I’d love some advice on an offer I received.

Anonymous

July 7,2023 at 2:06PM UTC

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I’d love some advice on an offer I received. I’m currently unemployed due to layoffs earlier this year, but have welcome the break to recover from some serious burnout.

I just started the job search and received an offer pretty quickly. My experience is spot on for the role, and I have over 5 years of experience.

The salary is $5k less than I was previously making, and they only offered 7 days of PTO. I live in a city that mandates 6.5 days for sick time, so this company essentially is only offering .5 days above the sick time minimum.

I negotiated them up to 10 days, but this seems wholly inadequate and a big red flag.

I could use $ but I’m also not in a dire situation.

Would you try to negotiate more, accept the offer knowing it likely won’t be long term, or walk away?

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AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 3:40PM UTC
7 days of PTO??? After 5 years of experience?? For an office job or what industry? What state are you in? Personally I'd walk away but I also live in a country where the mandatory vacation time for everyone is much higher than the average in the U.S. I'm from the U.S. though, and had one week of vacation a year at one point, but that was when I worked in the restaurant industry there (and even that is crazy seeing as how physically taxing it is)..
AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 6:48PM UTC
I’m in Seattle in architecture / design industry My thoughts also. If I were entry level I’d accept. I even pulled up my entry level offer and the pto package was much better. But at mid level I have a certain amount of expectation, understanding it will likely be less than where I left off at my previous position but this seems a bit insulting.
AnonymousJuly 14,2023 at 12:21PM UTC
Have you checked out HOK? They have offices all around the country and have been hiring in Seattle as well.
AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 4:05PM UTC
Totally inadequate unless there are maybe vacation days in addition to the PTO days? But I'm doubtful of that since you imply the mandated sick days are lumped into PTO. I'd hesitate even taking it to tide you over to the next great opportunity given the limited amount of PTO you have (when thinking about how you will be scheduling interviews).
AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 6:47PM UTC
I’ve come to this conclusion as well. Thanks.
AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 4:59PM UTC
Companies can't dictate what a state mandates (never heard a city that can dictate that in the US) Also, sick days don't always equate to also being pto days. This is not a red flag IMO as they aren't the same. IF you don't like what they're offering, then don't accept it. Wasting their time is never recommended and your time either. They met you with your negotiated 10 days. Don't continue on the back and forth, make a decision for all sakes. fyi, starting out 7 days pto is a usual time, not the best, not unheard of with a new employee, but it's something. It could be nothing.
AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 6:55PM UTC
I’m in Seattle and this is highly uncompetitive for the area. I discussed this with quite a handful of professionals in different industries, and everyone agreed for a mid level role it was inadequate. Standard here is 2 weeks vacation + 1 week sick to start.
AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 7:20PM UTC
I think we can no longer compare in today's market, it's too difficult to find a new job and this may come with it. Don't accept, move on or accept and get paid.
Audrey KirschJuly 7,2023 at 6:30PM UTC
When starting a new position it is common to lose time off, but you managed to negotiate more. Congrats on that! Now you're wanting more salary. I'm not sure that you really want this job. If you can afford to wait for something better, do it. It's hard to find that perfect position and only you know what that means to you. If salary and time off are your prime motivators, then focus on that. Or, if enjoying the work and work environment is more important, see if you can compromise on the salary and time off.
Sue Gordon- retired Career CoachJuly 7,2023 at 6:36PM UTC
The answer depends on if you you think you'll enjoy the job, and if you need some income now. I would ask for the $5K before walking away- maybe more with the explanation that the total compensation package is not competitive.
If they so no, and you can wait, consider that. Otherwise take it and continue the search, at least you'll be earning some money. How long can you go before things become dire?
Do you have anything else in queue if this falls through?
AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 6:46PM UTC
I have a year of savings plus side hustles so I’m ok to wait.
AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 2:34PM UTC
You can also negotiate and still not accept it if you're really not interested in the end. But if you're really not into it, I'd wait considering your situation. You could also view this as learning about what you're looking for in your next role.
AnonymousJuly 7,2023 at 6:38PM UTC
Employers don't have to give you federal holidays off. Or they can opt not to pay you for them. Banks and governments are pretty much the only ones that get all the holidays off. Standard for most organizations is Thanksgiving, Christmas, increasingly MLK day, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. Holidays like Veterans Day and President's day vary by employer.
AnonymousJuly 9,2023 at 4:11PM UTC
Don't forget about New Year's Day!
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 8,2023 at 12:37AM UTC
I would start by asking if there was any room for negotiation. That may be their best offer, maybe not.
You talked about the comp and the PTO but you didn't really say how you felt about the job.
Take the comp and PTO out of the equation. Now what do you think about the job?
I think whether or not you accept has to do with your financial situation. How long can you afford to hold out for something else? You can always accept this position and continue to look.
