61–70 of 336 posts
This is less out of altruism, and more so that any untoward activities can be uncovered whilst the person is out of the office.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
With these kinds of policies being more common in young companies, I highly doubt that paying back unused vacation can have any significant effect on normal operations. In the other case there's also generally limits on how much vacation time you can build up, generally taking a couple years of not taking vacation to max out.
> With these kinds of policies being more common in young companies, I highly doubt that paying back unused vacation can have any significant effect on normal operations. It has an effect on the balance sheet, since vacation time accrued but not used is a liability; in companies whose operations are labor-heavy, and that have high-pay workers, that's may be a concern, especially when seeking investors, since concrete…
Regardless of how much vacation time is on the books as a liability, the company's cash flows are exactly the same.
We have an unlimited vacation policy at Adzerk and I try to lead by example by taking at least 2-3 weeks off a year (especially in the summer). We also try to encourage everyone to take at least one solid week off a year and it seems to work pretty well. I think that's the real issue with unlimited policy - if the leaders don't take vacation no one else thinks they can.
"At least 2 weeks off". Isn't 2 weeks the bare minimum?
Or, alternatively, you take only a day or two when the flu is at its worst, then come into the office to stare blankly at your screen and drool on your keyboard, whilst getting your colleagues sick. Yes, stupid policies tend to incentivize people to do stupid things.
As a counterpoint, most investment banks enfore a mandatory 10 working day break where all remote access capabilities are disabled (including blackberries). This is less out of altruism, and more so that any untoward activities can be uncovered whilst the person is out of the office.
I'd love to hear more about that.
This forces good processes to be put in place, and is an excellent fire drill in general.
Of course the other reason for 'unlimited vacation' is so when an employee leaves, the company doesn't have to pay them for unused vacation days. Huge red flag when a company has 'unlimited vacation'
IIRC, the company doesn't have to pay you for unused vacation days even if you don't use them. It's pretty much at the discretion of the company.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
I'm curious to read about what it means to "de-stress" from work but I think you forgot the [1] citation. Maybe this is not common, but if I worked at a company with "unlimited vacation", I would definitely take extended vacations occasionally. I think as long as you timed them appropriately and gave advance notice, you could easily take a week or more off.
Wow, so in Silicon Valley a week is an 'extended vacation'! I used to think that meant a month or more. How fast the world is changing.
Also, I don't work in Silicon Valley.
In the end of your life when looking back at it. You can think of asking two questions of yourself.
Did you wish you worked more hard days for your company? or Did you wish you spent more time with family and gaining new experiences?
Obviously you will need to find a work / life balance but if you only work/play hard you might regret it later and you cannot get lost time back.
Of course the other reason for 'unlimited vacation' is so when an employee leaves, the company doesn't have to pay them for unused vacation days. Huge red flag when a company has 'unlimited vacation'
... unless you just take vacations normally. Then perhaps you have already taken your vacation when you leave, and the company is out that work. It cuts both ways.