Visit To Microsoft China
A visit to Microsoft China shows what kind of opportunities are available for employees of a multinational. Like all multinationals, Microsoft has offices all over the world and employees looking for a change can request a transfer to not just another division, but a whole other country. This was the situation two of our friends found themselves in. They both worked at MS Redmond but an opportunity to return to Shanghai to head up MSN China presented itself and they decided to take it.
Microsoft offer several programs to help their expats offset the high cost of living in Shanghai. Microsoft pays the rent on the couple’s three-bedroom condo that’s just down the street from the office. MS also pays the cost of sending the couple’s two children to the nearby international school. That takes care of the two biggest expenses expats face while working in China. MS has their own VPN to get around China’s firewall.
To offset the income tax difference between the US and China, Microsoft offers a tax equalization package. The company will top up employee earnings to ensure that they’re are no worse off in terms of net pay in the host country than they would have been in the home country. Our friends also received a 30% raise for accepting the China post.
With their biggest expenses taken care of, and a 30% increase from their US salary, the couple enjoy a high disposable income that puts them in the upper end of the elite working class. When your major expenses are taken of, you can really live high on the hog. Hell, you might even be able to shop at the Super Brand Mall. 
- Posted in Ramblings, Technology, Videos
- 31 comments what's your take?
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I’m amazed at the job benefits. Sounds perfect.
I was disappointed to see no slides or fire poles to go down in the office. I got a pool table will have to suffice.
Reply to this commentI like your comment about the employees being ex patriots and then you go into the staff lounge full of 20 year olds. lol
Reply to this commentWhat a weird work environment. Everybody hanging out and doing nothing the whole time you were there. Plus they allowed you to record everything inside the office. I like the pool table. have fun guys.
Reply to this commentIt was 6:30PM when we were there. Most of the employees have gone home, or playing in the lounge.
Reply to this commentMicrosoft must be paying the expenses of high officers like CEO, Manager… What you say??? or does it pay for all the employees there….
Reply to this commentIt’s mostly for higher up position. The normal positions they can get by hiring locally.
Reply to this commentReally Great Job Benefits.
Reply to this commentjitesh
Microsoft is evil
Reply to this commentbut they need to spend their money somewhere
That is interesting that they let you record everything. I don’t know if I like having a cubicle though…
Reply to this commentHehehehe I Dont Like Microsoft john I More like Linux
Reply to this commentThat’s a sweet package they get. It must be cool to be able to transfer to a different COUNTRY.
Reply to this commentMicrosoft must be shelling out a ton more for their employees in China then they are in the US.
Reply to this commentNot really. Most of the employees are local hires. They do get paid more than the average factory worker, however.
Reply to this commentYou would never get away with shooting videos of the workplace if this was in Redmond, WA. (Someone might get their hands slapped over this).
I felt like I did something subversive when I shot this yesterday
http://www.revver.com/video/919789/i-win-360-bucks-at-the-river-rock-casino/
Reply to this commentSpeaking of subversive, would one be able to sneak a flip into a stripper bar? My rationale would be to look for clues to solve this mystery -
Reply to this commenthttp://www.revver.com/video/874614/shooting-at-the-cecil-hotel-in-vancouver-the-day-after/
Seems like a pleasant place to work!
Reply to this commentCoke sucks PEPSI RULES
Reply to this commentJohn,
A 30% raise won’t hurt
Great benefits - I wonder, why Microsoft in my country doesn’t have such perks? 
Reply to this commentHey, it looks like there isn’t any work going on, everybody is in the employee lounge.
Reply to this commentRent paid…Kids education paid…30% raise…not too shabby. Sure it you have to up and leave your life in the states or where ever, but those are some pretty good incentives.
Reply to this comment~Terry
I know a friend working in HK Microsoft. He is working like a slave. He needs to work overtime everyday.
Reply to this commentBut take a look at the people in this video. The office was almost entirely empty - everyone was at the lounge enjoying themselves
Reply to this commentThanks John for sharing this video. The work atmosphere looks like pretty much that in Microsoft India or other Indian divisions. In India as well we get this kind of work area and cubicles where they put three or four people in 100sq.ft
Well, that’s resulting from the population!
What is amazing to see though is the focus on infrastructure in China. Though India have a lot of potential for more business from abroad, the roads here are pathetic so is the public transport system.
Best Regards,
Reply to this commentAjith
Wow sound slike an interesting opportunity. Not sure I would want to move away from my family for any job, even an opportunity to work there, though.
Reply to this commentthey hire locals because that will save a lot of money than if they hire expat..maybe expat for top management only.
Reply to this commentI dont think every MS China get benefits u described here m sure only the top officials are getting all the allowances and packages like 30% pay rise and condo rent and school expense
Reply to this commentThat’s cool I will aso visit MS beyond office hours to enjoy..
Reply to this commentWow,you have a rich trip to Shanghai and Microsoft China.The office environment is quite nice and seems to be relax too.
Reply to this commentThough I’m from Shanghai,I haven’t got any chance to visit that office.You give me a wonderful trip here…
I’d love to see Microsoft and Google office.
Reply to this commentI see a video in every post of yours, they are really amusing John
Reply to this commentHey john are you, by some way, affiliated with Apple?
Reply to this commentI always keep thinking why you keep giving the disadvantages of microsoft, anyways I am an Apple user and am happy that you support it!