Comments on: Negotiating for perks when raises are off the table http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/ Common sense advice on money saving tips, how to get out of debt, high interest savings accounts, cd rates, money market accounts, mortgage rates, money management and more. Sat, 25 May 2013 17:04:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Carla http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3300269 Carla Mon, 18 Mar 2013 21:51:51 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3300269 I love the idea of asking for vacation time. I don't have any given that I'm part-time and work for a very small company that don't offer benefits. I've been here a year and took two days off, Thanksgiving and Christmas. After the end of year two I may ask for a day or two, but it depends on how the company as a whole is doing; I also don't want to rock the boat. I love the idea of asking for vacation time. I don’t have any given that I’m part-time and work for a very small company that don’t offer benefits. I’ve been here a year and took two days off, Thanksgiving and Christmas. After the end of year two I may ask for a day or two, but it depends on how the company as a whole is doing; I also don’t want to rock the boat.

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]]> By: Nick @ ayoungpro.com http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3300235 Nick @ ayoungpro.com Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:30:23 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3300235 I love the working from home perk idea, maybe I should give that one a try! :) I love the working from home perk idea, maybe I should give that one a try! :)

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]]> By: Tony@WeOnlyDoThisOnce http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3300223 Tony@WeOnlyDoThisOnce Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:22:25 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3300223 Great tips for a common situation! Thanks for this, Ellen. Great tips for a common situation! Thanks for this, Ellen.

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]]> By: Honey Smith http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3300215 Honey Smith Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:17:14 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3300215 Yeah, work/life separation is too important to me to be getting work email on my phone. Yeah, work/life separation is too important to me to be getting work email on my phone.

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]]> By: Honey Smith http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3300209 Honey Smith Mon, 18 Mar 2013 17:14:57 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3300209 Wow. Last year I took 9 sick days and 23 vacation days. Currently, I have 17 days of vacation accrued as well as 14 days of sick time. That's pretty much my average at any given time. It's one of the perks of working for the state ;-) How much does this vary by employer? I try to be strategic in my use of time, which helps me hold on to a lot of it. If I take Mon/Tues/Weds the week of Thanksgiving, I get 9 days off in a row for the price of 3. In December, I was able to take 4 days of vacation and get 11 days off in a row. Wow. Last year I took 9 sick days and 23 vacation days. Currently, I have 17 days of vacation accrued as well as 14 days of sick time. That’s pretty much my average at any given time. It’s one of the perks of working for the state ;-) How much does this vary by employer?

I try to be strategic in my use of time, which helps me hold on to a lot of it. If I take Mon/Tues/Weds the week of Thanksgiving, I get 9 days off in a row for the price of 3. In December, I was able to take 4 days of vacation and get 11 days off in a row.

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]]> By: PB http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3300161 PB Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:15:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3300161 Just be aware that there are a lot of records management issues involved in personal use of company computers and phones. Where are your emails, pictures, etc., being stored and archived? If you look at pornography on a company machine, is the company liable for its use or charges to its account? Do you want your private business, like banking, held in company servers? I don't think this is a good idea. Just be aware that there are a lot of records management issues involved in personal use of company computers and phones. Where are your emails, pictures, etc., being stored and archived? If you look at pornography on a company machine, is the company liable for its use or charges to its account? Do you want your private business, like banking, held in company servers?

I don’t think this is a good idea.

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]]> By: Juli http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3300151 Juli Mon, 18 Mar 2013 13:51:24 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3300151 If you use a work cell phone for personal use, I believe you are technically supposed to be paying taxes on the percentage of non-work related usage. I don't have one, so I've never looked into the particulars, but just something to think about. If you use a work cell phone for personal use, I believe you are technically supposed to be paying taxes on the percentage of non-work related usage. I don’t have one, so I’ve never looked into the particulars, but just something to think about.

