How much vacation time is average?

Question

I am in talks with a company that is agreeing to pay me much more than I thought I would make at this point in my life. It's a $17,000 increase in salary from where I am currently. The problem is that I have 3 weeks vacation at my current firm and the new company is only prepared to offer me 2 weeks. I have a 14 month old and need those 3 weeks for him. Any thoughts? We're still in negotiations, nothing is final yet, so I'm looking for some help here.

At my current firm, you get 3 weeks AFTER you've been there for 5 years, I'm in my 6th year, so this has been my first year with 3 weeks. it will be like stepping backwards. BUT the salary may be worth it;);;;;;;;;;;

It's actually not rare in my industry to get an increase that large. I work for an engineering firm, in the Marketing Department. The new firm is HUGE, but they recently opened an office in my state and are hiring me to help them bring work into the office. They are buying my experience with the local agencies and my contacts.

As for trading $17,000 for 5 days of work, you obviously don't work in corporate america. That extra week is crucial. Especially when 1 stomach virus can put you out of commission for a week. (and don't forget I have a son whose school is closed Christmas week...that's a guaranteed week off, which would then technically only leave me with 1 week of vacation over the course of 11 months.)

One more thing, it's a NYC based firm so you have to realize the scale is higher. Salaries in my region don't compare to the rest of the US.

Answer 1

2 weeks vacation a year is standard when starting at a new job

Answer 2

If you are still in the negotiation stage, you should point out that you are getting three weeks vacation and you would like to have three weeks in the new job. This is not an unusual request for someone with more than five year's experience in his/her field. The most the company can say is no. You could rebut by asking if they will give you the time off without pay. Also, if this a salaried position you could ask about comp time when you need it.

A long time ago, I worked for a very large, international engineering firm that employed mostly professionals. My boss told me that under those circumstances, all benefits were negotiable as the company wanted the experienced talent and were not going to loose the talent because of a weeks pay. Incidently, that engineering company was headquarted in NYC at the WTC.

Answer 3

I wouldnt say you would be stepping backwards so much since this is just your first year with 3 weeks of vacation time...Youve survived on 2 weeks for the past 5 years so i dont see why you couldnt continue, especailly for $17,000 more per year! However, I am also a mother of a young child and I know how children can get sick...Is the new company also offering "sick pay" in addition to your vacation time?? Or can you buy extra vacation time?? If so im sure it would not cost $340/day so you would still come out ahead. Remember to weigh the cost/quality of insurance as well. To answer your original question, i would also say that 2 weeks vacation/year is average.

Answer 4

Are you crazy? No disrespect, but thinking about trading $17,000 for 5 less days of work seems nuts to me.

But, you need to do a lot of due diligence on this company. It is really rare for a solid company to offer that much of an increase unless something drastic has occured with your skills and education.

I would really check them out. Why is this job open? How many people have been in this job in the past 3 years? How is the company doing financially? Talk to the receptionist or janitor/maintenance as those 2 are usually more honest than the corporate suits.

Good luck in your decision.

Answer 5

Although 2 weeks is standar din the USA - it's 4 weeks in Europe. Just go ahead and ask for 3 weeks vacation or 4 day work weeks June-August. My sister in law negotiated Fridays off 2x per month. Get creative. Your child is not going to get any younger. God always honors it when we put family before business and work efffectively on the job.

Answer 6

In the US 2 weeks is standard but maybe you could ask for unpaid leave. You would get the leave you want and be better off financially than with your current firm.

Answer 7

in the united states, 2 weeks of vacation time is normal. it is also normal for it not to start until you have worked 6 months. but keep in mind that no company in the U.S. is obliged to give you ANY vacation time, not even federal holidays, if they don't want to. so i guess it's just up to you what is more important--extra pay or one more week? i don't think one more week is a big deal for more pay, but that's just me. also what about job satisfaction? which job do you think you will like more? and does your current job have any advancement potential? you need to consider all the sides of the issue.

Answer 8

If they want you to work for them, they will give you an extra week. Tell them you cannot have less than three weeks. Is there any other personal time or sick time they are giving you? If you are clear in what you want and firm in asking for it, they will probably give it to you.

Answer 9

I believe that 2 weeks is very standard to start.