Good luck!
AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 2:19PM UTC
This is exactly!
AnonymousJuly 9,2023 at 1:25PM UTC
Yes, exactly right. If you need the money and insurance, you can always take the position and continue to look. Take interviews for other jobs remotely during lunchtime. Sit in your car to do it if needed, or drive away from your job. Having a job puts you in a better negotiating position, and you can always say that you enjoy your work, but your company’s culture is not a good fit.
AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 12:17PM UTC
Currently you're making zero (0) dollars, so what you're being offered is more than that. It's a different economy culture, etc. This revelation of what someone did for another company and pay will continue to play LESS being considered in offers. Work for the people not for the paycheck you will grow. Bring value to the world and you will always be employed.
AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 6:42PM UTC
Well I’m not making $0. I have a few streams of income. But I fully agree - I have and always will choose a job based on the people and type of work, but my personal time is a hugely important factor for me - even more than $. I love to travel and definitely need a company that aligns with that in my life.
AnonymousJuly 9,2023 at 12:47PM UTC
Idk, I feel like this is something you should walk away from after reading your thread and this reply. I left my job for more flexibility in every aspect in my life, so this became very high value for me, more so than most other aspects. Sounds like you're in a similar place and this offer is against all of that. If you're good financially so searching for a better fit seems possible, I think it's prudent to do so.
AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 2:31PM UTC
I would negotiate for what you want. When/if they come back then you can decide if it works for you, you don't need to accept their offer if it still doesn't fit. I'd also weigh it against your current situation (do you need the income/how long can you go without it) against your career/work goals.
AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 3:13PM UTC
Say you appreciate the offer, are excited to join the team, remind them of your value and ask if they are able to get closer to the amount you were making. 10 days of PTO reads as an old fashioned company to me. I feel like 15 days is min and that’s still low. Inquire about their work / life balance and negotiate what you can.
Do you have many other interviews lined up? This offer is guaranteed, nothing else is - yet. You can always accept and continue to look elsewhere. This may also vary by title/industry. If there’s a lot of others in the job market competing over the type of role you seek, I’d take it. If it’s remote, take it!
It’s like Hunger Games competing for remote jobs so I took first remote job offer even though it’s much less money than I wanted (but lots of PTO & flex hours) and continuing to look elsewhere.
I’m trying to document everything I do and get them organized so when I leave, it’ll be an easier transition. That said, I am still taking the position seriously and doing a good job while I’m here. I’m not suggesting to put forth no effort because it’s not your dream role. Just saying to keep interviewing elsewhere.
AnonymousJuly 8,2023 at 6:44PM UTC
Good advice, thanks! Unfortunately this is an in office role, so even interviewing for other roles will be tough. I essentially gave them the lowest amount I’d be willing to accept (15 days) and I’ll walk otherwise so I can fill my time looking for something better aligned. If it were full remote I’d accept in a heartbeat ?
AnonymousJuly 9,2023 at 12:16PM UTC
TAKE THE TIME FOR YOU! You are more important; you will be better in the long run when you let yourself heal from the burnout. Work burnout got me really bad, it's not healthy or fun. We as woman tend to push ourselves, too much. Can't quite figure out why? Lol, but we do
AnonymousJuly 9,2023 at 12:44PM UTC
Do you know if there is shutdown for the holidays? Personal days, wellness days, caregiver days? A lot of companies have extra days they don’t always advertise. If you ever get sick for 5 days or more you may be able to take take Short Term Disability.
AnonymousJuly 9,2023 at 2:45PM UTC
I would take the job. Local laws outweigh whatever most companies come up with and should you need more time you can work that out later.
sick time and PTO are not the same. If you had a doctors not for sick time the company must pay you for it. If the job is ideal don't focus on time off vs the quality of a great new employer. Over the course of a year the 5K lost before taxes is 2.40 per hour so if that is a non-starter (seems small to me) then walk away. The time you might have to spend to find something at or above the rate you were at before might wash out the difference. I would ask them about their review cycles and get an understanding before you join as to when and how they happen. Let them know you are asking this as an overachiever. If they have a review cycle in 6 months you might just come back up to the same salary fairly quickly if you exceed expectations.
Dcre1977July 9,2023 at 3:18PM UTC
That is not correct, a doctors note does not mean you get paid..
PTO at some companies is used for both vacation and sick time combined.
Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistJuly 17,2023 at 5:37PM UTC
YOU SAID: "sick time and PTO are not the same."
Not true. In many companies these days you get a block of PTO - it's not split out into sick time, vacation time or PTO.
EMILY KIKUE FRANKJuly 10,2023 at 3:22PM UTC
You aren't stuck in it if you accept the job, and I always think it's easier to keep searching when you have something going. I think you can go ahead and accept, but you can also try to negotiate a higher salary. You're not stuck there if you find you don't like it, and it's at least some money coming in.
Wurdah IqbalJuly 11,2023 at 7:31PM UTC
Better listen to your intuition. Sometimes, we need a start or bounce back again in life; if your mind and head are saying Yes,then kindly proceed it.
AnonymousJuly 11,2023 at 7:38PM UTC
Personally I'd take it to have income and keep looking if I decide I don't like it.