So I got an offer letter, I don’t know what my hours are my boss says she’s flexible I don’t know what that means.

11 Comments

1. AnonymousJuly 31,2022 at 2:43PM UTC

   I mean the pto is on their site but I don’t know how much I’ll get in my first year or when I can take it. I’ve never not known my schedule lol

2. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 31,2022 at 5:08PM UTC

   Yes, that's weird. I typically have an Adobe document that lays out all the benefits - all the health insurance options, what your cost will be, deductibles, coverage, how soon you'll be covered. Typically the information about PTO, holidays and vacation policy - along with all the additional benes like tuition reimbursement and voluntary benes they can opt into - is also in there. I usually send it to my candidates during the interview process.

   The specific hours you work can be worked out with your boss, but many times the amount of hours - full time? part time? 37.5? 40? are listed in the offer letter.

   Is this a super small company? In any event, personally, I would take this as a red flag - especially if you get any push back on providing this info to you. Proceed with caution.

   Please let me know if you have any questions. GOOD LUCK!

3. Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachJuly 31,2022 at 6:04PM UTC

   You absolutely should ask. I once accepted a job which included health benefits. After I began I discovered that I had to pay the entire premium. The company only provided the contract with insurer.

4. Looking for a changeAugust 1,2022 at 12:58AM UTC

   I don’t get that could you explain? Insurance always confuses me

5. JenniferAugust 1,2022 at 3:13AM UTC

   For health insurance through an employer in the US, companies typically pay a portion of the employee's health insurance premium, and the employee pays the rest.
   Essentially, the insurance company charges the company a specific amount, and the norm is that the company covers a huge portion of that. From the employee's perspective, your cost is what is deducted from your paycheck; the company's contribution is also shown on your pay stub in a separate section.

   Health insurance is INSANELY expensive, though. Hypothetically, let's say there are three companies, offering health insurance with identical coverage to their employees (meaning your cost for a doctor's visit, prescription, etc is the same AND the types of things covered are the same, like fertility treatments, particular conditions, etc). Basically, apples to apples at all three companies.

   Let's say this insurance plan costs all three companies $1000 per month for an employee. Here's how that can work out between company and employee costs.

   Company A: $1000= $800 Comp + $200 Employee
   Company B: $1000= $1000 Comp + $0 Employee
   Company C: $1000= $0 Comp + $1000 Employee

   And everything in between. Comp A is pretty common. Company B is pretty rare outside of start-ups, and job postings usually say "100% Company paid health insurance premium." Company C is really uncommon, and that's what the previous commenter was surprised with.

   I went into detail since you asked, but it's not that complicated in practice. When you're given the health insurance information, the employee cost is really clearly labeled, and often there isn't reference to employer cost in the benefit documents you'll be provided. The number they give you is the number you pay.

   Hope that helps.

6. AnonymousJuly 31,2022 at 6:44PM UTC

   Regarding flexible hrs, many employers are allowing ees to maxiflex, meaning that you can set your hours as long as it is during the time the work sets as policy as normal operating hours for you to complete your 80 hrs for each time period. For example, in a 2 week period you may need to work 10hrs on certain days in the beginning of the period, but the reward is you can leave by midday on the friday the pay period accrues to stay within 80hrs for the pay period. As far as normal hrs range, it is up to the employer policy to set that standard for ex, for most govt agencies between 6am to 6pm is considered the range. But corporate might even allow you to flex over the weekends if it means you getting the job done. So think about what your standard hrs you want to be, like for me, I like working early 6am-2:30pm. But as mentioned before, I flex my time as needed since some days I might need to work longer depending on the projects and meetings. Its a good way for ees to have a good work life balance without constantly needing overtime. Hope this helps. But yes still reach out to the manager or have them set up some time for you to talk to HR. They should be able to give you a copy of the latest HR policy, so you are viewing it in writing.

7. Debra SesholtzJuly 31,2022 at 11:02PM UTC

   You should definitely get all the details you need before signing any offer letter. You don’t want any surprises and need to make sure everything meets your needs. You may need to negotiate better terms before accepting and signing the offer.

8. Patricia ManroeJuly 31,2022 at 11:12PM UTC

   I agree with Debra below.

   Get more details for sure. You want to know just what you're getting yourself into before signing.

9. Maria VierbickasAugust 1,2022 at 12:47PM UTC

   I think it's prudent to ask those questions, they are an important part of your overall compensation and impact your work/life balance. I would write down the questions you have and connect with the recruiter or HR Rep to discuss before accepting. It's completely reasonable.

10. Tomilyn RichardsAugust 1,2022 at 8:14PM UTC

    You should absolutely ASK!!! =)

11. AnonymousAugust 5,2022 at 12:41PM UTC

    I signed an offer just over a year ago for my current job. I asked all of that of the recruiter to be clear. And anything I was iffy on I asked them to put in writing if not already such as agreement to work hybrid and how much PTO I got as I had negotiated more. ( I was leaving a job with 5 weeks). They were great at obliging.