No vacation in offer?

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
JamesL1585

JamesL1585

TheAntiSavior?
15+ Year Member
Joined
Feb 9, 2006
Messages
569
Reaction score
164
Points
4,651
Location
Houstonlantavegas
Website
www.studentdoctornetwork.net
  1. Pharmacist
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
So I got an offer from a community pharmacy, supposedly one of the best. Pay is great, tech support, great. Benefits not so great but great after one year. First year is awful. I get no 401k, no stock, medical after 90 days, but the worst.... NO VACATION.

Before I accepted the offer I met with one district manager. She said I could negotiate vacartion (Sounded like she was gonna give me a little). But the position she had was too far and she did want me but just wasn't sure about the drive so she sent me to another district manager who took me on, she was excited to have me too, but when it came to vacation and negotiating she gave me the "theres several other great pharmacist who really want this position so I'm not at terms to negotiate anything." Seriously though, I have a doctorate degree, and I can't get a damn week of vacation? Anyone else have this happen? If so how'd you handle it? I'm thinking of contacting corporate, or maybe sending the other lady a letter. I already accepted the position just 2 days earlier, but the more I think about it the more upset I get. Someone give some light/advice please. Thanks.
 
JamesL1585 said:
So I got an offer from a community pharmacy, supposedly one of the best. Pay is great, tech support, great. Benefits not so great but great after one year. First year is awful. I get no 401k, no stock, medical after 90 days, but the worst.... NO VACATION.

Before I accepted the offer I met with one district manager. She said I could negotiate vacartion (Sounded like she was gonna give me a little). But the position she had was too far and she did want me but just wasn't sure about the drive so she sent me to another district manager who took me on, she was excited to have me too, but when it came to vacation and negotiating she gave me the "theres several other great pharmacist who really want this position so I'm not at terms to negotiate anything." Seriously though, I have a doctorate degree, and I can't get a damn week of vacation? Anyone else have this happen? If so how'd you handle it? I'm thinking of contacting corporate, or maybe sending the other lady a letter. I already accepted the position just 2 days earlier, but the more I think about it the more upset I get. Someone give some light/advice please. Thanks.
Click to expand...

Typical chain offer at CVS, RAD, WAG. 0 vacation for 1 year then vacation after... Nothing you can do about it.
 
Typical offer for most corporate jobs regardless of setting esp at an entry level position (which is what a staff pharmacist is)
 
Unfortunately this is nothing new. New grads are getting squeezed. Don't expect them to treat you any better once you have started to work for them.

They will use and abuse new grads and a lot of them won't last for a year so why give them benefits?

Are they guaranteeing you 40 hours a week?
 
Are they going to float you? From what I know if you don't keep up with their "numbers" they will float you to a store that is 2 hours away from your home and only give you 4 hours a day.
 
I would like to say get over it.... at least you were offered a job. I know plenty of new grads who don't have that. Besides if your working retail which I assume you are, for the most part your only working 3 days a week.... If you call corporate or try to write a letter and all that jazz they might get rid of you.... 90 day probation. If you thought you could find a better job than you probably should have.... lighten up!!!! Not being mean, I'm just saying....
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Sparda29 said:
Suckas, we get 4 weeks of vacation to start with in hospital.
Click to expand...

ofn0on.jpg
 
Well, what do you get for vacation after the first year? I didn't get any vacation days for my first year either (hospital).
 
Pharmacy Kid said:
I wouldn't take it. I really like my 30 vacation days + 10 holidays. How would you take out friends or family visiting? Go on a trip with a buddy?
Click to expand...

That's a pretty sweet deal. I think we only get that like after 15-20 years.
 
Pharmacy Kid said:
I wouldn't take it. I really like my 30 vacation days + 10 holidays. How would you take out friends or family visiting? Go on a trip with a buddy?
Click to expand...

