If an employer cannot offer you more money, what is the next best benefit?

Danielle Gray — Mon, 22 May 2017 15:32:42 -0400

What's the next best benefit if your current/future employer cannot offer you a higher salary? I know it may depend on the situation, but overall, what is most attractive?

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made May 22 at 2017 3:38 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Mon, 22 May 2017 15:38:11 -0400

Variable compensation, stock options and/or stock grants are nice benefits. The goal, in my opinion is to get as much income as possible or to defer expenses on a benefit such as healthcare. Your single greatest wealth accumulation tool is your income. Maximize it, negotiate it. If you cannot get more money, more time off or working from home are okay but you will find that it is hard to take all of your vacation anyway (at least I have) and working from home isn't a great perk in my opinion.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made May 22 at 2017 3:44 PM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Mon, 22 May 2017 15:44:48 -0400

Satisfaction. Being pulled to the middle of the team, given real responsibilities with tangible impact, and then being recognized for what you delivered.

Response by Maj John Bell made May 22 at 2017 4:04 PM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 22 May 2017 16:04:28 -0400

Time, my wife was refused a pay raise, but negotiated from 8 hours a day, 5 days a week to 8.5 hours per day, 4 days a week.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2017 4:21 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 May 2017 16:21:36 -0400

Having a job where I made a difference was more important than pay. A good 401K is vital for future retirement.

Response by LTC John Shaw made May 22 at 2017 4:48 PM

LTC John Shaw — Mon, 22 May 2017 16:48:08 -0400

The ability to work with the employee to work around family or personal medical issues or illness and work from home is my primary driver. When I was younger and had zero medical issues, stock options would have been a big incentive to work for an employer.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2017 4:48 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 May 2017 16:48:19 -0400

As a MILTECH for the reserves I am definitely not going to be a rich man...lol but the flexibility in scheduling, being able to telework from home, and continuing to serve my country as a civilian employee is what keep me here when I received higher paying offers from civilian companies.

Response by PO1 John Miller made May 22 at 2017 5:46 PM

PO1 John Miller — Mon, 22 May 2017 17:46:43 -0400

Paid Time Off is a great benefit. Reimbursement is also nice as is matching 401k contributions.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2017 6:12 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 May 2017 18:12:59 -0400

Danielle Gray hands down is time with the family. Give me more days off I will back off the demand for more money.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made May 22 at 2017 6:22 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Mon, 22 May 2017 18:22:11 -0400

It depends. Stock options are nice. A higher contribution to your retirement plan would be nice as well. You could negotiate work hours, but be mindful. If your company can't afford raises and they realize the can function when you're not there, they might downsize your position. Do you want the to give you additional training or education? It really is anything that you want. You're making negotiations over the value of your labor. If you provide value you can get whatever you want. Also, the line of we can't afford a raise is usually a negotiation tactic of your employer. If they truly value your labor you can say that you generate a certain amoumy of value for the company and for that reason you want this amount annually. The more unique your skills are the more you can demand. Remember that your boss has a fiscal responsibility to try to obtain your services for the lowest price they can.

Response by Sgt William Biggs made May 22 at 2017 7:39 PM

Sgt William Biggs — Mon, 22 May 2017 19:39:12 -0400

I would want to branch into other areas in a company, or be allowed to work on my own projects. Google does this and they end up with awesome new features l, just by letting their employees tinker.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2017 8:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 May 2017 20:33:14 -0400

All of the above. There was a time when employers gave out heath benefits, company car, travel, as ways of compensating employees with out giving cash and putting them in a higher tax bracket.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2017 9:00 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 22 May 2017 21:00:40 -0400

Perhaps my list may give away too many of my personal lifestyle priorities - but anyway -

