Working for a US company remotely from Europe

I was offered a remote role in a promising US-based startup with funding guaranteed and excellent base pay. The share I would get is significant, although I have my doubts. At the moment, I have a good high-paying, high-position job and I would not like to quit it, which would mean I would need to start doing 16 hour days, unless it is allowed to move part of my work hours to weekends. In addition, the timezone difference is huge, which would mean I would need to stay up till 2-4 AM. I would still need to get my 8 hours of sleep.

The work culture in US is another concern for me. Correct me if I am wrong, as this is just hearsay, I have heard from friends working in US:

I am afraid overtime is expected, which would make my time management complex, as I have 24 hours just like everybody else. Burnout is a considerable risk. If I could put part of my workload to weekends, that might solve the issue.

I highly value team work and growth, while the cuIture tends to be more individualistic and very competitive, even among employees, there. In my role, I would try to instill such culture, although I am not sure how easy it is to convince people.

Vacations is another issue I see. Currently, I receive 2 months of paid leave per year. Recharging/travelling is important for me. I would need to negotiate the terms well.

I love challenges and exploring new areas, which is why I am seriously considering it. It would be amazing opportunity.

Could somebody working in US describe the work culture as well whether my assumptions are correct or not. Has anybody experience working from Europe remotely in US?

a reply to: Cabin

Seeing as the company is still in startup mode and has yet to settle their culture perhaps it is a good idea to discuss these concerns directly with your contact at the company as relayed in your OP as to what constitutes a favorable work environment in your eyes in a way that showcases your desire and commitment to create a huge success that is ultimately tied to the success of the company itself.


Their answer should give you a good idea whether it is worth it or not to leave the comfort and security of your current job.

a reply to: Cabin

Your current position sounds pretty good.

Not sure how the firm would handle your vacation. In the USA, it usually takes at least 5 years with a firm to get three weeks of paid annual vacation. They may operate differently for a Europe-based hire, I expect they have to align with EU law.

Ask lots of questions about how taxes will be handled. Ideally, the firm would include a firm to prepare your taxes as a benefit.

Determine in which currency you will be paid. If paid in dollars, there are conversion and transfer fees to where you are located.

Also determine how money is deducted to support the social pension scheme for the country you're in. The USA has agreements about such with most EU countries, but you need to know the specifics.

Bear in mind economies across the entire West are shaky at the moment. Might be best to stay with what you have.

Cheers

From the UK ut US worker rights are pretty much non-existant - turned down a job over there for those reasons - there's a decent list here: Emploment law UK vs US

Based in the US - I have NEVER known even one worker who has taken two months of vacation. Some have taken parental or medical leave but never just for a vacation. Most workers only received two to three weeks of leave and most don't take all of it. So even if they allow more vacation or PTO - don't expect you can tell your US based boss you are scheduling a six week vacation - what is officially accrued and what you can really take are two very, very different things in the US.

There are some companies that allow unlimited leave - that's an accounting trick. They know employees won't take more than a week or two because if they do, they will be fired. Since it's unlimited and not a specific amount by law, they don't have to pay you for unused leave.

And yes, at the management level, most US companies expect at least some overtime. The amount depends on the culture.

Oh and funding for a start-up doesn't mean that funding is going to be spent on employees!

a reply to: Cabin


Don’t do it!

a reply to: Cabin
I don't care what the US company wants but it depends in what country you live in. My son and daughter work for a large US company and they HAVE TO abide by UK employment law. But anything above that is down to you negotiating.

a reply to: Cabin

I known some guys work in Poland on a project, our union guy helped them make a signed deal with the boss, so no matter what they where guarantied their share. You do have a solid off site contract right ?

a reply to: Cabin

If you come here, plan on working way too much since most of the young seem not to want to work and produce what they should anymore. We always have had some that just wanted a paycheck and not work, but the number of people now that are like that has doubled at minimum.

I personally would think you should be cautious with making this move. It depends also on where and what you are starting here, some areas still have decent work ethics of employees, but it is diminishing fast these days. I sure wouldn't want to be an employer these days around here that employed the younger people. A lot of older people seem to be working longer because the young produce less of what we need done around here these days. When an old person produces as much as a twenty some year old person...we got some problems in the future.

a reply to: Daughter2

Oh and funding for a start-up doesn't mean that funding is going to be spent on employees!

All true just want to add; when the funding runs out in 1,2,3 years you are out of a job. Also what happens is startup company gets it going and then sells it to new company, who then down the road sells it again causing a lot of strife. One example is always having prove yourself to the new company executives or management depending on your level of employment or they just cut your position all together.

a reply to: Cabin

Might be worth looking into......might.

Overall and for the most part, the work culture in the US is dehumanizing and toxic. At least "in person" working. Maybe remote work would be ok.

If you do, don't be overly productive.....just do what's asked. If you do more, more will be expected as they can't much in the way of more from the drones they employ within the US.