Seems like whatever policy the new company has regarding vacation time has to be honored or the existing employees will have a hard time accepting your additional time. Can't you take the 2 weeks for the first year and then take more in the 2nd? That would seem to be small concession given all the pluses.

This is a private sector company.

I just talked with them, they stated two weeks is all they give new employees. I could pay them money and they would give me additional days.

Right now, I don't want to give this up (I really do hate being unemployed) BUT today I have had two other companies set up interviews with me for early next week. One is down the street from our house.

Yep, I work too hard! I just think/know I would come in with a bad attitude and looking to leave in short order if I don't get the time off necessary. I would HATE myself to do that...

All they can say is "No".... You definitely have to ask. However I've found it rare for companies to negotiate on vacation. Getting more pay is easier.

David,

I know I am late to this party but, for the benefit of others.

Many years ago I had a similar conversation with a friend.

His postion was that he told the employer that he took 6 weeks a year off for R&R.

They countered that they only pay for 2 weeks.

He repeated that he took 6 weeks off and NOW lets talk about when he will be paid, why it will be ok of him to take unpaid leave and how the unpaid leave affects his other benefits and annual salary.

FWIW: He calculated his acceptable salary based on getting 100% of his pay within the time they would be paying for him (48 weeks in this case).

Perhaps what you need to get clear is that 1) You will get the time off (paid or unpaid); 2) They will pay you for some; and 3) You get the balance as leave without pay with no penalties (loss of insurance, seniority, no "part time status", etc).

Harry,

FWIW: Company stated they never negotiate these things. I put them off and gave good reason why I wanted three paid weeks. Co. came back, said I could pay them 7% of my salary to have one additional week off for this year only. I went into why I thought I was worth three weeks and how I had five weeks before. We put each other off. I interviewed elsewhere.

Co. came back, Two weeks, one I could buy at 7% of my salary this year and possibly in future years. They do not negotiate. I interviewed with another company.

I called company back and went back into why I felt three weeks was the bare minimum. I made a case for what I bring to the table and the background I can give them. They do not have my skill set in house and they even admit they are losing money because they do not have people with the insight I have picked up over the decades. They do not negotiate.

Company called back, we will give you the three weeks, not an issue. Please start ASAP.

Department of Defense calls me up and offers me position. 50% of the pay but MUCH better benefits and I can get the pay back up in about two years if I meet several achievable goals. Pay is not the most important thing.

Bottom line, I guess if the REALLY want you, any REASONABLE request can be reviewed. From the companies point of view, good people will find a place to be even in a bad market. If we had not spent the week going back and forth, I would have been there and not continued interviewing or taking phone calls...

David,

Like you said, everything is negotiable if they want you. As long as you got what you needed in the end, then you are in a good place.

Are you a GS employee? What DoD facility?

FWIW, I work for the Oregon Air National Guard Civil Engineering Squardron.

I'm unclear what job you actually took. If with the DoD, you might be able to get a service credit for your prior years' experience. Some agencies will do this...you then begin accruing leave as if you've been there for the 25 years. It's a nice benefit.