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]]> By: Mr.Bonner@bonnersbillions http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299869 Mr.Bonner@bonnersbillions Sun, 17 Mar 2013 20:58:43 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299869 If you are going to go the telecommuting route you might also try to get them to cover your internet expenses at home. Last year I got a work iPhone and I'm not really doing anything that I don't mind Big Brother watching over, so I decided to end my personal iPhone and sold it on Ebay. If you are going to go the telecommuting route you might also try to get them to cover your internet expenses at home.

Last year I got a work iPhone and I’m not really doing anything that I don’t mind Big Brother watching over, so I decided to end my personal iPhone and sold it on Ebay.

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]]> By: KS http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299843 KS Sun, 17 Mar 2013 20:23:36 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299843 No matter how many ideas/choices you come up with...it all depends on how the company is doing financially. If it is NOT doing well financially - you can try for 'other types of benefits,' but it is pretty doubtful you will get anything additional than what they originally offered. Always try though! The worst is they can say no. You will never know if they will say yes unless you try. No matter how many ideas/choices you come up with…it all depends on how the company is doing financially. If it is NOT doing well financially – you can try for ‘other types of benefits,’ but it is pretty doubtful you will get anything additional than what they originally offered. Always try though! The worst is they can say no. You will never know if they will say yes unless you try.

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]]> By: celyg http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299761 celyg Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:26:12 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299761 Company stock is another perk that can come in handy. Even if raises are frozen, you can push for a stock grant. It also shows a commitment both ways for the long(er) term, since you'll typically have to wait a year for the first vesting event. Tuition is a great one. My last company paid for a 9-month writing course; a current co-worker is getting our company to pay for her MBA (negotiated during her last review). Conferences and travel can also fall into this category. If there is a conference that you really want to attend and will be beneficial for your career (SXSW, CES, every industry has big ones), you can ask to have the pass and travel paid by the company. If it's in a great location, you can also tag on a few days of your own (hotel paid by you, of course) to sightsee. I've spoken at or attended conferences in Austin, Germany, San Diego, and San Francisco. Really hoping I can make it to a major conference in Tokyo this year! Company stock is another perk that can come in handy. Even if raises are frozen, you can push for a stock grant. It also shows a commitment both ways for the long(er) term, since you’ll typically have to wait a year for the first vesting event.

Tuition is a great one. My last company paid for a 9-month writing course; a current co-worker is getting our company to pay for her MBA (negotiated during her last review).

Conferences and travel can also fall into this category. If there is a conference that you really want to attend and will be beneficial for your career (SXSW, CES, every industry has big ones), you can ask to have the pass and travel paid by the company. If it’s in a great location, you can also tag on a few days of your own (hotel paid by you, of course) to sightsee. I’ve spoken at or attended conferences in Austin, Germany, San Diego, and San Francisco. Really hoping I can make it to a major conference in Tokyo this year!

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]]> By: Holly@ClubThrifty http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299735 Holly@ClubThrifty Sun, 17 Mar 2013 18:15:34 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299735 ***separate ***separate

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]]> By: Holly@ClubThrifty http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299679 Holly@ClubThrifty Sun, 17 Mar 2013 17:42:52 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299679 Oh, me too! I think I would rather have more vacation days than another raise at this point. I get 20 days per year, but they are PTO days so I don't have any seperate sick days. Oh, me too! I think I would rather have more vacation days than another raise at this point. I get 20 days per year, but they are PTO days so I don’t have any seperate sick days.

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]]> By: Holly@ClubThrifty http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299677 Holly@ClubThrifty Sun, 17 Mar 2013 17:40:09 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299677 I totally agree. My husband and I both have free smartphones through work. I love having a smartphone and not paying for it but it often means that I get texted and called after work hours. I totally agree. My husband and I both have free smartphones through work. I love having a smartphone and not paying for it but it often means that I get texted and called after work hours.

