Hi AllI recently received an entry level offer from the front office of the commodities trading desk of a major utility company.The offer includes a 20k sign on bonus and relocation allowance, which I will have to pay back if I did not remain with the company for at least 24month.I find this a bit strange since I thought the norm is usually 1yr.Are there any grounds for negotiation without looking like I am planning to leave after 1yr, which I am not, I just thought 24month is unreasonably long.Also, I am interviewing with a major ibank (both equities and commodities desk) and I was asked to do another round of phone interview (with the same group) after I have done an on-site with them, which I find really strange, any ideas on what is happening?Many thanks to any replies to either of above questions.

Regarding telephone interview, it could be a team manager/member based overseas.

24 months is very long; I've never heard of this from an investment bank. Then again, this may be standard for the utilities.

You could ask that you only pay it back if they decide to let you go, and not if you choose to go yourself. This would be fair, I think, and does not look like a bad thing to ask.

Thanks for all the replies.NJ, what you suggest seems counter-intuitive, do you mean the other way round? That I pay back only if I choose to leave but not when I get laid off?