I (US Citizen) took a job with a reputable organization in France that sponsored my visa. I have a spouse, kids, and 3 pets (pets alone cost $6k to relocate). We sold our belongings in the US and had all just begun to really adjust. However I was notified last week that my employer is actually getting rid of an entire segment of their business which includes my job.
My employment contract does not contain any job loss protections outside of my trial period which was 3 months, which they had originally specified verbally is standard in France and would only end if I failed to pick up on the job.
I realize I have no legal protections as it was my naiveté to not pursue additional contract language regarding job loss during the trial period. I just never imagined this.
I’ve applied to over 50 jobs in a week and have already recieved rejections for most, as most employers won’t sponsor visas for whatever reason.
Not sure the purpose of the post but to say that when relocating, please protect yourself and truly realize how much you’re putting on the line by accepting a job abroad. My husband has not found work either in France so we’re at the point of having to go back to the US, pay all of the travel costs to do so, and have nothing there for us.
Just as an aside, it sounds like your employer didn’t cover relocation?
If that’s the case, I’d say that’s already a HUGE red flag, especially if you’re coming with a family. I would never move internationally for a job unless they were paying relocation either directly or via a lump sum signing bonus that was more than enough to cover everything.
Inconvenience aside, if they don’t pay relocation it shows they’re not willing to invest in you and in an extreme scenario (this) they can treat you disposably.
Was thinking the same thing, for an international family relocation the company could be spending $50k+. If there’s layoffs, they’d want to avoid laying off someone they just spent a ton of money on hiring. Bizarre.