Sherri Carpineto’s Post

I was offered a VP job with 10 days of PTO. TEN DAYS. That includes sick AND vacation time. This was a company that had actually recruited me too. When I tried to negotiate, I was told they are a public company so they couldn't (I've worked for 3 public companies; PTO is negotiable if you want it to be). When I asked if I could take 1-2 weeks of unpaid time, I was told no. The kicker? The CEO also told me that she wished they had better work/life balance. She IS where the culture starts. The hiring manager assured me she was flexible with time, but I learned long ago if it's not in writing, it's not real!!! The best part? The agency recruiter told me she needed an answer the same day the offer was made. I declined the job (this was a few years back) and stayed at my job back then until I found a better opportunity. They lost a candidate that would have worked incredibly hard. This past year with a sick husband, a dad who was terminally ill and passed away, kids with crazy new schedules (and broken bones) I was reminded of why I made a good decision to say no to that job a few years ago. I’m reminded of how important negotiations are. I’m reminded of how important advocating for yourself and knowing what you’re willing to accept is. I'm also reminded that, sadly for those who have been laid off for a while, they don't always have that power. Instead of undervaluing our employees and candidates, we need to realize they are the biggest asset a company has. I was fortunate to be working and to able to say no. But I’ve been laid off where I can’t afford to. Even in a rough job market, know your non-negotiables. And employers? Being decent just isn’t hard. Be a good human #pto #flexibility #beagoodhuman #jobs #culture

I was offered a VP job with 10 days of PTO. TEN DAYS. That includes sick AND vacation time. This was a company that had actually recruited me too. When I tried to negotiate, I was told they are a public company so they couldn't (I've worked for 3 public companies; PTO is negotiable if you want it to be). When I asked if I could take 1-2 weeks of unpaid time, I was told no. The kicker? The CEO also told me that she wished they had better work/life balance. She IS where the culture starts. The hiring manager assured me she was flexible with time, but I learned long ago if it's not in writing, it's not real!!! The best part? The agency recruiter told me she needed an answer the same day the offer was made. I declined the job (this was a few years back) and stayed at my job back then until I found a better opportunity. They lost a candidate that would have worked incredibly hard. This past year with a sick husband, a dad who was terminally ill and passed away, kids with crazy new schedules (and broken bones) I was reminded of why I made a good decision to say no to that job a few years ago. I’m reminded of how important negotiations are. I’m reminded of how important advocating for yourself and knowing what you’re willing to accept is. I'm also reminded that, sadly for those who have been laid off for a while, they don't always have that power. Instead of undervaluing our employees and candidates, we need to realize they are the biggest asset a company has. I was fortunate to be working and to able to say no. But I’ve been laid off where I can’t afford to. Even in a rough job market, know your non-negotiables. And employers? Being decent just isn’t hard. Be a good human #pto #flexibility #beagoodhuman #jobs #culture

I was offered a VP job with 10 days of PTO. TEN DAYS. That includes sick AND vacation time. This was a company that had actually recruited me too. When I tried to negotiate, I was told they are a public company so they couldn't (I've worked for 3 public companies; PTO is negotiable if you want it to be). When I asked if I could take 1-2 weeks of unpaid time, I was told no. The kicker? The CEO also told me that she wished they had better work/life balance. She IS where the culture starts. The hiring manager assured me she was flexible with time, but I learned long ago if it's not in writing, it's not real!!! The best part? The agency recruiter told me she needed an answer the same day the offer was made. I declined the job (this was a few years back) and stayed at my job back then until I found a better opportunity. They lost a candidate that would have worked incredibly hard. This past year with a sick husband, a dad who was terminally ill and passed away, kids with crazy new schedules (and broken bones) I was reminded of why I made a good decision to say no to that job a few years ago. I’m reminded of how important negotiations are. I’m reminded of how important advocating for yourself and knowing what you’re willing to accept is. I'm also reminded that, sadly for those who have been laid off for a while, they don't always have that power. Instead of undervaluing our employees and candidates, we need to realize they are the biggest asset a company has. I was fortunate to be working and to able to say no. But I’ve been laid off where I can’t afford to. Even in a rough job market, know your non-negotiables. And employers? Being decent just isn’t hard. Be a good human #pto #flexibility #beagoodhuman #jobs #culture