The benefits in our gov't sector are outrageous. It is no wonder we are in so much debt. It would be nice if our gov't could actually be run like a business. Most gov't jobs offer more security, better benefits and in most cases (probably not yours) better pay than the private sector.
 
Unchained said:
The benefits in our gov't sector are outrageous. It is no wonder we are in so much debt. It would be nice if our gov't could actually be run like a business. Most gov't jobs offer more security, better benefits and in most cases (probably not yours) better pay than the private sector.
Click to expand...

Not entirely true.

I get 13 vacation days per year. However, these are cumulative, with a day earned every 4 weeks, so I cannot take a weeklong vacation until later in the year. Also, this really is not effective for scheduling job interviews. With sick days, sure I get 13 of them per year, but it's not like I can take too many considering I'm still trying to impress my hospital into hiring me long-term, and we are currently understaffed on our floors.
 
bacillus1 said:
Not entirely true.

I get 13 vacation days per year. However, these are cumulative, with a day earned every 4 weeks, so I cannot take a weeklong vacation until later in the year. Also, this really is not effective for scheduling job interviews. With sick days, sure I get 13 of them per year, but it's not like I can take too many considering I'm still trying to impress my hospital into hiring me long-term, and we are currently understaffed on our floors.
Click to expand...

You must be a resident at the VA. I was in your shoes not long ago. :meanie:

Keep in mind that you get all 10 government holidays off on top of your vacations. It feels pretty good to be goofing off on columbus, Washington, MLK, veterans day, etc. :naughty: A lot of hospitals now do PTO, where you might have 4+ weeks of PTOs but holidays and sick days come out of that.

Sick days do suck for health younger employees. I get 6-7 days a year of that, totally useless, and they don't carry over at all.
 
xiphoid2010 said:
You must be a resident at the VA. I was in your shoes not long ago. :meanie:

Keep in mind that you get all 10 government holidays off on top of your vacations. It feels pretty good to be goofing off on columbus, Washington, MLK, veterans day, etc. :naughty: A lot of hospitals now do PTO, where you might have 4+ weeks of PTOs but holidays and sick days come out of that.

Sick days do suck for health younger employees. I get 6-7 days a year of that, totally useless, and they don't carry over at all.
Click to expand...

Qft. I haven't taken one sick day in the last 5 years or so.
 
xiphoid2010 said:
Sick days do suck for health younger employees. I get 6-7 days a year of that, totally useless, and they don't carry over at all.
Click to expand...

I haven't used mine for 4.5 years either. Mine accumulates and gets paid out after a certain hours.

Believe me, if it didn't accumulate and just expires, you'd hear me often saying "I am not feeling well, I have a stomach virus/medical/dental procedure schedule/migraine/catch a cold" 7 days out of the year while I am out doing whatever. I am not gonna give them a single cent. Nada. A corporation or hospital doesn't care if you work or sick for 7 days. The time is there for you to use. No one is telling you to let it expires, even your technicians know this. Is it ethical? :barf: LOL
 
If you have any balls you'll tell them thanks but no thanks. Accepting that offer would be pathetic and people should disrespect you for a decision like that. What a slap in the face.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
the man gotta eat and pays back his student loans
 
BenJammin said:
If you have any balls you'll tell them thanks but no thanks. Accepting that offer would be pathetic and people should disrespect you for a decision like that. What a slap in the face.
Click to expand...

It's a tough market out there. If I remember correctly, he graduated in 2012. 2013 grads will further flood the market. He doesn't have many choices. I would take it if I were him.
 
BMBiology said:
It's a tough market out there. If I remember correctly, he graduated in 2012. 2013 grads will further flood the market. He doesn't have many choices. I would take it if I were him.
Click to expand...

