What to do if your FAANG is levelling you according to your nationality?

Question

I applied internally to another team (for a 1-level bump and $20K extra comp) and got the job, but HR shot me down and wanted me to move across at the same level, no changes in comp.When pressed, the other manager (who talked to my manager, with both being supportive) let leak that HR did not want to raise my level any further due to my location in Europe.I have been here for four years and got steady raises and level increases throughout (ranked in top 3 performers for a team of 25).Am overall royally frustrated by this, since it likely means it's implicitly the end of my career track.I vested yesterday, so am considering leaving for a smaller company and saving myself the aggravation altogether.What would you do?(EDIT: I have been intentionally vague in some parts, but I am an EU citizen, currently fully remote, working for a US company on international projects. I also have a rare set of skills that I cannot go into, but which my new team values highly).

relaunched · Accepted Answer

That's odd. I've only ever been a part of companies where HR made a recommendation, but the decision was on the hiring team's management.
While I do like the recommendation to get an external offer, there might not be time for that. Another option is to refuse the internal offer and stay with your current team. Honestly, hiring is hard. If the manager has to go back to the well and either restart the interview process or hire his not preferred alternative, that might motivate them to knock something loose.
Good luck.

znpy · Answer

If you're actually such a strong performance be ready to leave due to this.Apply to another company, and let your manager and HR know that you are ready to leave if you aren't treated well.

matt_s · Answer

Exercise your options, find an employer that values your rare set of skills and leave.Sounds like you have a good relationship with your manager so they would probably be a good reference. If making FAANG money in EU means you have golden handcuffs (e.g. local market is much lower paid) then you might be searching for a while.

quantumofalpha · Answer

Sounds normal. I had experience with Google - they would categorically refuse to uplevel on transfers (except maybe across ladders e.g. PM<->SWE) and reneg on pay (mostly 'cause you have zero leverage in this position). They have paybands per location/level to stick to, most other tech companies too. Exceptions possible but you'd have to make your case reach someone VP level who has the power to override the prevailing policy. Low level managers don't.
> What to do if your FAANG is levelling you according to your nationality?
Your nationality has absolutely nothing to do with it. If you're not happy with your level, earn a promo or leave for some other company willing to uplevel you on hire.

benjaminjosephw · Answer

Are they allowed to do that? It suggests a strong stance that the market rates of engineers is location specific not skill/capability specific. If you're part of a company that is built on a meritocratic culture, you should absolutely challenge this. You might even consider seeking legal advice.Paying people living in one place more than people living in another place for the same work is a slippery slope that harms the interests of workers when it becomes acceptable practice across the industry. Maybe resisting the absurdity here could be your act of solidarity with those who are in the same position but without the freedom to speak out about it.

romanhn · Answer

Not sure which FAANG this is, but when I was at FB, uplevels on transfers were not a thing, regardless of manager promises. Downlevels were, if you were switching functions.

jstx1 · Answer

It's not exactly clear from the way you've written it - are you a citizen of a European country who currently lives and works in the US?

Sevii · Answer

As far as I know Amazon doesn't do uplevels on team transfers either. You don't get to skip the promotion process.

bjourne · Answer

Are you a member of a union?

siva7 · Answer

There is only one reasonable thing you can do if you're not satisfied how they compensate you and you got good credentials - leave (after you signed a new contract). Everything else turns likely into a headache.