I was offered a VP job with 10 days of PTO. TEN DAYS. That includes sick AND vacation time. When I tried to negotiate, I was told they are a public company so they couldn't offer different PTO options (umm.. I've worked for 3 public companies; PTO is negotiable). When I asked if I could get in writing that I could take 1-2 more weeks of unpaid time, I was told no. They can’t accommodate not paying me. The CEO also told me that she wished they had better work/life balance, and she knows it's hard especially working working parents. I should have stopped right there, but I was in a job at the time I was ready to leave and I secretly hoped they would be open to accommodating (they weren’t) The hiring manager assured me she is flexible with time, but I learned long ago if it's not in writing, it's not real. The best part? The agency recruiter who I was working with told me she needed an answer the same day the offer was made. I told her I wanted to negotiate the PTO. She told me they wouldn’t. I declined the opportunity, stayed at my job for a while longer and they lost a potential employee that would work as hard as anyone they’ve hired. As Summer is upon us and I work hard to find harmony with my kid’s schedules and work I’m reminded of how important flexibility is. I’m reminded of how important negotiations are. I’m reminded of how important advocating for yourself is and knowing what you’re willing to accept and not is. Sadly, for those who are laid off, you don’t feel you have that power as much because you NEED a job. Sometimes that’s the hardest part of all. I was fortunate to be working and able to make that decision to stay no. But I’ve been laid off where I can’t. Even in a rough job market, know your non-negotiables and employers treat your people well! Being decent isn’t hard. Be a good human #negotiations #workingmom #PTO #worklifeharmony

I was offered a VP job with 10 days of PTO. TEN DAYS. That includes sick AND vacation time. When I tried to negotiate, I was told they are a public company so they couldn't offer different PTO options (umm.. I've worked for 3 public companies; PTO is negotiable). When I asked if I could get in writing that I could take 1-2 more weeks of unpaid time, I was told no. They can’t accommodate not paying me. The CEO also told me that she wished they had better work/life balance, and she knows it's hard especially working working parents. I should have stopped right there, but I was in a job at the time I was ready to leave and I secretly hoped they would be open to accommodating (they weren’t) The hiring manager assured me she is flexible with time, but I learned long ago if it's not in writing, it's not real. The best part? The agency recruiter who I was working with told me she needed an answer the same day the offer was made. I told her I wanted to negotiate the PTO. She told me they wouldn’t. I declined the opportunity, stayed at my job for a while longer and they lost a potential employee that would work as hard as anyone they’ve hired. As Summer is upon us and I work hard to find harmony with my kid’s schedules and work I’m reminded of how important flexibility is. I’m reminded of how important negotiations are. I’m reminded of how important advocating for yourself is and knowing what you’re willing to accept and not is. Sadly, for those who are laid off, you don’t feel you have that power as much because you NEED a job. Sometimes that’s the hardest part of all. I was fortunate to be working and able to make that decision to stay no. But I’ve been laid off where I can’t. Even in a rough job market, know your non-negotiables and employers treat your people well! Being decent isn’t hard. Be a good human #negotiations #workingmom #PTO #worklifeharmony

I was offered a VP job with 10 days of PTO. TEN DAYS. That includes sick AND vacation time. When I tried to negotiate, I was told they are a public company so they couldn't offer different PTO options (umm.. I've worked for 3 public companies; PTO is negotiable). When I asked if I could get in writing that I could take 1-2 more weeks of unpaid time, I was told no. They can’t accommodate not paying me. The CEO also told me that she wished they had better work/life balance, and she knows it's hard especially working working parents. I should have stopped right there, but I was in a job at the time I was ready to leave and I secretly hoped they would be open to accommodating (they weren’t) The hiring manager assured me she is flexible with time, but I learned long ago if it's not in writing, it's not real. The best part? The agency recruiter who I was working with told me she needed an answer the same day the offer was made. I told her I wanted to negotiate the PTO. She told me they wouldn’t. I declined the opportunity, stayed at my job for a while longer and they lost a potential employee that would work as hard as anyone they’ve hired. As Summer is upon us and I work hard to find harmony with my kid’s schedules and work I’m reminded of how important flexibility is. I’m reminded of how important negotiations are. I’m reminded of how important advocating for yourself is and knowing what you’re willing to accept and not is. Sadly, for those who are laid off, you don’t feel you have that power as much because you NEED a job. Sometimes that’s the hardest part of all. I was fortunate to be working and able to make that decision to stay no. But I’ve been laid off where I can’t. Even in a rough job market, know your non-negotiables and employers treat your people well! Being decent isn’t hard. Be a good human #negotiations #workingmom #PTO #worklifeharmony

I was offered a VP job with 10 days of PTO. TEN DAYS. That includes sick AND vacation time. When I tried to negotiate, I was told they are a public company so they couldn't offer different PTO options (umm.. I've worked for 3 public companies; PTO is negotiable). When I asked if I could get in writing that I could take 1-2 more weeks of unpaid time, I was told no. They can’t accommodate not paying me. The CEO also told me that she wished they had better work/life balance, and she knows it's hard especially working working parents. I should have stopped right there, but I was in a job at the time I was ready to leave and I secretly hoped they would be open to accommodating (they weren’t) The hiring manager assured me she is flexible with time, but I learned long ago if it's not in writing, it's not real. The best part? The agency recruiter who I was working with told me she needed an answer the same day the offer was made. I told her I wanted to negotiate the PTO. She told me they wouldn’t. I declined the opportunity, stayed at my job for a while longer and they lost a potential employee that would work as hard as anyone they’ve hired. As Summer is upon us and I work hard to find harmony with my kid’s schedules and work I’m reminded of how important flexibility is. I’m reminded of how important negotiations are. I’m reminded of how important advocating for yourself is and knowing what you’re willing to accept and not is. Sadly, for those who are laid off, you don’t feel you have that power as much because you NEED a job. Sometimes that’s the hardest part of all. I was fortunate to be working and able to make that decision to stay no. But I’ve been laid off where I can’t. Even in a rough job market, know your non-negotiables and employers treat your people well! Being decent isn’t hard. Be a good human #negotiations #workingmom #PTO #worklifeharmony

