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If I worked somewhere that had an unlimited vacation policy, I think I'd probably stop working on Fridays all together. An unlimited vacation policy could be an

If I worked somewhere that had an unlimited vacation policy, I think I'd probably stop working on Fridays all together. An unlimited vacation policy could be an open invitation for a 4-day work-week (or 3 day or 2 day...)

laxatives 12y ago
We have an unlimited vacation policy and no one has taken more than 20 days off in a calendar year (not including holidays). That being said, I'm at 18 and only started in September.
wahnfrieden 12y ago
It's expected that you don't abuse the policy. While what constitutes abuse may be a line that needs elaboration, making your standard work week 2-3 days under this policy is not a gray area.
- johnward 12y ago
  Which is exactly why these policies suck. It's "unlimited" but it's implied that you don't take too many days. It's like the comcast of vacation policies.
  - wahnfrieden 12y ago
    That's what the minimum days you must take is for. If the company culture is right, it's a liberating policy. At my new job now it feels like I'm spending a precious commodity instead of booking vacation feeling like reprieve due in the wake of hard work or payoff.
    - johnward 12y ago
      Oh I agree. I like the idea that the article was talking about. I'll be interested in seeing how it works out. It reverses the stigma to almost be where you'd look bad for not taking enough time vs taking too much time.
krschultz 12y ago
It never works out that way. I worked at a company with very limited fixed vacation. We got 10 days a year, but 4 were required to be taken between Christmas and New Years, which really meant you had 6 days to use at your discretion. There were ways to squeeze some extra, but at best you got 2 weeks. My wife was in a similar boat and switched to a VC backed startup with 'unlimited vacation'. I remember high fiving about it and thinking THIS IS AMAZING. Fast forward one year, she had taken 3 days off in the entire year. The next year when she actually went to take a vacation, her boss asked her "oh didn't you go to that island last year?". The fact that she took almost nil vacation the year before was not remembered. You can imagine she left very soon there after. We have grown up a lot since then, and would never get suckered into that situation now. But it happens. When your boss never lets you take vacation, 'unlimited' vacation is 'no' vacation.
IndianAstronaut 12y ago
I think a 4 day workweek should become a thing. I am more than happy to put in extra hours monday through thursday so I can have an extra day for the weekend.
- karmajunkie 12y ago
  I don't think you should have to put in extra hours to have the extra day on the weekend. We should have moved to a 30h workweek years and years ago.

laxatives 12y ago

We have an unlimited vacation policy and no one has taken more than 20 days off in a calendar year (not including holidays). That being said, I'm at 18 and only started in September.

wahnfrieden 12y ago

It's expected that you don't abuse the policy. While what constitutes abuse may be a line that needs elaboration, making your standard work week 2-3 days under this policy is not a gray area.

johnward 12y ago
Which is exactly why these policies suck. It's "unlimited" but it's implied that you don't take too many days. It's like the comcast of vacation policies.
- wahnfrieden 12y ago
  That's what the minimum days you must take is for. If the company culture is right, it's a liberating policy. At my new job now it feels like I'm spending a precious commodity instead of booking vacation feeling like reprieve due in the wake of hard work or payoff.
  - johnward 12y ago
    Oh I agree. I like the idea that the article was talking about. I'll be interested in seeing how it works out. It reverses the stigma to almost be where you'd look bad for not taking enough time vs taking too much time.

krschultz 12y ago

It never works out that way. I worked at a company with very limited fixed vacation. We got 10 days a year, but 4 were required to be taken between Christmas and New Years, which really meant you had 6 days to use at your discretion. There were ways to squeeze some extra, but at best you got 2 weeks. My wife was in a similar boat and switched to a VC backed startup with 'unlimited vacation'. I remember high fiving about it and thinking THIS IS AMAZING. Fast forward one year, she had taken 3 days off in the entire year. The next year when she actually went to take a vacation, her boss asked her "oh didn't you go to that island last year?". The fact that she took almost nil vacation the year before was not remembered. You can imagine she left very soon there after. We have grown up a lot since then, and would never get suckered into that situation now. But it happens. When your boss never lets you take vacation, 'unlimited' vacation is 'no' vacation.

IndianAstronaut 12y ago

I think a 4 day workweek should become a thing. I am more than happy to put in extra hours monday through thursday so I can have an extra day for the weekend.

karmajunkie 12y ago
I don't think you should have to put in extra hours to have the extra day on the weekend. We should have moved to a 30h workweek years and years ago.