Negotiating for PTO vs a raise?

Anonymous

June 26,2023 at 4:07PM UTC

Welcome to Fairygodboss!

We’re the largest online career community helping women achieve their career goals. Gain access to articles, jobs, events, and a supportive network of women and allies. Membership is free, always.

Negotiating for PTO vs a raise?

My company is not doing well financially. I'm looking for another position, but in the meantime, annual reviews are right around the corner.

I am 98% sure no one is getting a raise. If they say, "A raise isn't in the cards at this time," can I rebuttal with "I understand the company's position at this time. However, I have been a valuable employee by doing [stuff]. Would you be open to X days of PTO in lieu of a raise?" Would that be out of line? I'm just starting out my adult career so I'm very nervous navigating these discussions!

Why women love us:

Daily articles on career topics
Jobs at companies dedicated to hiring more women
Advice and support from an authentic community
Events that help you level up in your career
Free membership, always

12 comments

Share your insight

Join an authentic community that helps women support each other at work. Share your professional experience or ask for advice — you can even post anonymously.

12 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 5:12PM UTC
It isn't out-of-line to request PTO in lieu of a raise. Keep in mind that company policy may not allow for that. Or you could ask for additional PTO for the coming year only.
You've got great wording already. Good luck!
AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 5:44PM UTC
Yes, it is out of line as their investment in you is not deep enough. You can ask, but be prepared for pushback, as it does cost the company money, if you look at the big picture still. If a company needs to stay fair and consistent allow them that and not push back for poor company performance, whether they conclude it was controllable or not (ie economy inflation)
AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 6:45PM UTC
pto isn't performance based, it's a structural and time in company based, typically. Hard to police when others are trying to work this angle to be fair to all. Ask, but that process isn't meant usually to be innovative. Extra pto is usually awarded for accomplishments not appeasements. Good luck,
AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 9:11PM UTC
Go for it! They'd rather lose you for a few more days per year than lose you altogether.
AnonymousJune 26,2023 at 9:48PM UTC
I'd ask.
While obviously money talks, PTO gets me to listen!!
If they value you and you've been there awhile, I'd ask! An extra few days makes a difference.
As a supervisor, I'd certainly ok it. Or pay you an invoice for the days - I had a supervisor do that for me once. I asked for a couple unpaid days off for a trip during fall break. But because my assistant quit and he knew I was doing that job myself, he let me have the days paid.
Not that I wouldn't have worked hard for him (he was already great prior), that experience really made me motivated!!
AnonymousJune 27,2023 at 1:08PM UTC
Try it, may look at it as being innovative in your pivot of asking. Then think, if the company didn't perform, did you?
AnonymousJune 27,2023 at 4:15PM UTC
It will probably not be granted as consistency is needed when giving people PTO and if they do it for you they have to do it for everyone. So you could ask but it's not likely to get given. Good luck in your job search.
AnonymousJune 28,2023 at 11:58AM UTC
I'm totally for negotiating more PTO or vacation in lieu of an increase; however, if the company is not doing well financially, then likely this will request be shot down as it is PTO/vacation does still have a monetary value and if you were to leave, they'd still be required (in most cases) to pay out the balance.
AnonymousJune 28,2023 at 12:35PM UTC
I love this question!! Make sure to follow up and let us know!
If you don’t ask, you’re missing the opportunity for you! Make sure you ask and share back how it went. I could see this going either way!
You maybe told no because high PTO balance is a financial liability when employees. You maybe told yes because it maybe a loop hole the company may consider for staff who ask. You just don’t know unless you ask HR and your supervisor.
Deb AllenJune 28,2023 at 2:49PM UTC
It is a great question to pose, but there is usually equity to consider and not all companies are willing to upgrade anyone's PTO past the offer stage. Good luck, and if it works be sure to share your process.
Jennifer HawtonJune 29,2023 at 2:50PM UTC
You could also ask for more work from home days (unless you're already remote) another thing you can sometime get is additional training or professional dues since that money is in a different "bucket". Best of luck and congrats on negotiating, and thinking it through in advance!
AnonymousJune 29,2023 at 7:31PM UTC
OP here! Thank you for everyone who's responded so far!
I work for a small company that's been trying for years to act like a bigger company without the foundational support. I'm doing what I can to repair things, but I feel my time is short here, and I'm doing my best to plan ahead. In addition, I'm an exempt employee with 0 benefits besides my PTO/overtime, hence why if they're unable to compensate me financially, I really only have one other avenue to explore to get the most I can out of my job. I'll report back how things go (when they get around to scheduling annual reviews...since they're 2 months late already on that :)), but do keep in mind my experience and the results will be different than at a company with a proper HR rep and a more developed protocol! (The last bit is for anyone hoping my experience may give them insight; my experience is probably pretty different from those of you who've had proper corporate/professional experience!)