Without context the second quote sounded to me not like an accusation of slacking but like a warning that the company is bad place to work at (poor life-work balance)...
I recently asked about the "unlimited vacation" policy and received a vague answer about "establishing expectations with your manager" and then was told they went with someone else.
I thought about if I should ask or not but I honestly don't understand how such a policy could be good for employees so I wanted an idea of the culture that allows it. If that question contributed to them not giving me an offer then good riddance so I don't regret asking.
No need to keep asking. If your get is telling you that something's not quite with this "unlimited vacation" policy -- it's because it's a sham, basically.
And everyone at the company knows it -- including and most especially, upper management. Because that's after all where it originated.
I thought about if I should ask or not but I honestly don't understand how such a policy could be good for employees so I wanted an idea of the culture that allows it. If that question contributed to them not giving me an offer then good riddance so I don't regret asking.