Question

32 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 4:23PM UTC

   I don't know what line of work you are in, but my experience (I'm currently job hunting) has been that more and more companies are offering unlimited PTO. One company I interviewed with said you are free to take up to 8 weeks. None of these were based on the time with the company. I am currently interviewing with one company that said it's "commensurate with experience" which is a bit of a red flag for me, to be honest but I am going through with interviews for the practice if nothing else. It's fair to ask what the PTO policy is early on so no one is wasting each other's time. At my current job I have 4 weeks plus 4 floating holidays. I don't have experience with "unlimited PTO" but have wondered if it's frowned upon to take "a lot" (whatever that happens to be in their minds). I guess you would want to discuss it with them. Some unlimited PTO places also have a "minimum" that they want you to take. It can't hurt to get your feet wet and see what you find out!

2. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 5:13PM UTC

   I once interviewed at a company with a recruiter who had been at the company that I was still employed at. She said that benefits were comparable.

   I took the job and found out that they weren’t. You got three weeks after three years at our old company and I had just hit that milestone. It took five years to get three weeks at the new company. This was just one of several benefits that were worse. It soured me in the job and I didn’t last very long.

3. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 6:04PM UTC

   Your case is a good example of how unlimited PTO works to the advantage of more established workers. Assuming that you’re in the US it’s another reminder that we’re the only developed nation that doesn’t have e mandated PTO

4. Tiana MumfordMay 13,2022 at 6:23PM UTC

   Greetings,

   I think it depends on the company. It would not hurt to ask or just apply and see . Go for it!

5. AnonymousMay 13,2022 at 10:39PM UTC

   Consider a government position. I work in a state position and new employees earn 10 hrs/month annual leave and 10 hrs/month sick leave (3 weeks of each annually). After 10 years the annual leave accrues at a higher rate every year until you hit 20 years, when it maxes at 20 hrs/month. We also get 13 paid holidays.

6. Henry StevensonMay 14,2022 at 12:17PM UTC

   God is testing your patience. You have to show him you will leave it up to him to fight your battles. Don't get discouraged and give into them. That's a distraction from better promotion. God has to see if he can trust you with thongs you don't like before he promotes you higher. Stay there and don't worry about what they are doing. Say good morning and keep doing your best. God bless you

7. AnonymousMay 14,2022 at 6:32PM UTC

   I’m not sure the OP said god was a manager at her office?! Sounds to me like the two bullies and her weak leader at testing her patience. Not sure suggesting she remain submissive and wait for god to take the steering wheel will resolve these workplace issues. Nothing actionable in this advice.

8. AnonymousMay 15,2022 at 1:15AM UTC

   There was no need for a sarcastic response towards someone else's offering guidance from God.
   It's OK to simply disagree.

   You don't even know if the OP is religious and if *that* response about God may be *the only response* that gets through to the OP.

   Furthermore, you saying "nothing actionable in this advise" was nothing short of being impolite.

   The beauty of this platform is that each advice (yours wasn't one btw) given by people with different experiences can and do have the potential to help others.

   God is everywhere. Even with you. He works in mysterious ways. Whether you believe or accept that fact, he has always been, and will remain the author and finisher of all our (including yours) faith.

   Never underestimate how he works in favor of those who believe in him... and again, you don't know what the OP believes or not believe.

   Be blessed.

9. Henry StevensonMay 15,2022 at 7:30PM UTC

   Amen

10. AnonymousMay 18,2022 at 1:33PM UTC

    Thank you, Henry.
    As the original poster, i appreciate your words. Although some may not want God brought into the picture, what you did is bring another perspective -taking the high road. I can’t control what other people do but I can control what I do.
    I’m now taking a course in Self-Compassion and focusing on my real worth and loving the person I am.
    Bless you too

11. Leader135412May 14,2022 at 12:43PM UTC

    I know how you feel, been at my job for 33 years. It used to be great. But covid and people leaving has made the workload unbearable. Because of what I do, I know when I retire they'll have difficulty replacing me. Nonprofit groups dont offer good opening salaries. And starting a new job negotiating PTO and salary is like being at the bottom of the ladder.

12. AnonymousMay 14,2022 at 1:24PM UTC

    speaking as someone who is a higher earner and lost my position due to a corporate sell off 3.5 years ago, do NOT leave your current job. you will never, EVER find a job again with that much time off...let alone starting over as an older employee is tough and honestly, almost impossible in terms of replacing what you've earned there. My answer is simple: You've got 7 weeks PTO (unheard of in this day and age)--space out your PTO around holidays, long weekends, etc and give yourself more mental space...You can do it with this much vacation time. That way, the issues at work will be more tolerable. There is no other "real" answer for you. I'm sorry you're not recognized at work but you are...You are still employed and have inched up the ladder to a huge benefits package, etc over the years. Girl...HOLD ONTO WHAT YOU'VE GOT.

13. Jackie DanielsMay 14,2022 at 1:38PM UTC

    Yes. I work for a company that only provided 5 days in the first year in business. They’ve since added several weeks after 5 years in business. However, for new employees it’s just not “enough” for the type of work we do. Newer employees have negotiated more PTO with success, as long as it’s reasonable (3-4 weeks is typical for our focus in healthcare).

14. AnonymousMay 14,2022 at 2:33PM UTC

    It's all in your priorities and choices. Everything is negotiable within reason.

15. AnonymousMay 14,2022 at 3:13PM UTC

    Most companies will let you negotiate near what their 25 year employees get - but no one is getting 7 weeks. 4-5 weeks plus 8 ish holidays is max at my big US based company.

