[jgs1]

I've found that the small companies I've worked for ignore the HR related policy issues for as long as possible with a mostly negative impact on employee morale.

Owners/management say things like "we're small so we don't have a set vacation policy." Which sounds cool and works out fine until Willy starts coming in at 11 am and leaving at 3 pm and you wonder why you're stuck at the office on a holiday.

IMO It's much better to have set policies so everyone knows where they stand. Another option is to find a company that doesn't hire/tolerate those types of Willys, but that's difficult to know beforehand.

[joeblossom]

I agree -- I've turned down a job before I received a formal offer (was told one was in the works) partly because no one could tell me what the vacation policy was. Not that I'm only interested in time off work, but I do live a few states away from the rest of my family (and many friends) and I'd like to visit them once in a while and not feel guilty.