Books on emigrating

[Ms B]

I am trying to get my head around this. So we won’t get contracts? Will we get an equivalent which proves we actually work there and sets in stone things like annual leave other rights or is this offer letter it? To be honest I haven’t had a good look at the letter as it only arrived yesterday.

[twostep]

Originally Posted by Ms B

I am trying to get my head around this. So we won’t get contracts? Will we get an equivalent which proves we actually work there and sets in stone things like annual leave other rights or is this offer letter it? To be honest I haven’t had a good look at the letter as it only arrived yesterday.

This is it and everything outside of company policy should be spelled out in detail. You should also have a copy of company policies/employee handbook prior to accepting the offer.

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by twostep

They are cashing checks and that at finance companies:>) Matricula Consular has been accepted as official ID by the US Government:>) Banks do not have this authority.

Banks here in Phoenix do accept Matricula Consular as evidence of identity here in Phoenix since the Patriot Act. Canadian snowbirds here in Phoenix use their passports and/or driver licenses. There is no requirement for a SSN.

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by Ms B

I am trying to get my head around this. So we won’t get contracts? Will we get an equivalent which proves we actually work there and sets in stone things like annual leave other rights or is this offer letter it? To be honest I haven’t had a good look at the letter as it only arrived yesterday.

Florida is a "right-to-work" state. This misnomer means he basically has no employment rights (except a few federal ones) unless they draw up a contract. This they are unlikely to do.

[twostep]

Right-to-work states - employees have the right to decide for themselves wheter to join or not to join and financially support a labor union. There are excemptions inrail/aviation and federal jobs.

What does the offer letter mentioned have to to do with right-to-work?

[twostep]

Originally Posted by Fatbrit

Banks here in Phoenix do accept Matricula Consular as evidence of identity here in Phoenix since the Patriot Act. Canadian snowbirds here in Phoenix use their passports and/or driver licenses. There is no requirement for a SSN.

Of course - 13 States have opted to accept it as ID; it is up to a bank's policy to accept it as sole ID. Mortgages cannot be obtained with it. On the other hand 18+ billion US$ get processed this way per year.
Would you mind to give me the name of a Phoenix bank not requiring SS# for DDAs? Thank you.

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by twostep

Right-to-work states - employees have the right to decide for themselves wheter to join or not to join and financially support a labor union. There are excemptions inrail/aviation and federal jobs.

What does the offer letter mentioned have to to do with right-to-work?

The OP presumably is coming from another industrialized nation and expects that workers have wide-ranging rights. It is a surprise to many that the US does not provide these. Indeed, some states are even worse in this respect, and these are the ones that have right-to-work legislation.

Here's someone's opinion on labor laws in "right to work" states.

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by twostep

Of course - 13 States have opted to accept it as ID; it is up to a bank's policy to accept it as sole ID. Mortgages cannot be obtained with it. On the other hand 18+ billion US$ get processed this way per year.
Would you mind to give me the name of a Phoenix bank not requiring SS# for DDAs? Thank you.

AZ does not accept the matricula as far as I'm aware. It certainly doesn't for proof of identity for notarial work -- you either use a bent notary or sidestep the issue using someone with legal documentation to vouch for you if you don't have the right paperwork.

What's a DDA?

[Fatbrit]

Originally Posted by twostep

Mortgages cannot be obtained with it.

Plenty of folks without valid SSNs took out mortgages in the glory days of the subprime fiasco here in Phoenix.

[Bevdeforges]

Originally Posted by Ms B

I am trying to get my head around this. So we won’t get contracts? Will we get an equivalent which proves we actually work there and sets in stone things like annual leave other rights or is this offer letter it? To be honest I haven’t had a good look at the letter as it only arrived yesterday.

If he was asked to sign the offer letter, chances are there will be no further contract. The company should have some sort of employee manual or handbook that lays out their policies on annual leave and what not. Your husband may get a copy, or he may be able to consult the policies in the HR department. But they are free to change it whenever they like.

Hang onto your copy of the letter. For the time being, that's your best "proof" that he is working there. Once he starts the job, he'll probably get a company id card, though it's rare you would use that to prove where you work.

Don't feel bad, I had never heard of an employment contract until I arrived in the UK. They just aren't the way things are done in the US.
Cheers,
Bev