[NumberCruncher]

From this thread:

>> a few people who take a bit more holiday than others, but I don't think they are over-stepping what's reasonable

>> as long as you're being reasonable, and you communicate your intention early enough for deadlines

>> If it is being abused your manager will speak to you about it.

Maybe it is just me but I miss the "unlimited" part of the "unlimited vacation policy". Unlimited is not always reasonable, non-abusive, manager-happy-making. It is unlimited.

For example at my last job I took over a process where my predecessor struggled getting things done and missed deadlines regularly. I am not a genius but too lazy so I automated the hell out of the process so that I only needed 3-4 days a month to accomplish everything on time. With an "unlimited vacation policy" I just could have taken the other 16 days of the month off. But seriously, does this actually happen to anyone? Only if is your business and you are your own boss.

[edit] Hier in Germany it is common to have 30 days holiday a year. Nobody would call it "unlimited" but "not enough".

[wreath]

Is this how it works for startups as well? Which part of Germany are you referring to?

[NumberCruncher]

It is common for big corps. Here in Bavaria some employers give you only 27 days of holiday because we have 3 more days of christian holidays. In the car industry you have additionally only a 35-38 hour work week.

Biased subjective opinion: no sane person having any other option would work for a start-up. Therefore the start-up employees have worse conditions. My ex-GF had 24 holidays and a 40+8 hour work week (+8 hours for unpaid overtime if necessary).

[wayn3]

It is not so much "common" as it is "law". The law mandates a certain amount of holidays in addition to national holidays.

Its 23 or something along those lines of mandated "days off".