Does HTHD Matter?

Since there is not extra bonus anymore... should anyone care about HTHD? Is your job any safer?

19 replies (most recent on top)

If you're already at Ford, the short answer is 'not really'. The pay bands for HTHD GSR's (and LL6) are wider than the corresponding non-HTHD levels, this doesn't (particularly) help during annual comp planning, as the model biases towards getting people to the midpoint of the band (so it'll be a marginally better increase than a non HTHD, but not significant). If you're on the outside hiring in, yes absolutely it does, because HR like to hire in the 2nd quartile of the band, so that's higher for HTHD positions. Additionally (although they've not given out any in our part of ET in the last 2 rounds), every quarter your people leader can put you forward for an RSU grant. This works out to be about $45k of stock that vests over three years. Nominations are typically due the month before the awards (Feb/May/Aug/Nov), so I'd imagine you could ask your people leader in the coming few weeks. It costs them nothing to submit and there's a nonzero chance you get something of monetary value from it so it's probably worthwhile

From what I will share not to draw too much attention on this issue because there plenty of others that deserve more, they say a lot of promises once they get you in that don’t come into fruition, but just enough to keep you from leaving. They won’t tell you no. If you ask for something, they will never say no. They will usually say they’ve been working on fixing and adjusting your comp or adjust your band or talk to the committee. Whatever it may be. But they won’t tell you no.

It's something I guess they have to say. Maybe this is how they justify to the board having to attract people from SF to try and write software for them. These tech bro's are used to getting high stock options and bonuses. They take one look at Ford stock and turn their nose up, or Ford gets the sloppy seconds/thirds of silicone valley that have to settle for something after being cut. You don't get prime talent with $9-12 stock prices. You either get the far 2nd/3rd tier that got laid off, or you pony (pun intended) up the salary.

This is d-mb because hthd comp is different and so with that logic the bonus would be despite same gsr level

Basically no difference in bonus now. All GSR ranges are a % of base and no extra for HTHD.

Was HTHD but shown the door in June 2023. What’s the change to bonus? I think ours was double non-HTHD when I left.

Having HTHD is like having a colorful polyester disco shirt in your closet. It was once the sign of status but it's time has passed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1ksvI9EsBw

"Absolutely HTHD still matters! It signifies you are one of the few in a prestigious group of the very best technical talent in the company. It is no coincidence that the majority are part of Model e. You should feel proud of the recognition Ford Motor Company has given you."

LOL - this is rich right here...this guy's funny..

BS, phD guys always tell everyone they have that when they don’t get their way. They are the vegans of the academic world. How do you know someone has a PhD, they tell you. I won’t hire higher level graduates as they always want to tell you how the world works in theory, I need people who know how things work in practice.

“ You probably got fired because you…”

Wrong.

I never mentioned it.
Maybe I should have.

I was HTHD with tons of experience and I got laid off. So no, HTHD just paints a target on your back.

You probably got fired because you start every conversation telling people they should listen to you because you have a PhD.

Being an HTHD employee with a PhD got me fired because “Ford has no use for my abilities, skills and experience.”