Posted on: 08-03-05 12:51:50
Folks,
While browsing thru DICE.com, I do come across job postings in the US offering
1. Training - mostly in ERP solutions (Apps. & Development, DW)
2. 100 % job guarantee - mentioned by some
3. H1B
4. GC processing
Sounds too good to be true. I therefore wanted to know if anybody has had any experience with these organizations and would care to share it with us.
Partha S Lahiri
Quote:
Orginally posted by Partha Lahiri
1. Training - mostly in ERP solutions (Apps. & Development, DW)
>>>>Who pays for it? You?
2. 100 % job guarantee - mentioned by some
>>>Who would be the employer? The who trained you? Like a placement agency?
3. H1B
>>>Need to be careful abt on the bench scenario.
4. GC processing
>>>>When they will start? Will they give in writing? As you may know that both H1B and GC can be started at the same time. Can they do that?
Quote:
Orginally posted by desi in ottawaNeed to be careful abt on the bench scenario.
I have heard it often but what exactly is this "bench scenario"? Is it some sort of a waiting period before they get you a regular job? Are u paid or not paid when on a "bench"?
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Diogenes
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The Cynic
Quote:
Orginally posted by DiogenestheCynic
I have heard it often but what exactly is this "bench scenario"? Is it some sort of a waiting period before they get you a regular job? Are u paid or not paid when on a "bench"?
As I understand (as told by my cousin who was in that situattion), on the bench means in between the jobs. They will be looking for a client to put the candidate on site. Till it's done, the candidate will be on the bench, waiting to be posted.
Pay depends on the employer. Sometimes full pay, sometimes minimum, sometimes no pay except couple of people in an apartment (rent paid by the employer), some money for food etc. It's their call, not the candidate's. I have heard horror stories on this.
Some small desi owned firms take undue advantage of the situation, promising GC, etc. Again not all of them are like that. One has to be careful
DIO
DtC --
Quote:A "benching" period is the time when an employee working for a consulting company is not billable to a customer.
Orginally posted by DiogenestheCynic
I have heard it often but what exactly is this "bench scenario"? Is it some sort of a waiting period before they get you a regular job? Are u paid or not paid when on a "bench"?
He may oy may not be working on anything - if he/she is not being billable it is a "bench" time period.
There is nothing inherently wrong in benched time - that time is often meant to be used for personal development, training, etc.
The reason it has acquired an negative connotation is because a lot of consulting companies (unfortunately, most desi) do not pay the employee during this period.
The employee gets paid only when he/she is billable to a customer.
The reason this kind of practice exists in the US is because of the H-1B visa "bondage" and often the GC "bondage" as well.
Also, the practice of "benching" is illegal under both Federal and State labour laws, as well as H-1B regulations.
Any employee being "benched" in this manner can file a complaint with the DoL and action will be taken against the employer.
If the employer is found in serious violation, they may even lose the right to file any H-1B or GC applications.
At the very least, there is a fine for benching employees.
Despite all this, the practice goes on.
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
Quote:
Orginally posted by Partha Lahiri
1. Training - mostly in ERP solutions (Apps. & Development, DW)
YOU pay 100% of the fees which is not a small amount.
Quote:
Orginally posted by Partha Lahiri
2. 100 % job guarantee - mentioned by some
Sure, job as what and at what pay? Most of the time they will market you out to other companies and IF you are lucky you may land up with a job. If you are not lucky, you will be employed by your training firm as a training counsellor - and you will be convincing OTHER candidates to go through your training.
Quote:
Orginally posted by Partha Lahiri
3. H1B
YOU pay for it. Note that H1B is a specialist technical worker occupation. With only some training you cannot generally qualify for an H1B. If your petition is rejected, your money is gone.
Quote:
Orginally posted by Partha Lahiri
4. GC processing
At YOUR expense and that is a three to four year cycle in most US states (the new PPERM regulations might change that, but most desi companies are not geared towards implementing the new PERM regulations.)
Quote:
Orginally posted by Partha Lahiri
Sounds too good to be true.
If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
