Ask HN: Would you trade a 20 percent raise for an extra day off?

Just curious how common it is to trade money for time.

You should make this a poll: https://news.ycombinator.com/newpoll

But to answer your question, I would be tempted to take an extra day off but in the end I would not, and here's why. An extra day off disappears when you move to the next company (you: I worked a 4 day week at my last job, them: we don't do that here), but the salary typically forms a floor for negotiating the next salary (you: I made $180k at my last job, them: we can match or beat that). With the extra salary you could take extra unpaid vacation days to effectively get your extra day off and get the raise at the same time.

I think it's an interesting trade only if you keep the same value of your time: having a 20% raise vs getting every Friday off (20% of your week). At the end each day has same value. It's also depends what you are looking for, having a 20% raise might not change your lifestyle that much, where having extra day a week off can, especially if you have family.

> You should make this a poll: https://news.ycombinator.com/newpoll

> But to answer your question, I would be tempted to take an extra day off but in the end I would not, and here's why. An extra day off disappears when you move to the next company (you: I worked a 4 day week at my last job, them: we don't do that here), but the salary typically forms a floor for negotiating the next salary (you: I made $180k at my last job, them: we can match or beat that). With the extra salary you could take extra unpaid vacation days to effectively get your extra day off and get the raise at the same time.

How does your new employer know your previous salary without you telling them? And on the other end, why wouldn't you price intangibles into your salary when negotiating?

Stakeholders don't care. You still have to get X amount of work down by Y date. You should take all the money you can get.

Would you trade a 40% raise for 2 days off?