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I've recently been offered a new position whose vacation time is not generous and quite strict based on previous jobs I've held.

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I've recently been offered a new position whose vacation time is not generous and quite strict based on previous jobs I've held. Before signing the contract, is it wise to try and negotiate terms closer to what I received at my current role, or would this be seen as a negative before I even start? I believe in negotiating better for yourself and have successfully done so e.g. for salary, as long as you word things correctly, but I wonder if it's worth it or is it set in stone on their end and just to leave it alone?

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  1. Anonymous

    I don't think it hurts to ask.

  2. Anonymous

    To stay fair and consistent for ALL in the company employees who have invested time I'm one who looks at the whole and not a single ask because they had it different elsewhere. You've not proven yourself and you're asking? NOT a popular answer, either accept offer or don't. ALL IMO.

  3. Anonymous

    Yep, definitely not a popular opinion in my book. What I learned in my first 10 years of working in HR is that everything is negotiable. It's stuff that I didn't realize early on my HR career and definitely my pre-HR career and that's one of the things that holds women back. Men aren't afraid to negotiate everything under the sun; meanwhile, women would rather take what's in front of them or move on if it's not exactly what they are looking for rather than negotiate.

  4. Anonymous

    Again that was IMO, and covers ALL genders, it's speaking to the fairness for all. Absolutely NOTHING to do with gender. If it's a big company so hard to police when you have someone who wants more than what they have yet proven to be afforded better than someone who has. As I am a warrior for change, it really starts with the org themselves having these conversations if they're losing employees to competitors with better pto.

  5. Anonymous

    Why should she “prove” herself before asking? Negotiate before committing to the job- if she were a man, would the same advice be given- i seriously doubt it.

  6. Anonymous

    You can certainly ask, but many things like PTO are set in stone for fairness to other employees and they are unlikely to budge on that one. Never hurts to try though.

  7. Kate Hopkins

    You will never get it if you don't ask, so always negotiate. You have a solid place to start with, because you have experience in the market that is different from what they are offering. That said, some companies may not have much flexibility on vacation time based on their compensation/HR policies. You could specifically ask for more vacation time but also add that if that's not negotiable, are there other ways they can improve the overall comp package to offset the difference in the vacation based on your previous work experience?

    Good luck

  8. Anonymous

    In my experience, what I've seen over the last 15 years, PTO/vacation usually is one of the negotiable items of an offer. If this is something you desire, then ask for more.

  9. Dr. Fee

    Negotiate.

  10. Alexis Gladstone

    I've always successfully negotiated my vacation time. Make sure whatever is agreed to is in writing so that if management changes you have it documented.

  11. Annette Adair

    I asked for an additional week when I took the job I have now because there is a lot less time off. They agreed but said they couldn’t put it in writing. I am now 3 days into that additional week and am being asked if they are supposed to be unpaid or carry over the negative amount into next year. Ask, but make sure they’re will to put it in writing. I will add that they said they will never tell me no to extended weekends and I’ve never taken more then 4 days at a time.

  12. Heather (she/her)

    Always negotiate. Job offers are transactional and both parties should be prepared to compromise here and there. If it's a hard no, they'll tell you that, but it shouldn't impact how they see you as a candidate.

  13. Anonymous

    I would definitely negotiate. I have negotiated and gotten more $$ and also more vacation. The worse they can say is No but if u don’t ask you will never know.

    Also Many companies have tiers that after a certain years at the company, you will get extra week or so - tracking is not an issue they definitely have ways to track so don’t worry about that.

    but always get it in writing - people change, managers change and you don’t want to be fighting for what was offered to you.

  14. GirlBossanova934974

    Negotiate the vacation and make sure that vacation time gets put into your Offer Letter. If we are talking 2 weeks vs. 3 weeks of vacation, most companies are not going to pull the offer.

  15. Tina

    I always recommend that people negotiate PTO. It’s part of the package that has no direct cost. Some companies won’t negotiate so they can be equitable, but in my experience, many will.

  16. Vicky Johannsson Geary

    Definitely negotiate and make sure it is in writing. Many years ago, I accepted a job that only offered 2 weeks vacation during the first 5 years. However, at the job I was leaving I had 3 weeks vacation. So I asked and had it written into my offer letter and contract. Good thing too - when I later left, the individual who agreed to the additional week was no longer with the company and the accounting person only had me down as 2 weeks and was actually going to dock my final paycheck. I had her pull out my contract and she had to re-issue the check in the correct amount.

