Vacation time at job

[linz]

I have a job interview tomorrow. They sent me the benefits sheet and I'm questioning vacation time.

At my current job I get 15 days pto a year (I accrue so many hours per paycheck). New position- 1 week after 6 months and then 2 weeks after 1 year. Ok 2 weeks sounds low but I realized it's close to what I have now. But what if I want time off before my 6 months? I have Oct 12 scheduled off at my current job-day after 1st bday party and kids have Dr appt. I would tell her about this if I were to be hired. But I assume it would be unpaid?

[estrellita]

In my probation period at my current job, any time off before 90 days was unpaid. We get 4 weeks to start with but it's pretty high compared to a lot of people I know. H gets 3 weeks. 2 weeks does seem a little low but not unheard of unfortunately.

[Deleted]

Two weeks is standard here. I negotiated 3. I got my vacation after 3 months but had a week planned before that. I took it unpaid and just told them about it when they presented me the offer.

[Deleted]

That should be no problem. Tell them about your schedule during the offer period. Whether it's paid depends on employer policy/practice.

[dcn]

In the past jobs have either let me go negative or let me take a day unpaid. One job just let it go so I basically got a free day which was awesome!

I'd just bring it up and say that you understand you may need to take it unpaid.

[Deleted]

I get 23 days here, which is accrued. You can go negative but it's 'frowned upon'. Upon which I roll my eyes, as if no employee ever has taken a week long vacation in January.

[Deleted]

Sept 2, 2015 14:08:37 GMT -5 linz said:

I have a job interview tomorrow. They sent me the benefits sheet and I'm questioning vacation time.

At my current job I get 15 days pto a year (I accrue so many hours per paycheck). New position- 1 week after 6 months and then 2 weeks after 1 year. Ok 2 weeks sounds low but I realized it's close to what I have now. But what if I want time off before my 6 months? I have Oct 12 scheduled off at my current job-day after 1st bday party and kids have Dr appt. I would tell her about this if I were to be hired. But I assume it would be unpaid?

I have found that employers are very willing to negotiate vacation and you should ABSOLUTELY ask for more. That's paltry vacation....

Here's what I do/have done:

I indicate (after you're offered the job):
I currently get X vacation, I'd want to see Y vacation as part of my new job.  I have ALWAYS gotten what I've asked for (3 times, now). If you're very experienced, ask for a bump in vacation too (e.g., ask for 4 weeks).  i also have used this as, I'll accept your cash offer, but I"d like to see X weeks of vacation instead. 

I provide the vacation days that I'll need through the end of the year (given that you'd theoretically be starting, say, late September), and then indicate how you'd propose handling them (going negative, WFH longer hours that week, unpaid, etc.).  Do NOT assume or offer that you'll need to take them unpaid.  I always assume in my approach that these days will not be a problem. 

and follow-up in writing.

FWIW, I've never had to take unpaid time. And duh, be generous with what you've scheduled for vacation/dr. appt. It's very reasonable that you have things scheduled.

I started a job in May, provided a list of the July, Septmber, November, and December days I needed off, indicated that I'd probably have a couple of random dr. appointments. 

[Deleted]

Oh....Plus....GOOD LUCK :-)

[D2M]

If you're offered the job and everything else looks good, negotiate on vacation time, for sure.

I have been in the position where I've had to take an unpaid day off, unfortunately, early at the start of a new job. I was MOH in a wedding and it was on a Friday night and it was out of town. I told my new boss about it when she offered me the job and she told me the company's policy. Turns out, she was very by-the-book and most other managers would have just docked a vacation day from my total days off once I was past the probation period. But it was just one day, so no biggie in the grand scheme of things.

[linz]

I've never negotiated benefits. But my current job is my first one with pto (first job after college, prior jobs were PT with no benefits). I really hope it works out!

[Deleted]

This has happened to me at a few jobs (vacation already planned) and it was never an issue. They let me take the time paid and I was just in the hole, but it was never an issue for me.

[Deleted]

We get 4 weeks. It's drop in the bucket. Plus 2 weeks sick & 2 personal days.

I also somehow carried a week from the first 6 months I worked here PT benefitted so I still have that week banked.

Plus we almost always get the week between XMAS & New Years off as a bonus.

[preppy]

I would absolutely negotiate the amount of PTO. DH got a new job in December and they originally offered only 5 days PTO. He asked them to match the 20 he currently had and they agreed without batting an eye. I think if you are happy with the pay and other benefits and are only negotiating PTO you could have a good shot.

[Deleted]

Sept 2, 2015 18:16:06 GMT -5 preppy said:

I would absolutely negotiate the amount of PTO. DH got a new job in December and they originally offered only 5 days PTO. He asked them to match the 20 he currently had and they agreed without batting an eye. I think if you are happy with the pay and other benefits and are only negotiating PTO you could have a good shot.

5 days? That's insane!! I'm glad he asked for more!

[preppy]

Sept 2, 2015 18:50:39 GMT -5 @awinter said:

Sept 2, 2015 18:16:06 GMT -5 preppy said:

I would absolutely negotiate the amount of PTO. DH got a new job in December and they originally offered only 5 days PTO. He asked them to match the 20 he currently had and they agreed without batting an eye. I think if you are happy with the pay and other benefits and are only negotiating PTO you could have a good shot.

5 days? That's insane!! I'm glad he asked for more!

Right?! It was a big promotion and raise but he was going to say no unless they negotiated PTO.