Job offer advice: low PTO

Anonymous

October 21,2022 at 3:38PM 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.

Job offer advice: low PTO

Hey everyone, I have a job offer I'm considering. There are a couple questions and a counter they are considering. If those are good, the biggest hang up is time off. I currently have 23 days of PTO. At this place, I'd have 10 personal leave days and 13 sick days. So, technically combined it's the same amount but I know the rules around sick days can be weird and it's not usually expected to take them all probably. After my first year it bumps to 15 days, which is a bit better, but that's still a big drop for this year. I have kids and usually use some days for when they don't have school but I don't have off, and we usually travel for holidays and try to take a family trip in the summer. Not to mention we're moving (within the same town) in the spring and it's really helpful to have some extra time to pack/unpack.

So, it feels a little stressful if it's just 10 days.. unless they're flexible on how sick days are used but I don't know how likely that is.

But it's a role that moves me closer to where I want to be career wise, and pay basically is the same.

Would this be a deal breaker for you? Such a hard choice.

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

10 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.

10 Comments

Join the conversation

AnonymousOctober 21,2022 at 7:01PM UTC
Have you asked if you can get more than 10 PTO days? It's often a negotiable item.
AnonymousOctober 21,2022 at 7:15PM UTC
I agree with the previous commenter -- see if this is something you can negotiate.
Depending what the response is, then I'd decide if that's a deal breaker or something you can comprise on for now.
It sounds like you're interested in the role, so I wouldn't let low PTO completely deter your decision; however, maybe you can ask more about how others in the org feel about PTO benefit / managing work/life balance in the role you're in the running for. You could also do a little digging on your own to see what employee - company reviews say about work/life balance or time off on sites like Glassdoor, Indeed, etc.
All in all, think through your short-term and long-term goals and see if this is something you'd be okay with. Your comfortability is important!
AnonymousOctober 21,2022 at 7:33PM UTC
We have rules about sick leave, but also aren't allowed to question or push back on sick leave requests unless there's a history of abuse.
You can take up to 3 days with zero questions usually. So there may be more flexibility than you think.
Julie HumbirdOctober 21,2022 at 8:13PM UTC
We have a very flexible policy around our sick days. I would have a direct conversations about this. Do they include mental health? Can you use them for caring for sick family? Can they roll-over? Can you use them in hourly blocks? Can you use them for the variety of Dr appointments you and your children need? Can they be scheduled (ours can). I just spent 4 scheduled sick days off with my kids for "R & R".
I think the answers to the questions above will give you an idea of if they support using sick leave. What is most important is the company culture around using your sick days. There should be no shame involved. We celebrate our colleagues for taking days off when they are unwell or just need to recharge.
AnonymousOctober 21,2022 at 8:56PM UTC
is this policy fixed for the duration of your employment or does increase by year 5 or 10. If unsure ask and that could be a plus on your side to consider.
Erica MitchellOctober 22,2022 at 12:22PM UTC
I would ask for more PTO and if they can't, I'd still accept the offer to be where you want to in your career. That's just me. You need to do what's best for you.
Brittany Wilson, Transformational Career CoachOctober 22,2022 at 2:47PM UTC
I agree with some of the comments below, ask for more PTO and see what they say. If they say the PTO is not negotiable, look at your entire package and see if there is anything else you can negotiate that will help soften the low PTO blow (more money, remote work, etc.).
The best answer this this really depends on your personal and professional values. If you are someone who deeply values work-life balance or needs extra time to be with family, then this offer might not align with your choices.
Best of luck!
AnonymousOctober 24,2022 at 4:09AM UTC
I work in finance and only get 2 weeks a year if that :) I wouldn’t not take a job because of the PTO if you want the job. I personally wouldn’t negotiate this point because thought they can change it just for you and really not the best look to ask about time off right away. If you have medical concerns or issues (I do so understand this) you can get doctor notice and that wouldn’t count towards these days
AnonymousOctober 24,2022 at 4:49PM UTC
Have you asked for more?
I hear people all the time say that PTO/vacation is not negotiable, but that hasn't been my experience. Often employers are willing to go higher with PTO than with salary.
When I started my current position, I made it clear to my manager that my time off was important to me so got a little bit more. Previous job (I was there a year, a year that I want back but anyway...) I took a pay cut but they matched what I had been getting with regards to PTO. If time off is important to you, be up front about it.
Sharon GrehanOctober 25,2022 at 4:47AM UTC
That seems reasonable for the 1st year with an increase to 15 days. Does it increase further at 5 years (for example)? It might be worth asking if time without pay is an option if you need additional PTO in the first year... It sounds like a positive move for your career and happiness so I hope you can find a way to work it out with them. Best of luck