  17. Nikie Aguocha

    Everything is always negotiable, remember that!!!

  18. Anonymous

    Yeesh, I’ve worked at a call center job that only had 2 weeks of vacation time. I don’t know I lasted more than a year in that job, other than it happened to be in a field that

    I’m interested in. I don’t blame you for wanting more time off than just 14 measly days.

    You can negotiate your work terms. Salary, time off, work hours, anything. Nothing is set it stone. With that said, your circumstances will really determine your ability to negotiate your contract terms.

    For example, it’s easier to negotiate your contract when you already have:

    -A backup job that you’re currently working at

    -Another job offer letter in hand

    and/or

    -A huge amount of savings that’ll support you for at least another year or two while you look for work.

    This way, you can afford to be more strict about the contract terms that you’ll accept. Plus, you can simply go over to another company if they refuse to change their terms.

    On the other hand, if this is your situation (a far more common situation, unfortunately):

    -You’ve been out of work for months

    -You don’t have any other job offer besides this one.

    -Your current savings won’t last you another month or so

    Well, you can still negotiate your contract terms. But, you may have to accept less than ideal contract terms if they refuse to change the contract. This way, you’ll avoid going too long without an income and ending up in the soup kitchen line or getting your car repossessed, for example. Plus, you can still look for another company that offers a higher salary and more time off while you work at this firm.

  19. Anonymous

    If you BELIEVE that negotiating for yourself is important, Then put your beliefs into action and do so... Otherwise you will always regret not asking... Especially when the going gets tough

  20. Anonymous

    Depending on your career history, most companies will attempt to match those years as comparable to their current vacation policy. For example, I've been in the working world for 38 years. My current employer gave me 3 weeks PTO and one week of Sick pay, pro-rated for my first year. This has been common practice in my past 3 companies. I've never had to start completely at the new hire/rookie level. Negotiate it up front or you are liable to be bitter about it after starting.

  21. Anonymous

    Negotiate! Hiring manager here, I can tell you at the companies I’ve worked for that’s probably one of the easiest points to negotiate. The company loses nothing but a good employee if they don’t accommodate. Go for it! Good luck!

  22. Anonymous

    Always negotiate. Employers almost always never lead with the best they can offer. And it never hurts to ask for more. If they say no, it's unlikely they'll say "we can't do this and now we're going to rescind the original job offer" as long as you're being reasonable. And if they do, that's a red flag!

  23. Krystin Morgan

    Absolutely ask! If you're professional and respectful, there is no reason it should be seen as a negative. IF they see it that way, it's not somewhere you'd want to work, anyway.

  24. Anonymous

    The comparison in dollars and cents to include benefits will tell you if you're making a good move; not to mention opportunities for growth; if that's what you seek as well.

  25. Julie McGovern, EdD

    For me at least, the work-life balance is as important, if not more so, than the dollars and cents. That includes having time away from work.

    i say negotiate.

  26. Anonymous

    It is how you address it. Always thank them for the consideration and offer. Let them know that in comparing your current compensation package you noticed …… go for it if you do not advocate for yourself who will then?!

  27. rgstaffing@bellsouth.net

    to comment on this I would need to know what is the PTO they are offering?

  28. Joycelyn M. Siame

    It doesn't hurt to negotiate. You have experience doing it before. Ask them if the PTO offered is set in stone, or if there is room for negotiation.

  29. ken cuebas

    In my experience anything can be negotiated before joining an organization. especially if you have a much needed skill. Make sure you get things in writing. If its not in writing, its not binding. HR honors written agreements not verbal ones with future managers. If that manager conveniently forgets you have no recourse. The easiest way to get what you want is to ask for it.

  30. Anonymous

    Continue working while seeking other opertuites within the company. Try going on different Zoom call meetings with other departments may help you get notice while working remote. Volunteer to go into the office if possible 1 to 2 days a week may help get you noticed.

  31. Peggie Arvidson * Career Consultant | Adoptee Advocate | Recruiter

    I'm surprised this didn't come up before the offer was made? As a recruiter I like to ask what would it take to have you be willing to leave your current role - and I prompt with questions about benefits etc....that way if we're way off (some companies are like "NO NEGOTIATION on VACATION" other companies are like "everything can be doable for the right candidate" and it's the recruiter's job to know which one they're working for)

    That said, if you're willing to stay where you are (i.e., not get this job) or take the job with less vacation time then go ahead and ask - frame it in ways that show it's a benefit to the company.

