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Unlimited PTO is a scam and you'll not get 20 days with it, more like 10. 3x a week in the office will increase your monthly budget. So honestly I'd go for the $68k because it's probably less demanding and has a similar net pay once you factor the bonus and the student loan stipend.
this depends on your manager. I had unlimited pto and I loved it even though it did FEEL different asking for days off. I FEEL like I requested way less days off but I’m pretty sure if I added them up I took way more than I think. And there are no forms to fill out or cap. Now I have limited PTO and I’m already almost out I just started at this job. (Moving and got sick). So unlimited PTO is objectively better IMO
"Unlimited PTO" is more of a marketing thing than an actual perk. Rarely is it actually unlimited and there are a ton of ways they prevent people from leaving more than a regular amount of time. I guess it boils down to: how is the commute, and how much do you value remote work? For me, I would rather make $12,000 less and work from home an extra two days. But my commute would also be pretty far from my current job, so that's a consideration.
Subject Expert
We are talking a $10k a year diffence, at 100% earnings, which equates to just under $700 a month after taxes roughly.
First question I would ask is how certain are these bonuses, and secondary, how much will my life change with the extra time in office and $700 a month in my pocket.
No way they have unlimited PTO. That means I could work one day per year and still get a full time yearly salary. If it sounds too good to be true it usually is
Am ok with all jobs
I would take the higher paying job. You can get at least 20 days out of unlimited PTO if you make a plan and schedule it. I would take it because it jumps your salary enough to make the next jump meaningful. You won’t get these kind of raises relying on annual merit.
Which role would you take and why?
Unlimited PTO means they don’t have to track your hours or compensate you for unused time when u leave - it’s just easier. Drs appt - no problem- take 1/2 a day and work the rest from home. Work is light and you want a 3 day wkend - take it. It’s a lot easier than worrying and tallying up each hour - just make sure u get management approval first. People who abuse this will be called out on it. It’s not a free pass. But when my kid had surgery I took weeks off that didn’t need to be put through the hassle of paperwork and FMLA. But - yes - in some places it’s gonna be hard to get time off. It depends on how many people are out and how busy u are.
I’ve consistently heard that “Unlimited PTO” is often a trap where it has so many stipulations as to be almost unusable - be careful about that.
Other than that, is $12k more enough to feel good about 2 extra days on site? Consider gas & travel time - maybe use those calculations to negotiate
It's the reason it's a scam is because it doesn't accrue or roll over. If you have 20 days you use 15 and 5 will roll over.
Also ask about other benefits like heath, gym, expectations for hours. Also consider if you like being in person or at home. Are you a collaborator or independent worker? Are you able to initiate conversations with other virtually so you get known and are seen as valuable or would you need to be in person to build those relationships?
Also consider what you would want if you were to move up and have employees that you manage? Can you manage remotely well?
Unlimited PTO doesn't exist. You will be connected all the time. Beware of free perks that are not free.
My employer offers salaried employees "flex time off" which is time off "within reason". If you're taking too much time or is way more than your colleagues then your manager steps in and starts denying your requests. I've seen people abuse it but my manager is very flexible and it works out great on our team! I still get 20-30 days of paid time off, I don't track it but if it were too much she would certainly say something. I get my work done on time and then some so she doesn't question it.
For the increase in salary and PTO, you can pay your own student loan and the extra driving and gas. How far is the drive that extra day and traffic? Is it worth the hassle? I work from home everyday and never go in at all, It would have to a lot more money for me to get into my car and drive someplace.
I am interested
stay!
12k is not enough to leave in my opinion
Mentor
unlimited PTO to me is a red flag based on my friends experiences with it
$80k and unlimited PTO (flex time off is what my employer calls it) would be enough for me to jump ship as long as the commute isn't much further than what you're already driving. Never rely on a bonus, employers don't actually have to pay it if they struggled and you still succeeded all your goals. Take the higher base pay always.