Now that I am working remotely, can I move to Bermuda? - New York Post

My office has switched to working remotely forever, so I’m thinking of ditching my cold, expensive New York apartment and working from Bermuda or Barbados, where they are offering yearlong work from home visas. Do I need to clear it with my boss and HR first? Seems like it’s none of their business where I live as long as I am getting the work done.

It will be our little secret if you take me with you. That sounds amazing — sun, sand, surf — but I’m afraid that I may have to throw some cold water on your plans. There are important considerations that might affect you and your employer. You cannot just move to another state — let alone another country — without telling your employer, and you must understand the potential consequences for you, too. Your employer may not have an entity in the new location to be able to employ someone from that location. You may have to change benefits plans, and then there is the tax man, too. You would need to consult with a financial advisor. Bottom line: It’s a nice thought, and conceivable, but very complicated — and it’s your employer’s business, too.

I’ve been told that you shouldn’t ask about a position’s salary or benefits until you’re in the final steps of the recruitment process, but I don’t want to waste my time in a lengthy process only to find out it’s a low-paying job. When is the right time to ask?

Well, if you are currently employed, usually the employer has a sense of what you are earning at the beginning of the process or you have some sense of their range, which is always important to establish so that neither party wastes time. But once you are in process, it’s best not to ask about salary and benefits at all. You will know soon enough if you get a job offer, and then you can try to negotiate from there. You should have some sense of the market range for the position, which can vary widely based on numerous factors. And sometimes, when an employer falls in love with a candidate, the range magically widens. So play through and see where it lands.

Gregory Giangrande has over 25 years of experience as a chief human resources executive. E-mail your questions to GoToGreg@NYPost.com. Follow Greg on Twitter: @greggiangrande and at GoToGreg.com, dedicated to helping New Yorkers get back to work.

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