    The market is unusual right now - with more highly qualified people than in previous years out of work and all vying for the same role.

    Which means that they can go to the next person in line without much fuss.

    I'd ask "is there any flexibility on the PTO? I've already scheduled 3 trips out of the country (or whatever the truth is) in 2024 and want you to know that up front."

    The worst that can happen is that they say something like, "you're our first pick candidate, unfortunately first year employees at your level all receive XX PTO days. I appreciate you letting me know about your planned travel - it's fine for you to take it, although it will be taken without pay until you've accrued the time off. Is that okay with you?"

  32. Shelby C

    Excellent response!

  33. Anonymous

    Absolutely negotiate vacation time!

  34. Toni Boyd

    I would negotiate for what I want. If they want you they will be open to it.

  35. Anonymous

    The companies policy on vacation and time off is set as a standard across all employees perhaps with the exception of Executive level hires. Don't try to negotiate on this because it is irrelevant to your wanting to take the job. If you choose to take the job do so knowing that the role itself is going to improve your career, will pay you fairly and give you interesting work to do in your field.

  36. Holly Hansen

    Ask - I highly recommend the book "Women don't ask" it is rather shocking how women are literally socialized not to ask for what they want. So many of us have gotten lower salaries, less vacation because we don't want to "make waves" All they can say is no, but they may just say yes

  37. Janet Parkhurst

    Hi Holly,

    Great advice! I'm going to get the book. I don't know why men have no problem negotiating in their own favor (and they almost ALWAYS get what they want), and women (even TODAY) still do. I guess it's the old, "not-good-enough syndrome."

  38. Anonymous

    Your response is valuable, true and helpful!!

  39. Janet Parkhurst

    Dear Anonymous,

    I just left a job that wouldn't allow me ANY vacation time at all, due to exhaustion and concern for my health. I didn't know enough to negotiate at the beginning, because the letter of offer clearly stated "one week off per year." Turns out, they lied! So... negotiate strong and hard for what matters to you are you will end up hating the job (and yourself).

  40. Anonymous

    As an in-house recruiter who has recruited for organizations large (60,000) and small (less than 100), I can say PTO is 100% negotiable. At the larger companies, it is a little bit harder as corporate policies are in place. It really depends on the level of your role, if it is a niche skill, etc. Basically, they have to really want/need you. You won't ever get more than the execs do, but basically they can put you on the higher tier PTO plan.

    My question to you is, why do you want to work for a company that has a lousy PTO policy? What I have noticed in those orgs is that you get the stink eye even if you take the measly amount they give you. If you are looking for a work culture with work life balance, you might be better off looking elsewhere.

  41. Kim Pfeiffer

    Don’t do it. Bait and switch. Both not generous and strict—doesn’t sound like a place that will treat you as a professional. I wouldn’t be surprised if they take attendance at the beginning of the day to be sure you’re at your desk promptly at starting time.

  42. Anonymous

    I'm sorry, but I find this to be an odd response. Could you please explain why you responded in the way you did? How do you figure this to be a 'bait and switch'? And where do you glean that she wouldn't be treated as a professional? I'm just baffled here.

  43. Anonymous

    I just left a job recently with great vacation and sick leave. When I made the request of 4 weeks vacation, they came back with 3 weeks vacation and 1 week of sick time. I was happy with that. The policy is different than what I asked for.

    Some places allow for an agreement such as mine did versus accruing it.

  44. maria rose

    Why would you even consider the position if you’re not getting offered your expectations? You must have had a reason to apply to this company while wanting to leave your current job. Sometimes life in reality doesn’t appear as green as the illusion. One thing this site does is give you a guidance on key aspects that you should be looking and hearing about in any job interviews and offers. If you don’t hear them mentioned, that should be a big red flag light for you to not continue on with the interview process for that specific company because it will never become the best option despite your desire for it to occur especially if you want/need certain conditions to accept and be happy working for this company. If you don’t speak up during the hiring process, then you chose the consequences of the job conditions despite your reservations about it being not your perfect fit for a job.

  45. Yvette Nsengiyumva

    I think you can first negotiate with them. before we start

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