Ditto. Its one year. Cry me a river if you've never gone a year without taking any vacation days 🙄
 
to be fair, it's hard going from spring break, summer break, winter break to no break
 
As has been mentioned, its pretty common for most jobs that there is no vacation the first year (I assume you will be getting vacation the 2nd year....if the job *never* gives any vacation, I would be looking for another job.) With the exception of jobs that have ET/PTO, you will be hard pressed to find a job that gives vacation the first year.
 
wal-mart huh? hahahaha

anyways, arent u experienced? usually they will match the vacation u had at ur old job

but each district is different

it doesnt hurt to ask

but if the DM says not after one year, then u have to reply "sir, yes sir!"
 
xiphoid2010 said:
You must be a resident at the VA. I was in your shoes not long ago. :meanie:

Keep in mind that you get all 10 government holidays off on top of your vacations. It feels pretty good to be goofing off on columbus, Washington, MLK, veterans day, etc. :naughty: A lot of hospitals now do PTO, where you might have 4+ weeks of PTOs but holidays and sick days come out of that.

Sick days do suck for health younger employees. I get 6-7 days a year of that, totally useless, and they don't carry over at all.
Click to expand...

Oh, you got all 10 off? We have to work during 3 of the 10. I guess still better than most residents though.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
Man up and tell them to piss off. No job is better than a job without vacation time during the first year.
 
Thanks for the responses. Some I don't know what to do with, but yea.. thanks anyways lol.

I will have a light float, but from what it sounds like 75% of my hours will come from one store.. The pay is really good, can't really complain, seems like a comfortable place to work. But the vacation is just killing me.

For all those who say quit, don't take the offer, I just want to tell you guys that you're all very out of touch with the realism of the saturation in metropolitan cities.

This position is about 25 miles outside of a major city. Yes, I did get 2 other offers, and I'm accepting this one because its the best company to work for and not go crazy, but I really didn't know this was common for you to graduate with a doctorate degree and not get a week for vacation. I feel like they give janitors that much. Shoot me for not knowing. But still doesn't make it right. But at least now I know this is standard practice so I guess I just have to deal with it.

By the way, the other two positions did have vacations associated with them, but just haven't heard the greatest things about the companies.
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
JamesL1585 said:
Thanks for the responses. Some I don't know what to do with, but yea.. thanks anyways lol.

I will have a light float, but from what it sounds like 75% of my hours will come from one store.. The pay is really good, can't really complain, seems like a comfortable place to work. But the vacation is just killing me.

For all those who say quit, don't take the offer, I just want to tell you guys that you're all very out of touch with the realism of the saturation in metropolitan cities.

This position is about 25 miles outside of a major city. Yes, I did get 2 other offers, and I'm accepting this one because its the best company to work for and not go crazy, but I really didn't know this was common for you to graduate with a doctorate degree and not get a week for vacation. I feel like they give janitors that much. Shoot me for not knowing. But still doesn't make it right. But at least now I know this is standard practice so I guess I just have to deal with it.

By the way, the other two positions did have vacations associated with them, but just haven't heard the greatest things about the companies.
Click to expand...

Congrats on the job offer. Even though you dont have any vacation, you can trade shifts so that you can take one if you want.

I have took took two vacations so far, about to take a third for memorial day weekend. I have not used any vacation time yet even though I have 3 weeks. I might trade a few shifts and go to Thailand for a month.
 
JamesL1585 said:
Thanks for the responses. Some I don't know what to do with, but yea.. thanks anyways lol.

I will have a light float, but from what it sounds like 75% of my hours will come from one store.. The pay is really good, can't really complain, seems like a comfortable place to work. But the vacation is just killing me.

For all those who say quit, don't take the offer, I just want to tell you guys that you're all very out of touch with the realism of the saturation in metropolitan cities.

This position is about 25 miles outside of a major city. Yes, I did get 2 other offers, and I'm accepting this one because its the best company to work for and not go crazy, but I really didn't know this was common for you to graduate with a doctorate degree and not get a week for vacation. I feel like they give janitors that much. Shoot me for not knowing. But still doesn't make it right. But at least now I know this is standard practice so I guess I just have to deal with it.