16. AnonymousMay 14,2022 at 5:33PM UTC

    PTO is negotiable, but you have to have reasonable expectations. I agree with others below that your chances of getting 7 weeks somewhere else are basically zero. Also, something else to consider when you start a new job: many companies restrict how much time you can take off during the first 6 months or so (timeframe varies). You're not going to show up on the first day and immediately have banked PTO you can start using. You're not going to be able to visit family or take long weekends for quite a while when you start. Are you willing to suspend these trips? You might find that a shorter commute is worth the trade-off. But you might not. Keep this in mind before you make any moves.

17. AnonymousMay 14,2022 at 7:00PM UTC

    Negotiating pto would likely be outside of you’re company policy: how many years do you have left?
    If 10-15 hang in there. With a lot of jobs like govt jobs it can take 10 yrs before u see a significant change increase in pto. Are there other roles within the company you can do a lateral or promotion to? If so try that as a priority. I would not leave unless it is adversely affecting you. Based on what you wrote it seems more of an annoyance and inconvenience. But not so sure if it is worth risking less pto and unknown uncharted waters somewhere else

18. AnonymousMay 14,2022 at 7:08PM UTC

    The last two jobs I took, I made it clear having ample PTO/vacation was very important to me. And I got more. I have been in HR for the last 12-13 years and when I first started, I didn’t realize negotiating was something everyone could do. I have seen so many different things negotiated in offers (and in severance agreements) and PTO was almost always negotiated (usually successfully) in offers. Long story short, go for it.

19. AnonymousMay 15,2022 at 12:24PM UTC

    Can you explain the negotiating severance comment? I put in my notice and I’m in my last week of work. I have over 400 hours of sick time unused that won’t be paid out, and a few weeks until my retirement fully vests. Is there some sort of negotiations I should have had when putting in my notice? (I’ve been with the company for 5 years.)

20. AnonymousMay 15,2022 at 7:46PM UTC

    If you are voluntarily leaving, you wouldn't be receiving a severance. What I'm referring to in my original comment is individuals who were involuntarily separated (mostly through job eliminations). Some negotiated for more weeks/months severance pay, some would negotiate their COBRA coverage (for instance, requesting the company pay it or whatever), or maybe an earlier payout of bonus.

21. AnonymousMay 15,2022 at 7:47PM UTC

    Regarding your unused sick time, likely won't be paid out (unless you work for a government employer of some sort...my husband does and they do get their sick paid out when they retire).

22. Annetta MosesMay 15,2022 at 2:49AM UTC

    Yes, some companies negotiate vacation. If you find a company you like be upfront about needing flexibility to visit and care for elderly family members. See what they company can do. Some companies offer new employees 4 weeks of vacation and other companies offer unlimited vacation.

    Good luck!

23. AnonymousMay 15,2022 at 6:31PM UTC

    I'm not sure of your other benefits, but my company allows 5 weeks of PTO (accruing of course). And, employees can "purchase" an additional ten days. I echo being upfront about needing flexibility. There are options out there (and you can factor the "purchase" of PTO into salary negotiations.

    Good Luck and keep us posted!

24. Lynda BoothMay 15,2022 at 8:36PM UTC

    This is true. You can negotiate PTO and some companies do have unlimited PTO.

25. AnonymousMay 15,2022 at 12:34PM UTC

    Have you *asked* for a promotion or a lateral move? I didn’t realize that men go right in and say, “I’d like to be promoted. I’ve received great reviews for many years. What else do I need to do to get promoted?”

    I admit I was scared at first, but men can’t read your mind! (Quoting my husband there!). It’s called “women’s intuition” for a reason!

26. Rosa GoesMay 15,2022 at 6:09PM UTC

    I agree! That last question is key. You can also add "I enjoy my job and have 25 years experience" then ask that question.

27. AnonymousMay 15,2022 at 7:32PM UTC

    I see a lot of comments here about folks being able to negotiate their PTO and vacation time but I have not seen this at all. I have nine years of post-high school education, a postgraduate degree, and I work as a healthcare provider. I have a highly respected role in the community. Even still, those facets of my employment are not negotiable whatsoever. I would love to hear what y'all are doing for a living that you've got all of this ability to bring up the contract offer. It's not happening in healthcare even for those of us with highly responsible positions

28. AnonymousMay 16,2022 at 1:13PM UTC

    I work in Engineering Design & Manufacturing.
    I have 4 years of experience was offered 2 weeks when I had 18 days, and negotiated to 3 weeks. I would say anything besides medical/disability/insurance benefits is all negotiable. Also, it doesn't hurt to ask - worst they say is no.

29. Valerie RiegerMay 16,2022 at 8:36PM UTC

    I work in Human Resources and have been able to negotiate time off.

30. AnonymousMay 16,2022 at 1:12PM UTC

    I negotiated vacation time. I have 4 years of experience, was offered 2 weeks when I previously had 18 days. They compromised and gave me 3 weeks. It was a little bit of a drop, but I don't need to use it for sick days like I did at my last job, so it was fine!

    If you have 25+ years of experience, you can 100% negotiate. I would ask for 8 weeks (because if they go down it will hopefully land where you want it to).

31. Karen GongawareMay 16,2022 at 1:56PM UTC

    Always negotiate. It may be less pay but more vacation time, sick days, and holidays all paid.

32. Valerie RiegerMay 16,2022 at 8:34PM UTC

    Companies will negotiate PTO but probably not up to 7 weeks. You may be able to trade pay for time off. I have done that before and that worked well for me.

    I have also seen a growing number of employers offering unlimited PTO plans. That may fit your time off needs.