Job Discussion Forums

katy · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 7

Can anyone tell me what the benefit of having a UK contract is when taking a job abroad? What's in it for me and why would an employer offer one?

Any thoughts welcome. Thanks.

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

If it's in somewhere like Italy it's so that the employer can avoid expensive social security and health costs.

katy · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 7

It's somewhere exactly like Italy. Is that it? Is that the only reason, and does this mean my national insurance in the UK would be paid instead?

SueH · Joined: 01 Feb 2003 Posts: 1022 Location: Northern Italy

Any arrangement would be between you and your employer, but I suspect they'd rather pay our lower rates of NI and tax on what are probably (?) rather low overseas earnings.

Read any contract carefully!

31 · Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1797

What difference does it make? The salary is going to be low and in what court would you go to get your pittance if it all goes wrong?

rogan · Joined: 03 Mar 2003 Posts: 416 Location: at home, in France

Katy,

If you are a Brit working for a British company, even though you are based abroad (sic) - it means that you pay British NI and Income tax.

The benefits for you :-
1. You can go back to the UK and claim unemployment benefit without any problems when the contract finishes.
2. You will be contributing to your old age pension (however far away in time that it is)
3. If, or when, the brown smelly stuff hits the fan, you will be able to use British Employment law and Industrial tribunals to claim compensation. You would probably be entitled to legal aid to help you do this. If not, any British based Trade Union would back your claim and provide legal representation.

The benefits for the employer :-
1. Who cares, it won't improve your salary.

Stephen Jones · Joined: 21 Feb 2003 Posts: 4124

She would almost certainly be better off under Italian employment law than under British law.

The advantage would be that they would allow her to claim Social Security in Britain without an interview and assessment (the SS has been known to tell returning TEFLers that they should go back to Vietnam!).

Chris_Crossley

katy · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 7

What a lot of activity since I was last here. Thanks for all your input guys. I actually met with my DOS over the weekend and we chatted over the contract with no hard sell. He offered me an Italian contract if I wanted, and in any case the salary is good in TEFL terms (regardless of whose tax I'm paying) so I have no concerns there. I was just curious as it seemed a bit strange to be bound by the laws of a country where you neither live nor work. I think I have my head around it now though. thanks again.