Forums

I was made an job offer that was I believe a direct result of this site and group feedback. Much thanks to Manager tools and everyone.

My sticking point is it appropriate to speak/email the hiring manager after speaking with HR and having them say they are not negotiating on a benefit that is being removed?

The base pay is great and the rest of the benefits are also fine. The point is that I first found out in the job offer that the personal days program would terminate after a year. I had counted on those personal 5 days to be added to the 3 weeks vacation I was being offered to come to a total of 4 weeks which was what I was receiving with my previous employer. The hiring manager was out of town so I spoke with HR, she nicely explained that everyone would be losing the week and that they were not negotiating this with new employees nor existing employees.

a) Is it ok for me to send a note to the hiring manager building a case for the extra week
b) If I do should I cc the HR person so there is no surprise
c) do I offer a creative proposal of let them work it out

In the end I will most likely take the job offer but I just want to make sure that I don't miss an opportunity to negotiate if I'm suppose to, to know that at least I tried.

Again much thanks to everyone you guys rock

jhack's picture

Don't push it. Forget about HR. This is a cost saving measure that they don't have authority to mess with right now. (Seen the DJIA recently?)

If it really really matters to you, talk directly to hiring manager. No email. No snail mail. A Phone call.

And no matter how well you present it, you risk being seen as petty.

John

ashdenver's picture

I would agree with JHack on this and I would let it go.

Spend that first year kicking butt and really knocking your boss's socks off so that when the time comes to say "Hey, would you mind if I took Friday off as a comp day for eighteen hour days I put in on the Kerbopple Project? I have some personal things that need to be attended to that had to be put aside to make the Project a success" the boss probably won't think anything of it. Once you've proven your committment and excellence, most bosses are less inclined to be sticklers for the Rule Books.

thaGUma's picture

If everone in the company is getting this, you will get the same. Do not push.

Generally the US is terrible at holiday. Ask Barack for another 5 days for all US workers.

lety's picture

Thanks everyone for your input. I don't know what I was thinking (not thinking) especially during these tough times. I've signed on the dotted line and actually feel relieved that I have finished my job hunting.

:D

ashdenver's picture

Congratulations!! :mrgreen:

US41's picture

Smart move.

I was hiring a contractor on last year as a full-time employee. They were pushing and pushing for anything they could get. Eventually I told them that I wasn't moving on the hire unless they went silent. It's a _big_ company and benefits are really not negotiable at our level. It made an otherwise top performer look very self-centered.

Veterans of a company at the middle and lower levels do not expect that new hires are going to be grandfathered in with sweet golden parachutes and vacation greater than those with ten or twenty years with the company. I think some people read those books about Ross Johnson and others like him and come away thinking those tactics and rewards that he demanded as the CEO of a publicly held company are available on the lower rungs. They are not.

Add to that the fall of the economy, and just count your blessings you have a job that pays your mortgage. A lot of homes are bank-owned now, and more are on the way. It's not over yet. We still have yet to really see the negative effects of what happened in October.

PaulM's picture

Great to hear that you signed! Congratulations!!

John and AshDenver made good points. If you let a hiring manager know that you were willing to forgo the personal days in your negotiations, he would be more likely to let you go home a little early if you have the odd personal need every once in a while. I've done that before, myself.

jhack's picture

Paul's right: when you show them you're a top performer, they'll make reasonable accommodations. And if not, oh well, you're still in a good situation and you can build from there.

and, Congrats!

John

asteriskrntt1's picture

As usual, sage advice from the MT crew.

I had a buddy who took a new job and a serious promotion and pay increase with a new company. However, he made a real stink about the fact he lost his office and was now going to be a cube farmer.

Despite the fact he is an above average performer, that black mark stayed with him and nothing he did ever met their expectations. Six months later, he called his old company begging to come back. Fortunately, they let him...

Perform. A good manager will find a way to give you those personal days.

*RNTT