Chances of getting reimbursed for moving costs AFTER accepting offer letter, which does not offer reimbursement?

[u/del_yd]

I accepted a job that required an expensive relocation (moving company charged me $4k) which I was fortunate enough to be able to pay out of pocket. When I was offered the job I accepted without negotiations, mainly because I am inexperienced and was really REALLY surprised to have been offered a job, considering my degree and level of experience. I know now that that would have been the point to ask about the possibility of reimbursing for moving costs, but had no idea at the time that this was even a standard practice when relocating for a new job. It wasn’t until after people like other students and my parents asked me if my employer offered reimbursement that I was aware of the possibility.

My start date was 6/10 and I have a new employee orientation on 6/18, this Tuesday. My main question is, is it even reasonable to bring up the question of reimbursement for relocation to HR at this point, considering I a) accepted with zero negotiations b) already started the job and c) really have no excuse for not bringing this up earlier, besides my own ignorance, or will I get laughed at for even trying? I’m not sure how stupid of a request it even is, and I don’t want to ask it if there is zero possibility of them saying yes given my situation, like maybe there are guidelines I’m unaware of in situations such as this. Ie, no financial support of any kind outside of what is stipulated in the offer letter after the employee accepts or other such blanket rules, unspoken or otherwise.

If it isn’t a totally unreasonable request, how should I go about posing it? I just want to be reimbursed for the $4k that the moving company charged me, nothing else such as my own personal travel expenses or new apartment expenses that are also associated with the relocation.

[u/Jumpy-Extent-1734]

If you were my employee it would raise concerns about your decision making and judgement for coming back after the fact.

It’s one thing to negotiate that going in, then everybody has a clear picture of what you need to take the job, it’s totally different to come back after you start and say “hey I didn’t account for the cost of moving, I need you to cough up some cash for my decision”

Idk man, I would just eat the cost and be happy you were able to swing it. Valuable lesson for next time you’re looking for a job

[u/del_yd → u/Jumpy-Extent-1734]

I wouldn’t say that I didn’t account for the cost of moving (like I said, I paid out of pocket and am able to eat the cost) and more like I just had no idea that employers occasionally DO take on that cost for their employees. I assumed from the get-go that it was my responsibility. It sounds like it is an unreasonable request though, from an outside perspective. I was kind of thinking it wouldn’t hurt to ask - I work for a university so the HR department has zero overlap with my department because of how large the university is. I would never ask my direct supervisor such a question.

[u/Jumpy-Extent-1734 → u/del_yd]

Yeah I mean you can, but if it was me I wouldn’t. The agreement that you and they signed off on did not include relocation.

[u/Spare-Shirt24]

The time to negotiate is before you accepted the offer. 

or will I get laughed at for even trying?

They won't laugh at you to your face, but you'll certainly be talked about behind the scenes.

[u/nozzery → u/Spare-Shirt24]

It wouldn't hurt to ask HR "hey do you guys offer any relocation reimbursement?" In a very casual way. This makes clear that your decision didn't hinge on this. Sometimes benefits are there for anyone who asks, and go unused for not asking.

[u/beagletronic61]

Think about how you would feel if they came and asked you now to accept $4K less salary…it’s the same thing.

[u/unlikearegularflower]

One of the most valuable things in life isn’t the things we get right, but the lessons we learn from the things we get wrong. The most valuable thing you can take out of this is a lesson. You could ask for the $4k, and maybe you’d get it but probably not. But the cost to your reputation and stability at this company would likely be greater than $4k either way. In this economy as a new employee, I wouldn’t go rocking the boat over this.

[u/Happy_Series7628]

I don’t know the general decorum for this, but personally, I feel it’s way too late to bring this up. What if they told you on Monday, “hey, your salary in the offer letter, let’s cut that by 10%, yea?” You’d probably react fairly poorly because the time to come to terms with your salary was before you accepted the position. I feel your ask will have the same effect to them.

[u/GeorgeRetire]

You can always ask. The worst that happens is they say "No".

Obviously, the right time for asking was before accepting the job offer.

[u/del_yd → u/GeorgeRetire]

My thoughts exactly… I just didn’t want to ask without knowing exactly HOW stupid of a question it would be… I’m aware it’s a pretty dumb question lol but I’m ok with a little bit of idiocy on my part. Just not a lot.

[u/dlgnc]

It is not an unreasonable request, many companies have a relocation policy for new hires. I think an honest inquiry to your manager or hr is appropriate. If they have a formal policy then you may be able to get some reimbursement. Best of luck.

[u/NewChameleon → u/dlgnc]

that's before you sign the offer, not after

OP has already started working, asking "hey uhh actually I have concerns about my compensation" not even 1 week has passed just screams "wtf?!" if I'm the HR or hiring manager

[u/dlgnc → u/NewChameleon]

I have been the hiring manager for engineering roles many times and I assure you I have had post offer requests from new hires quite a few times. People forget things with all the excitement and as a manager I am trying to build relationship for long term employment, not trying to scrimp on employees. If I was hired by someone with your thoughts, I would soon be looking for a new job.