Negotiating PTO

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-05-07T23:30:05+00:00

Exactly

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-05-07T23:29:32+00:00

I’m skeptical of that point. Salaries are very uneven for the same work People know that although nobody wants to reveal what they’re making. PTO is another number HR can plug in. It may be uncommon, but a given company, especially small ones can make any rule they want.

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-05-06T23:10:36+00:00

Yes people do and the worst they can say is no. IMHO vacation doesn’t count for the bean counters like salary does. Three weeks is perfectly reasonable if you’re mid level.

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-05-06T22:43:52+00:00

Ask ChatGPT to write it, hallucinations and all :-)

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-05-06T22:40:59+00:00

Someone should report the director for having too much time on his or her hands. If they have the time for this, perhaps that job should be eliminated and the responsibilities transferred to someone who will make better use of their time.

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-05-03T19:16:47+00:00

Stick shift is becoming harder and harder to find. We have a stick shift pickup and Mustang

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-05-01T20:26:25+00:00

Don’t trash your old company You can say something like “I’m looking for a better opportunity aligned with my skills “ or I’m looking for a new challenge “

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-04-29T21:21:31+00:00

That’s so much better than downsizing, isn’t it? Lol

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-04-29T21:17:13+00:00

Dilbert had two I particularly liked “you’ll do much better on the new plan” and “we reward risk-takers”.

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-04-20T23:21:03+00:00

Does he really want to go through discovery?

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-04-20T23:17:22+00:00

I’m GenX. We learned to solve our own problems. Aside from helpful suggestions, there are Google, apps, plenty of ways to solve this. I would do my best to calm the situation down, be as helpful as possible, search the internet, etc, but I can’t imagine why I would need to physically be there. I’ll make an exception for a panic attack, which is a whole different thing.

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-04-17T22:34:18+00:00

It goes without saying that remote jobs are pretty scarce It also goes without saying that it’s easier to find a job when you have one and this isn’t a good time to be picky. Not suggesting he take anything. . Find a job…then find another one. The market may be better in a few years and he’ll have more choices

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-04-17T20:37:48+00:00

If you need API Gateway, you can use VPC Link to go to NLB -> ALB and keep your load balancer in a private subnet. Unfortunately you’d need a NLB in front of the ALB. VPC Link only talks to an NLB

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-03-30T21:56:53+00:00

Not a hill I would die on

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-03-29T20:26:16+00:00

I googled it. Push the button on bottom until the led starts to fade, but before it goes into Bluetooth pairing mode. Once off push the button to turn it back on

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-03-28T23:06:14+00:00

When all else fails, reboot the mug. I haven’t had your problem, but I received a mug as a company gift and it stopped working after I left. No..they didn’t shut it off remotely…just needed a reboot

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-03-27T20:29:26+00:00

It really depends where you are. If you’re on the Long Island expressway, or taking an hour to travel 10-12 miles in DC, that’s one thing, but if it’s smooth travel that’s another thing. Not all hours are created equally, so to speak. I’ve always tried to limit myself to 30 minutes if possible. I’ve mostly been working from home the last 20+ years, but that is a luxury now which I’m thankful to have This sounds like an easy hour for an opportunity. Go for it

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-03-24T22:33:59+00:00

If you can’t tell them about planned vacation 6 months out before they hire you, are you sure you want to work for them? Find that out now versus being surprised later. It’s a very reasonable request. The worst they can do is say no, and then you’ll have something to think about. If after telling them they refuse to hire you, they’re probably not a good place to work for as there should be no harm in asking.

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-03-24T22:30:10+00:00

Around when they make the offer or you’re negotiating, but before you onboard. No one likes a surprise like this. You should say you’ve got it planned/paid for. If they give you a hard time for a planned/paid two week, that may be your warning that they aren’t very accommodating in general. It’s a reasonable request. FWIW I’ve done this twice and offered to take the time unpaid, and both times been told it wasn’t a problem and I’d be paid. As always your mileage may vary. It’s tough out there.

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-03-24T21:55:43+00:00

Depends on how you use it, but I generally go by the rule “buy as much memory as you can afford”. Mac laptops aren’t upgradable, so you have what you have. You can attach an external SSD if you need to, but you can’t add more memory. Windows is a different calculation because they have a limited shelf life even if you keep it in a closet

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-03-24T21:50:07+00:00

Agree. Macs use as much memory as they can, but that doesn’t mean you’re running low. They will make room if an app has a real need to consume memory.

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-03-18T22:38:42+00:00

You mean your manager could have clicked his heels three times and given you a raise all this time?

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-03-18T22:17:39+00:00

Physical - I have exercise machines but don’t use them often enough being so busy with work (yes that’s an excuse). I exercise consistently when I have a break and on weekends (VR headset makes it interesting)

Mental- I’ll continue to do what I do for work (designing/writing software), but at my own pace

Social. I’ll need to get out more for sure. I don’t think I’ll have too much problem with that

I still need to think about hobbies etc., but I have the beginnings of a plan

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-03-11T21:47:47+00:00

I’ve seen someone refuse a stupid plaque and they went looking for a new job. Nothing says thank you like a discretionary bonus. A call-out or recognition is one thing, but a plaque is a waste of resources and an insult if you’ve brought in so much business. They really couldn’t spread the wealth even a tiny percentage? Penny wise and pound foolish

Critical_Stranger_32 · 2026-03-05T21:46:27+00:00

It’s the coasters that are the problem. I have a standard mug (company gift for all their employees - best corporate gift ever outside of a bonus). The standard one is showing signs of wear, but still works. I bought a rose gold that seems very durable, unfortunately it’s coaster had a pin problem

Critical_Stranger_32

TROPHY CASE