(0) Interesting Work That Makes A Difference / Leave Positive Legacy / Great Peer Colleagues
(1) Stock Options with favorable tax treatment.
(2) 15% of Equity Investment or License Revenue where you played any role in acquiring
(3) Low or No Interest Loans for Real Estate Purchase,
(4) Relocation Assistance [paid travel and housing to search for new residence],
(5) Profit Participation / Bonus - generally receives poor treatment under tax laws,
(6) Membership on the Board of Directors, Senior Partnership, or Executive Leadership
(7) 33% of Gross Revenues from Intellectual Property you are responsible for creating
(8) Driver, Cook, Housekeeping Staff, Groundskeeper - 24/7 armed security minders
(9) Limousine for routine use - Light Armored Vehicle for security incidents
(10) Access to Executive Aircraft for yourself and first degree relatives
(11) Full Insurance and Indemnification for all actions within scope of your appointment
(12) Guaranteed Project Funding appropriate to your mission, goals, and assignments
(13) Guaranteed Employment Security absent gross criminal or depravity violations
(14) Guaranteed Discretionary Funds to expend for any reasonable business purpose
(15) Guaranteed Personal Secretarial, Administrative, Technical, and Other Required Staff
(16) Guaranteed Right To Hire To Replace Vacancies - Even During A Hiring Freeze
(17) More Higher Quality Newer Office Space with Environmental Controls
(18) In House Gym - to work out without leaving the building
(19) In House Static and Dynamic Target Ranges
(20) Authentic Pension Plan fully vested from day one - not some rinky dink 401(k)
(21) Foreign and Domestic Business Travel Opportunities with time off for area familiarization
(22) Professional Wardrobe, Makeup, Hairdresser & Jewelry Allowance - wishful thinking
(23) Personal Aircraft, Hanger, Maintenance, and Operating Costs - wishful thinking
(24) Time to relax, get to know someone, and enjoy life beyond the workplace
(25) Executive Quality Life Insurance and Medical Insurance
(26) Routine Right To Meet The CEO, Chief Of Staff, COO, CFO, General Counsel at any time
(27) Golden Parachute - Substantial Financial Compensation At The Time Of Any Separation
(28) Unquestionable Direct Command Authority - wishful thinking
(29) Title - Ambassador, DBE, CBE, OBE, MBE - wishful thinking
(30) Immunity From Subpoena / Testifying - wishful thinking
(31) Immunity From Prosecution - wishful thinking
(32) Raw Political Power - wishful thinking
(33) 24/7 Exec Restaurant / Cafeteria
(34) A Kind Word From Time To Time
(35) Opportunities for Advancement
(36) Country Club Membership
(37) Golf Club Membership

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 22 at 2017 9:17 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 22 May 2017 21:17:13 -0400

An excellent recommendation to help you find other employment

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made May 23 at 2017 12:31 AM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Tue, 23 May 2017 00:31:47 -0400

I would ask for flexible work. It costs nothing to the employer and makes me very happy. If anything, I work harder to keep the flexible work.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 2:49 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 02:49:28 -0400

Stock options.

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made May 23 at 2017 9:24 AM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Tue, 23 May 2017 09:24:23 -0400

Of the list presented additional vacation, paid time off or flex time/work at home are the most revenue neutral for both parties. There's an economic principal know as TANSTAAFL(There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch), under which things like cars, stock options or grants, vacations or other gifts have implied income that is taxable at the rate for your current bracket and may even take you across the bracket boundary and cause payments at a higher rate from the same revenue flow. Since additional vacation or time off do not affect income there are no tax implications for those options.

Response by MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2017 1:46 PM

MGySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 23 May 2017 13:46:05 -0400

The ability to work from home and maintain flexible hours is amazing. It works well when my schedule is goofy because of my kids or because of my Reservist schedule. When money isn't an option to be an incentive, I've been very open to accepting the ability to roll out of bed and immediately get to work...in my pajamas.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made May 23 at 2017 3:02 PM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Tue, 23 May 2017 15:02:05 -0400

A 9/80 work schedule. Work 9 hours a day for 8 days and 8 hours one day and get a 3 day weekend every other week. It's like 24 extra days off a year. Your work has to be completed but if that is satisfied, that is quite a bonus..

Response by PO3 Christopher Jonah Nelson made May 23 at 2017 3:25 PM

PO3 Christopher Jonah Nelson — Tue, 23 May 2017 15:25:29 -0400

The next best thing to a higher salary is full medical coverage, incl. premiums, deductible, and co-pay/cost-share.

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made May 23 at 2017 11:06 PM

PFC Jonathan Albano — Tue, 23 May 2017 23:06:26 -0400

In this day and age, healthcare is a must and it's only getting more expensive. Other than medical bills, my expenses are low enough I'd even consider taking a pay-cut for a low/no deductible insurance plan paid by the company. Sadly, this is one benefit that is hard to find outside of Government work.

Response by SSgt Luke Hunt made May 24 at 2017 7:42 PM

SSgt Luke Hunt — Wed, 24 May 2017 19:42:59 -0400

Free day care....and after school care for young kids

Response by COL Charles Williams made May 25 at 2017 1:17 AM

COL Charles Williams — Thu, 25 May 2017 01:17:32 -0400

It all depends on what is important... medical, retirement, etc...