4 ms·

Early in my career, I worked in the USA for a top tier employer in a PhD level position (not a manager then).It was a full-time position, which I believe is exe

Early in my career, I worked in the USA for a top tier employer in a PhD level position (not a manager then).It was a full-time position, which I believe is exempt from over time. Worked a 12 hour day on thxgiving when something stupid happened (due to lack of management foresight). Wasn't just me but others too. Got a gift card in appreciation for 50 bucks or something. No overtime/extra pay. Time off in lieu was a joke as we were working like crazy and barely able to utilize owed PTO (which you could not cash out). This episode prompted me to put the feelers out to switch jobs, which I then did. As a manager, I now push back hard on behalf of my team when I see unrealistic deadlines (especially around holiday times). This year, I had to fight a lot more than usual. The issue is success is required on a stupid timeline. Or else. I keep feeling I'm playing russian roulette with my job. But I reflect on my past experiences and think I'll be okay if I get kicked out. So .. cest la vie .. I'll do what I think is right.

jdavis703 5y ago
In CA at least, not being able to cash out non-expired, accruable PTO is wage theft.
- tharkun__ 5y ago
  I don't know about you but I don't want my PTO to even be able to be cashed out. I'd rather have 30 days of PTO required by law and the company gets dinged for not letting me take it. The US seems to have a culture of overwork where even being able to just get the PTO paid out feeds that's cycle. Work 80 hour weeks or you are shunned by the co-workers. Want to take some PTO? Nah, just get it paid out man! We have to break that cycle.
  - jdavis703 5y ago
    I’d rather take the cash today and stash it for savings tomorrow. I’m highly skeptical SWE will pay well when I’m ready to retire in 29 years.
- varelse 5y ago
  Which is why some companies pivoted to "unlimited time off" so you never accrue any official PTO and it's up to you to make sure you take any time off whatsoever. And just like open office floor plans, they portrayed this cost saving measure as a perk. Once you understand how this game works, you know to follow the money first. Edit: Guess the truth hurts... https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/unlimited-vacation-is-it-about-morale-or-the-bottom-line.aspx https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-re...
tharkun__ 5y ago
I think your example of how the employer behaves is a big part in how people react. If your employer doesn't value you then I think it is absolutely the right thing to do what the person in the article did. Resist. Make other people resist. If possible in more subvertive ways instead of just getting fired loudly. If my employer values me then they don't even have to ask. I'll gladly help the company out where needed. If I know that I actually can take time and a half off in lieu of working on a holiday that's totally OK. These employers do exist. Find them and work for them and make them great.

jdavis703 5y ago

In CA at least, not being able to cash out non-expired, accruable PTO is wage theft.

tharkun__ 5y ago
I don't know about you but I don't want my PTO to even be able to be cashed out. I'd rather have 30 days of PTO required by law and the company gets dinged for not letting me take it. The US seems to have a culture of overwork where even being able to just get the PTO paid out feeds that's cycle. Work 80 hour weeks or you are shunned by the co-workers. Want to take some PTO? Nah, just get it paid out man! We have to break that cycle.
- jdavis703 5y ago
  I’d rather take the cash today and stash it for savings tomorrow. I’m highly skeptical SWE will pay well when I’m ready to retire in 29 years.
varelse 5y ago
Which is why some companies pivoted to "unlimited time off" so you never accrue any official PTO and it's up to you to make sure you take any time off whatsoever. And just like open office floor plans, they portrayed this cost saving measure as a perk. Once you understand how this game works, you know to follow the money first. Edit: Guess the truth hurts... https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-relations/pages/unlimited-vacation-is-it-about-morale-or-the-bottom-line.aspx https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/employee-re...

tharkun__ 5y ago

I think your example of how the employer behaves is a big part in how people react. If your employer doesn't value you then I think it is absolutely the right thing to do what the person in the article did. Resist. Make other people resist. If possible in more subvertive ways instead of just getting fired loudly. If my employer values me then they don't even have to ask. I'll gladly help the company out where needed. If I know that I actually can take time and a half off in lieu of working on a holiday that's totally OK. These employers do exist. Find them and work for them and make them great.