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]]> By: Michelle http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299667 Michelle Sun, 17 Mar 2013 17:11:08 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299667 I plan on asking for more vacation days soon. That's the main thing I'm wanting right now :) I plan on asking for more vacation days soon. That’s the main thing I’m wanting right now :)

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]]> By: monsterzero http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299619 monsterzero Sun, 17 Mar 2013 14:28:22 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299619 I've negotiated a smartphone with paid data plan and also I work a half-day on Fridays. After the first phone wore out, I decided to buy my own, which allowed me to pick out my own model. With the 2yr contract discount it was pretty cheap, and I don't have the monthly bill or the personal use/privacy issues. I'm not on salary, so leaving at noon on Friday means I give up about 10% of my paycheck. But right now I can afford it and it is SO worth it to me. Also, if I need the money, I can go back to 40 hours whenever I want. I’ve negotiated a smartphone with paid data plan and also I work a half-day on Fridays.

After the first phone wore out, I decided to buy my own, which allowed me to pick out my own model. With the 2yr contract discount it was pretty cheap, and I don’t have the monthly bill or the personal use/privacy issues.

I’m not on salary, so leaving at noon on Friday means I give up about 10% of my paycheck. But right now I can afford it and it is SO worth it to me. Also, if I need the money, I can go back to 40 hours whenever I want.

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]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299617 Elizabeth Sun, 17 Mar 2013 14:25:41 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299617 Good point! I look for tuition benefits and training as part of any compensation package. Amazing how many companies support taking classes, going to conferences, etc, but expect you to do it on your own dime! Another thing I would add is health benefits. Friends of mine get their gym memberships and fitness classes partly paid for through work. Good point! I look for tuition benefits and training as part of any compensation package. Amazing how many companies support taking classes, going to conferences, etc, but expect you to do it on your own dime!

Another thing I would add is health benefits. Friends of mine get their gym memberships and fitness classes partly paid for through work.

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]]> By: Babs http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299603 Babs Sun, 17 Mar 2013 14:05:50 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299603 Good point! I would have to say that tuition reimbursement is one of the most useful perks I ever took advantage of. Good point! I would have to say that tuition reimbursement is one of the most useful perks I ever took advantage of.

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]]> By: @pfinMario http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299585 @pfinMario Sun, 17 Mar 2013 13:14:48 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299585 Yes, this makes a lot of sense. I'd also suggest asking for transit benefits since these can often be treated as pre-payroll expenses and asking for additional education or training benefits Yes, this makes a lot of sense. I’d also suggest asking for transit benefits since these can often be treated as pre-payroll expenses and asking for additional education or training benefits

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]]> By: dan s http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299575 dan s Sun, 17 Mar 2013 13:03:18 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299575 Don't forget gym memberships! It should be quite easy to sell to your boss. Don’t forget gym memberships! It should be quite easy to sell to your boss.

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]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299551 Elizabeth Sun, 17 Mar 2013 12:18:14 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299551 Pretty much! Some people I know who have a work smart phone also have a personal smart phone because company policy prohibits them from using company equipement for personal use. Same goes for laptops -- I've always had a work laptop (provided by the company) and a home laptop. Anything you do on company equipment belongs to the company -- do people really want their photos, email, internet surfing accessible to their employers? I certainly don't. Pretty much! Some people I know who have a work smart phone also have a personal smart phone because company policy prohibits them from using company equipement for personal use. Same goes for laptops — I’ve always had a work laptop (provided by the company) and a home laptop.

Anything you do on company equipment belongs to the company — do people really want their photos, email, internet surfing accessible to their employers? I certainly don’t.

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]]> By: My Financial Independence Journey http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2013/03/17/negotiating-for-perks-when-raises-are-off-the-table/comment-page-1/#comment-3299541 My Financial Independence Journey Sun, 17 Mar 2013 11:47:53 +0000 http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/?p=162249#comment-3299541 A lot of companies are open to perks, especially if you are classified as a knowledge worker. But free phones and free laptops often come with the downside that you may wind up being almost permanently on call. A lot of companies are open to perks, especially if you are classified as a knowledge worker. But free phones and free laptops often come with the downside that you may wind up being almost permanently on call.

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