By the way, the other two positions did have vacations associated with them, but just haven't heard the greatest things about the companies.
Click to expand...


Welcome to adult life is all I have to say.
 
Corpseman said:
Welcome to adult life is all I have to say.
Click to expand...

Hmmm.. U guys confuse adult life for fair working conditions. I won't get on a tantrum (well I can't promise that) but I know plenty of "adults" that have a vacation, and are far less educated and make far less wages than we do. And worked far less hard to get basic working conditions.

The problem with the profession is at some point, we allowed less working conditions to happen, and followers and sheep like the above who say "get over it, welcome to adult life blah blah" began to accept it instead of come together as a group or association and work together.. And honestly this is why we are the least respected healthcare professionals by our (majority) employers.

Anyone care to disagree with the above?
 
Last edited:
JamesL1585 said:
The problem with the profession is at some point, we allowed less working conditions to happen, and followers and sheep like the above who say "get over it, welcome to adult life blah blah" began to accept it instead of come together as a group or association and work together.. And honestly this is why we are the least respected healthcare professionals by our (majority) employers.
Click to expand...

If you actually meant to do something about this then would have laughed in the hiring managers face when she told you the position had no vacation benefits upon hire. But because you accepted it, you're just as much a "sheep" in the pasture as the others pharmacists you complain about.

You had two other offers with vacation benefits. I don't see why you feel wronged here.
 
Hi James!

Survived DMTM 2 and have started rotations. Good to hear you are doing well.

My take on it is that during the shortage decent to awesome benefits (including signing bonuses) were used to lure pharmacists. Unfortunately, now that there is a surplus, those more than standard benefits have been removed...so no more bonuses, and back to basics vacation packages.

It is pretty common in the starting working world to not have vacation for the first year. However, I usually would see that sort of thing with lower paid full time workers. So basically that is around $40,000 and under. Anyone in the private sector making $60,000 and up usually was given at least one week off in the first year, maybe not available until the final six months of the first year though. But that was back when business was doing well pre-2008. Now all bets are off in all fields. People who were making $60,000 for one type of job are now doing the same type of job for half that amount. And their benefits, including vacations have been slashed, as well.

So, as pharmacists we have the double whammy of both the failing economy and the pharmacist surplus pulling down benefits and even starting wages to probably the lowest levels seen...or at least lowest levels seen until next year. Companies have no incentive to give more because frankly, they don't have to. I don't think it is right or fair but coming from a bottom line spreadsheet kind of mentality, I think the major players in the pharmacy business probably feel like they took it up the _ _ _, during the shortage....requiring them to keep employees that were no good, pay bonuses, etc. just to keep stores functional. Now the feeling might be resentful since the tide has turned and there is a surplus. As a result, this may be why they are unwilling to give anymore than they have to do get a pharmacist hired. All corporations are going to try to save money here and there and one week's worth of pharmacist vacation pay x the # of new pharmacists hired probably amounts to a pretty penny.
 
Hell I got two weeks PTO as a damn resident... a damn TEMP employee!

But this sounds typical of the new world we're in. I say take it, it beats unemployment...be prepared to jump after a while to greener pastures.
 
I would decline and see if they would not counter offer. Sounds like vacation is important to you and I agree!
 
if he declined, the next offer will be to a new grad. they are not going make an exception
 
Advertisement - Members don't see this ad
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

C
PRN Hospital Job Claims No Flexibility on Wage Rate
Replies
3
Views
1K
PharmDBro2017
PharmDBro2017
H
just checking in
Replies
12
Views
2K
hello_world02
H
C
11,386 PharmD graduates in 2024
Replies
2
Views
2K
clarkbar
C
J
ACCP review book for BCPS in pharmacotherapy
Replies
0
Views
1K
jarjar5606
J
R
Multiple suicides among CVS employees in Pennsylvania
Replies
9
Views
3K
bluc
B
Top Bottom