The MM Network

[CaptainHenreh]

Can I get some professional advice?

Is it common to negotiate PTO? Like, if the company has a "start from Zero" typical policy, is it out of the ordinary to say "Yeah um, I'd actually like two weeks of PTO as part of my offer."?

[Ken]

Can I get some professional advice?

Is it common to negotiate PTO? Like, if the company has a "start from Zero" typical policy, is it out of the ordinary to say "Yeah um, I'd actually like two weeks of PTO as part of my offer."?

Totally acceptable to ask, in my opinion. Especially if it's matching something you currently have.

[DavidM]

Can I get some professional advice?

Is it common to negotiate PTO? Like, if the company has a "start from Zero" typical policy, is it out of the ordinary to say "Yeah um, I'd actually like two weeks of PTO as part of my offer."?

What are you actually asking for with that request? I think its super common to negotiate accrual rates (i.e., your normal rate is 2 weeks for a new hire, but i'd like 3) and pretty common to negotiate time off shortly after your start date (i've done this a couple times, once they gave me an "advance" and once they said sure, but you have to take leave without pay).

I haven't heard an "i'd like my PTO balance on day 1 to be 80 hours and then accrue at your normal rate", but like Ken said - can't hurt to ask...

[CaptainHenreh]

Can I get some professional advice?

Is it common to negotiate PTO? Like, if the company has a "start from Zero" typical policy, is it out of the ordinary to say "Yeah um, I'd actually like two weeks of PTO as part of my offer."?

What are you actually asking for with that request? I think its super common to negotiate accrual rates (i.e., your normal rate is 2 weeks for a new hire, but i'd like 3) and pretty common to negotiate time off shortly after your start date (i've done this a couple times, once they gave me an "advance" and once they said sure, but you have to take leave without pay).

I haven't heard an "i'd like my PTO balance on day 1 to be 80 hours and then accrue at your normal rate", but like Ken said - can't hurt to ask...

Basically that. I have a baby coming. I would like to be able to take time off close-ish to my start date, but A: Not be "in the hole" for PTO and B: still have some flexibility for sickness (Which is a thing, you know, with a newborn/toddler.)

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I'll even take it without pay, but I don't want to do FMLA which would leave me on the hook for paying the "full cost" of my health insurance.

[Kaan]

completely normal to ask... at least in the private sector.

[Apoc]

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I'll even take it without pay, but I don't want to do FMLA which would leave me on the hook for paying the "full cost" of my health insurance.

Your employer is required to pay the same premiums for health care while you're on FMLA. That's kinda the point of FMLA.

https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs28a.pdf

It's not uncommon to ask for PTO, but the answer will depend on the company. Amazon and Google do not negotiate PTO as a matter of policy because it can create inequity and complicates accrual systems.

[Jake]

My company accrues PTO per pay period, but they let me borrow against it when my uncle died a month into the new role. I went 5 days negative but knew I'd make it up easily given accrual rate and what we get on a yearly basis. I'd just ask if you are able to go negative , assuming the intent is to achieve a 0 balance by EOY 2019, and go from there. Seems you have a totally legit reason for asking.

[Apoc]

He said he didn't want to go negative.

[CaptainHenreh]

My company accrues PTO per pay period, but they let me borrow against it when my uncle died a month into the new role. I went 5 days negative but knew I'd make it up easily given accrual rate and what we get on a yearly basis. I'd just ask if you are able to go negative , assuming the intent is to achieve a 0 balance by EOY 2019, and go from there. Seems you have a totally legit reason for asking.

So, I can go up to 40 hours in the negative. But that's...not really enough time to really "be with the baby" and that leaves me with zero ability for the little typhoid mary to get me sick.

I'd feel a lot better with a buffer, ya know?

[.RJ]

I have never been able to negotiate PTO when joining a new job. YMMV.

[Sijray21]

I agree with the accrual rates, but work with your employer (or potential employer) because i've been surprised in the past with how flexible they can be for personal situations like yours. This is part of the reason why Paternity Leave should be a 'thing'. I negotiated my accrual rate with my current employer because they were going to give me -7 days/year from what my current employer at the time was giving me on a contract transition; NOPE, NOT GONNA HAPPEN.

[Senor_Taylor]

Speaking of PTO, so far my unlimited time off with the new job has gone well. Requested every day I had requested off with the old job and they were all immediately approved. We'll see how it goes once they actually need me to do things.

So far the feel has been so different than what I'm used to. Going from a company of 4000+ to a company of 400 is weird. So few processes are formalized and so many roles are unclear and not well defined. Should be interesting to say the least.

Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk

[Apoc]

So few processes are formalized and so many roles are unclear and not well defined. 

I think you just described every company I've ever worked at.

[.RJ]

Welcome to small company. Expect to wear a lot of hats and learn a lot. And then you'll hate the chaos and go to another big company and get frustrated by the beaurocracy. Repeat.

[Evan]

Can I get some professional advice?

Is it common to negotiate PTO? Like, if the company has a "start from Zero" typical policy, is it out of the ordinary to say "Yeah um, I'd actually like two weeks of PTO as part of my offer."?

Ive never heard of that.  
Both my wife and I have negotiated accrual rates,  which is pretty common,  but Ive never seen anyone negotiate a bank of time,  and I wouldn't expect a company to agree to that.   For all they know,  you're going to show up,  take your vacation, get paid then leave.

There is nothing wrong with going negative on PTO,  its common.   And given your situation any reasonable company is going to work with you if you need extra buffer down the line.

[HAULN-SS]

I don't know how it works with PTO up front but when I started at my current company I got 4 extra days of annual leave negotiated in my offer because they were slightly short of what I asked to make

[Deceus]

So few processes are formalized and so many roles are unclear and not well defined. 

I think you just described every company I've ever worked at.

Can confirm. Roles have usually been pretty well defined but the only process anyone seems to have is not to have any kind of process.

[Senor_Taylor]

My new company is hiring very aggressively right now. The following positions are what are most sought after right now.

Software Engineer – JavaScript/Node.js
Software Engineer – React
Software Engineer – JavaScript
Software Engineer in Test


Reston office or Remote, doesn't matter. Let me know if you're interested. I assume the pay is good since they definitely pay me too much. The culture is really relaxed compared to my old job and the office is nice. No timesheets, which is nice. Great benefits as well. Unlimited time off (I have like 15 days requested off for this year already). Yes, there is a referral bonus for me.

https://sciencelogic.com/company/careers

[JPolen01]

My company is also hiring. We are looking to fill quite a few inside sales positions on my team. Great manager, work-life balance is awesome (no email on your phone, not expected to answer emails after normal business hours) good benefits, out-going, young team. College degree preferred, but not required. Estimated first-year earnings are $65-70k.

Located 15 minutes outside of Baltimore.

[Jewels]

So my company is closing the facility I work at. Our last day is September 30. We have a small severance but I want to have a job starting as close to the beginning of October as possible. I know most of you have jobs in Metropolitan areas that are not feasible for me. But if you hear of anything here in the Valley/ Charlottesville, I am literally all ears.