Odd question about compensation vs vacation time?

[YoungBuck]

I am about ending my useful tenure at my current job; it is becoming rather boring now, and I have a job opportunity in another division. I'm interviewing tomorrow, and I wanted feedback on how to state my request.

I'm single, and I earn way more than I need, but what I really want is more vacation time. I only have 2 weeks at my present job, and I was hoping to negotiate the 5k raise into vacation time. I think an extra 2 weeks is a fair exchange, but I am not sure how it will go over with company policy, HR, etc.

Seriously, I like to travel but I have very little time. I can only manage 1 big trip, and a few extended weekends + holidays with family per year. An extra week would be great.

What do you suggest?

[Anotherkiwi]

I am about ending my useful tenure at my current job; it is becoming rather boring now, and I have a job opportunity in another division. I'm interviewing tomorrow, and I wanted feedback on how to state my request.

I'm single, and I earn way more than I need, but what I really want is more vacation time. I only have 2 weeks at my present job, and I was hoping to negotiate the 5k raise into vacation time. I think an extra 2 weeks is a fair exchange, but I am not sure how it will go over with company policy, HR, etc.

Seriously, I like to travel but I have very little time. I can only manage 1 big trip, and a few extended weekends + holidays with family per year. An extra week would be great.

What do you suggest?

Find another country! 
 
New Zealand and Australia have a legislated minimum of four weeks' annual leave, plus statutory holidays.  Most of Europe has five or six weeks off per year - if you pick the right country, you could get another 20 days' worth of Christmas, New Year, Saints' Days, etc. as well.

[Turboguy]

As an employer who has hired lots of people over quite a few decades I think if a company really wants someone working for them enough they will be flexible and supportive of a reasonable offer that is fair to both.   Good luck with the request.   Sometimes it is better to be a valued employee than the boss.   I have had 5 days off in the last two years.  I spent Easter Sunday digging ditches and today my wife said she thought it would be better if I quit just working from 7 am to 6 pm and started working in the evenings too.  Gosh RW can be slave drivers.   

[Faux Pas]

I am about ending my useful tenure at my current job; it is becoming rather boring now, and I have a job opportunity in another division. I'm interviewing tomorrow, and I wanted feedback on how to state my request.

I'm single, and I earn way more than I need, but what I really want is more vacation time. I only have 2 weeks at my present job, and I was hoping to negotiate the 5k raise into vacation time. I think an extra 2 weeks is a fair exchange, but I am not sure how it will go over with company policy, HR, etc.

Seriously, I like to travel but I have very little time. I can only manage 1 big trip, and a few extended weekends + holidays with family per year. An extra week would be great.

What do you suggest?

If you are looking at a position in the private sector, your skills are highly specialized, and they would love/need a man of your caliber, it's all negotiable. How are your negotiating skills? Personally, my approach would be get the best salary possible then, put the benies on the table and not waver from 4 weeks. I've done it before successfully. My approach was "I have 6 weeks where I am at and I need that time off. I was going for 4 and ended up with all 6. Always start with more than you'll settle with. When you settle for 4, everyone feels like they won

[mendeleyev]

Excellent advice thus far and the only thing I'd add YB is to show them how the extra two weeks is in their benefit: Time away to hatch new ideas, clear the head to solve problems, travel in areas of the world where you can see new technology, etc. How it works out for you!

[Muzh]

Absolutely.

Always negotiate for the best paying option. That is including more than the 2 weeks they offer. Worse comes to worse ask if you can take unpaid leave. Never, and I repeat, never exchange pay for time on a contract. You'll never get it back.

[ML]

I haven't seen this viewpoint expressed yet; so I will toss it in.

I would be surprised that many companies would be willing to deviate from their company policy regarding vacation time. 

These policies, with increasing weeks off as your years at the  company progress, are usually stated in black and white in the company Employee Manual.

I can imagine a lot of revolt amongst the rank and file, as well as with the executive core if someone is given something other than what the EM says.

Yes, I understand some are saying they got it; I don't dispute that.  But I do think it is fairly rare.

Now I know in fact that, although it is shrouded in some mist, senior and critical employees may get something very similar to extra vacation time when they attend conferences and fluff type education seminars, etc.

But when payroll people,  HR people, your team members and others see that someone is getting openly flouted vacation time that varies from the Employee Manual . . . .

[Faux Pas]

I haven't seen this viewpoint expressed yet; so I will toss it in.

I would be surprised that many companies would be willing to deviate from their company policy regarding vacation time. 

These policies, with increasing weeks off as your years at the  company progress, are usually stated in black and white in the company Employee Manual.

I can imagine a lot of revolt amongst the rank and file, as well as with the executive core if someone is given something other than what the EM says.

Yes, I understand some are saying they got it; I don't dispute that.  But I do think it is fairly rare.

Now I know in fact that, although it is shrouded in some mist, senior and critical employees may get something very similar to extra vacation time when they attend conferences and fluff type education seminars, etc.

But when payroll people,  HR people, your team members and others see that someone is getting openly flouted vacation time that varies from the Employee Manual . . . .

Without one is a member of a collective bargaining unit, they are free to make their own demands. how they are recieved is going to depend on the potential employee