and different motivators.

 

[Manic]

Curious, what happen with your caddy Cardude?

 

[CarDude]

Curious, what happen with your caddy Cardude?

Thanks for asking...Cadillac has agreed to repurchase it but they are pretty insistent that I purchase a GM. As such, they are offering their car at actual cost, but they are charging me for usuage on my existing car. I have decided to purchase a 2008 Cadillac CTS AWD DI (Motor Trend Car of the Year :shot: because I always buy based on what critics think). It should do better in the snow than my current vehicle and it has some pretty neat stuff.

 

[Manic]

Good choice, the '08 CTS is a beautiful car with an amazing interior. I wish you all the best with it in the future. When do you take ownership?

Will

PS. Update your sig.

 

[Silverback]

It's a shit job.

And I speak from experience about shit jobs. I have been assigned these types of jobs a number of times in my career. I always do my best regardless of whether I like the job or not, and I succeed at pulling it off.

Based on my performance at these types of jobs I'm in the top 5 paywise for my skill code within the company.

And Roy is correct, they reward you for your performance. Do the job, and the pay will come.

And believe me, if she does the job well, she will have a good job to come back to.

 

[CarDude]

Good choice, the '08 CTS is a beautiful car with an amazing interior. I wish you all the best with it in the future. When do you take ownership?

Will

PS. Update your sig.

The actual order was just placed on the 10th so probably not until January sometime.