Salary Negotiations

[laeth]

Hi guys,

I've been offered a role in Finland on X amount of Euros a month (contract included in the offer) and was wondering what the normal process for salary negotiation is in Finland? Is it considered normal to negotiate salary or is it frowned upon?

Thanks a lot!

[CH]

It depends a bit on the job. As far as I know, municipal and state jobs follow strictly a set salary list, and I'm sure there are other type of jobs that do the same thing, so there is no salary negotiations there. But for most other private sector jobs there is room for salary negotiations or negotiations about other benefits. The potential employer usually asks for the applicants to state their salary request in the job application, and the employer states their offer when they offer you a job... and you go from there. But anyway... yes, salary and other benefit negotiations is normal here.

Do note, though, that the employers often says that "we will pay this now, but at the first performance review/at the end of the year we will check your salary" or something similar... making it to sound that you will get a raise then. Well... yeah... or not. So don't take it as a promise, unless your contract says that at x time you will get your salary raised to y.

[rinso]

Is it considered normal to negotiate salary or is it frowned upon?

If the offer is in line with the normal salary range for that kind of job, asking (much) more will look greedy.
You might unknowingly ask for a salary beyond your skills and experience. And that could create tension with the other employees.
If you negotiate, make sure you know what is acceptable and what not.

[Oombongo]

If you negotiate, make sure you know what is acceptable and what not.

True dat!
perhaps if you have written what position it is and/or in which sector then someone would have written the median salary, and this might have given you some idea to start the ball rolling.

[Liam1]

If you are coming from abroad, I would definitely negotiate! If it is with the same company i.e. a transfer at their request, I would expect that they deal in net salaries and some incentive, but within boundaries that doesn't make your salary too high for its job grade.

I agree with the others that you want to maintain credibility, but they are recruiting you here for a reason (read all the posts about plentiful supply of locals)! Also if (I think from your other post), you are coming from the UK, taxes and cost of living is lower in the UK, so they must appreciate that you are coming here and wouldn't want to be made worse off (especially as your partner won't be working). I'd also check a few details - like your holiday entitlement Year 1 (can vary and as you get paid for earned holiday at the end of your stay, getting a few weeks "unearned" is actually quite a good "signing on bonus"). Sure you have noticed, but company cars are not great deals here and the cost of buying one is high, but if you are staying for only a few years and want hassle fre driving may be worth checking.

Finally, unless things have changed in past 2 years, if you are earning enough and wanting to live where local taxes are high, there is an "expert tax regime" that charges a flat 35% (+ ca 5% for unemployment/pension). This may come into play.

Good luck

[Pursuivant]

And things which in the UK are considered "benefits", like health care, pension, holidays etc. are mandatory so not a "benefit" as they can't not give that. Also, things like a company phone and laptop are these days "taken for granted". Company car depends on your pay class, but its a can of hairy worms, espacially with taxation. A company flat is a possibility - usually though especially for newcomers the company HR needs to step in as a guarantor, as landlords don't necessarily trust funny foreigners. (and the rental contracts are usually rolling ones per calendar month - that is also all in a law so theres no inventing own terms)

As far as the salary goes, theres a few comprehensive union contracts that set the minimum salary for a job & job spec... now finding which one it is... tuietoalojen liitto etc... or then you can just call up the tax office and get the guy who is interviewing you tax records and figure it out - it is a public record after all

[laeth]

Thanks for all the replies guys . They wanted an answer pretty quickly, but I managed to get a bit more money and some more money on the relocation costs they are providing. They do provide private medical insurance and it seems pretty good (company doctor and dedicated centres for the company in and around Helsinki), plus they are going to rent our apartment themselves and cover all deposits and the like, then take the rent out of my salary (gives some tax breaks apparently?).

Anyway, thanks again for all your replies - much appreciated.