I was offered a VP job with 10 days of PTO. TEN DAYS. That includes sick AND vacation time. When I tried to negotiate, I was told they are a public company so they couldn't offer different PTO options (umm.. I've worked for 3 public companies; PTO is negotiable). When I asked if I could get in writing that I could take 1-2 more weeks of unpaid time, I was told no. They can’t accommodate not paying me. The CEO also told me that she wished they had better work/life balance, and she knows it's hard especially working working parents. I should have stopped right there, but I was in a job at the time I was ready to leave and I secretly hoped they would be open to accommodating (they weren’t) The hiring manager assured me she is flexible with time, but I learned long ago if it's not in writing, it's not real. The best part? The agency recruiter who I was working with told me she needed an answer the same day the offer was made. I told her I wanted to negotiate the PTO. She told me they wouldn’t. I declined the opportunity, stayed at my job for a while longer and they lost a potential employee that would work as hard as anyone they’ve hired. As Summer is upon us and I work hard to find harmony with my kid’s schedules and work I’m reminded of how important flexibility is. I’m reminded of how important negotiations are. I’m reminded of how important advocating for yourself is and knowing what you’re willing to accept and not is. Sadly, for those who are laid off, you don’t feel you have that power as much because you NEED a job. Sometimes that’s the hardest part of all. I was fortunate to be working and able to make that decision to stay no. But I’ve been laid off where I can’t. Even in a rough job market, know your non-negotiables and employers treat your people well! Being decent isn’t hard. Be a good human #negotiations #workingmom #PTO #worklifeharmony

I was offered a VP job with 10 days of PTO. TEN DAYS. That includes sick AND vacation time. When I tried to negotiate, I was told they are a public company so they couldn't offer different PTO options (umm.. I've worked for 3 public companies; PTO is negotiable). When I asked if I could get in writing that I could take 1-2 more weeks of unpaid time, I was told no. They can’t accommodate not paying me. The CEO also told me that she wished they had better work/life balance, and she knows it's hard especially working working parents. I should have stopped right there, but I was in a job at the time I was ready to leave and I secretly hoped they would be open to accommodating (they weren’t) The hiring manager assured me she is flexible with time, but I learned long ago if it's not in writing, it's not real. The best part? The agency recruiter who I was working with told me she needed an answer the same day the offer was made. I told her I wanted to negotiate the PTO. She told me they wouldn’t. I declined the opportunity, stayed at my job for a while longer and they lost a potential employee that would work as hard as anyone they’ve hired. As Summer is upon us and I work hard to find harmony with my kid’s schedules and work I’m reminded of how important flexibility is. I’m reminded of how important negotiations are. I’m reminded of how important advocating for yourself is and knowing what you’re willing to accept and not is. Sadly, for those who are laid off, you don’t feel you have that power as much because you NEED a job. Sometimes that’s the hardest part of all. I was fortunate to be working and able to make that decision to stay no. But I’ve been laid off where I can’t. Even in a rough job market, know your non-negotiables and employers treat your people well! Being decent isn’t hard. Be a good human #negotiations #workingmom #PTO #worklifeharmony

I was offered a VP job with 10 days of PTO. TEN DAYS. That includes sick AND vacation time. When I tried to negotiate, I was told they are a public company so they couldn't offer different PTO options (umm.. I've worked for 3 public companies; PTO is negotiable). When I asked if I could get in writing that I could take 1-2 more weeks of unpaid time, I was told no. They can’t accommodate not paying me. The CEO also told me that she wished they had better work/life balance, and she knows it's hard especially working working parents. I should have stopped right there, but I was in a job at the time I was ready to leave and I secretly hoped they would be open to accommodating (they weren’t) The hiring manager assured me she is flexible with time, but I learned long ago if it's not in writing, it's not real. The best part? The agency recruiter who I was working with told me she needed an answer the same day the offer was made. I told her I wanted to negotiate the PTO. She told me they wouldn’t. I declined the opportunity, stayed at my job for a while longer and they lost a potential employee that would work as hard as anyone they’ve hired. As Summer is upon us and I work hard to find harmony with my kid’s schedules and work I’m reminded of how important flexibility is. I’m reminded of how important negotiations are. I’m reminded of how important advocating for yourself is and knowing what you’re willing to accept and not is. Sadly, for those who are laid off, you don’t feel you have that power as much because you NEED a job. Sometimes that’s the hardest part of all. I was fortunate to be working and able to make that decision to stay no. But I’ve been laid off where I can’t. Even in a rough job market, know your non-negotiables and employers treat your people well! Being decent isn’t hard. Be a good human #negotiations #workingmom #PTO #worklifeharmony