Buying leave

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HavocXphere

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I've got the option to purchase additional leave. Which is pretty much code for unpaid leave since the cost is equal to salary, except I don't need approval to take it.

Considering taking a decent chunk (say 2 weeks additional) & using it to relax.

Two problems:
  • Budget will be iffy for that month
  • Means I can't use the 2 weeks to travel since that's expensive

What do you think...stick to standard allocation or forfeit $$$ to buy some work/life balance back? Think I need to decide tmw (end of financial year).
 
When was the last time you took leave? Working hours?

Depends on how much you NEED the leave. I've done it. Was worth it.
 
Pho3nix said:
Depends on how much you NEED the leave. I've done it. Was worth it.
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Think I might.

Before the current project one of the directors told me they're concerned about me doing multiple high-pressure projects in a row. Told them it's fine & proceeded anyway. Yesterday when I asked what my next project lined up is (it's usually planned a year in advance): "Don't worry about it.". Weird...they already pulled me off 3 other projects so I've got literally nothing to do once this is done...for like 4 months.

So clearly they're ka.k scared that I'm about to implode. Which is making me re-evaluate whether I am OK...

Anyway sob story aside that just triggered musings along work/life balance lines. In particular I realised that sacrificing 4% of salary gets me 40% more leave days. Mind blown. :wtf:

I'd imagine other's arrived at a similar conclusion on the 4%/40% hence the thread.
 
I've have come to believe that time is our most valuable resource in life, we trade for money, we spend it on friends family... Spending your time on yourself is great but if you going to waste it on something like just watching movies the whole day by yourself then the value might not be that great... If you going have some family time, explore your local city, try some new stuff then great, you don't need to spend lots of money on a exotic holiday. If you are feeling stressed then may two or three days around a long weekend is all you really need?

I take unpaid leave about once a year but that's because I choose to only work 11 months a year and travel on the 12th (full 30 days)
 
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Company policy dictates that I have to be booked as AWOL on the system, bu that leads to dissiplinary actions. So no such thing for me. On the flipside I do get 40 days a year
 
Ended up buying a week. Wanted two but the cost...eish.

gertvanjoe said:
Company policy dictates that I have to be booked as AWOL on the system, bu that leads to dissiplinary actions. So no such thing for me. On the flipside I do get 40 days a year
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40 days...jirre. SoE?

Dovi said:
I did it in February. Totally worth it.
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:) Glad to hear it

RVQ said:
I've have come to believe that time is our most valuable resource in life, we trade for money, we spend it on friends family... Spending your time on yourself is great but if you going to waste it on something like just watching movies the whole day by yourself then the value might not be that great... If you going have some family time, explore your local city, try some new stuff then great, you don't need to spend lots of money on a exotic holiday. If you are feeling stressed then may two or three days around a long weekend is all you really need?

I take unpaid leave about once a year but that's because I choose to only work 11 months a year and travel on the 12th (full 30 days)
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I used to do the work 11 months thing - with paid leave - but it's no longer possible. Different leave rules now. :o

Noted @ not sitting watching movies.:whistle:
 
Interesting approach. I think its similar to the USA system. There people often get 10 to 12 days annual leave only so they take unpaid/bought leave instead. Sounds worthwhile anyways.

Used to work and get the min 15 days. Got a new job later that moves me up to 25 days and loving it. Wish I could get 40!
 
My 2c: you're not buying work/life balance.

It's a temporary band aid for a bigger problem.

Negotiate some more flexibility now that you're off big projects for a spell.

You can configure it but the guiding principle is to try and get time to do stuff, if that means half day Fridays or work from home Mondays, whatever it looks like in practice but it's important that it's something you can take into the maelstrom once things kick off for you again on the project front.

Temporary "balance" isn't going to save you from burnout.
 
Having one day off during the week is as good as an extra holiday, imo. You don't feel drained during the other four days, actually feeling pumped to go in.
 
HavocXphere said:
I've got the option to purchase additional leave. Which is pretty much code for unpaid leave since the cost is equal to salary, except I don't need approval to take it.

Considering taking a decent chunk (say 2 weeks additional) & using it to relax.

Two problems:
  • Budget will be iffy for that month
  • Means I can't use the 2 weeks to travel since that's expensive

What do you think...stick to standard allocation or forfeit $$$ to buy some work/life balance back? Think I need to decide tmw (end of financial year).
Click to expand...

You want to relax and you want to travel? Can you have both at the same time?
 
Fro said:
Having one day off during the week is as good as an extra holiday, imo. You don't feel drained during the other four days, actually feeling pumped to go in.
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:wtf: I'm off during the week, but then again, I work weekends too.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Aaah how I love my TOIL allocation when I read these things.
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No TOIL for manager & above our side. :(

Cius said:
Interesting approach. I think its similar to the USA system.
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US is completely insane in this regard - people don't seem to take even their allocated days. It's not healthy imo.

beans100 said:
You want to relax and you want to travel? Can you have both at the same time?
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Tempted to just sit on the beach & do nothing. But seems like a waste not to use a week for travel.

SlinkyMike said:
My 2c: you're not buying work/life balance.

It's a temporary band aid for a bigger problem.
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Thanks for this comment - it's insightful. And yes your assessment is 100%, all options available scream bandaid.:o

SlinkyMike said:
Negotiate some more flexibility now that you're off big projects for a spell.
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Big corporate = very rigid rules. Best I can hope for is a project that is more chilled.
 
HavocXphere said:
25, but remember UK side there aren't a million public holidays. So 25 feels like less than it sounds.
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Plenty of bank holidays to go around.

But ja I think it always feels less as we simply acclimatize to it regardless of how much it is.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Plenty of bank holidays to go around.

But ja I think it always feels less as we simply acclimatize to it regardless of how much it is.
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About 10 less than ZA.

Anyway...was told yesterday current project is possibly getting extended. FFS...I wanna go home
 
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