Its because I am tired of debating the same high minded arguments everytime this topic comes up. sure people can have different opinions then me online, but, I am yet to meet a single person in real life 1-1 conversation (who is IC, managers love it otoh) who actually is better off with unlimited PTO. everyone starts off with the vibe that oh they Understand why companies do it ala logistic benefits etc but you can see thats just a way to 'manage' & rise above their true feelings about. again, star performers & principal level engineers, sure, it may work out okay but for the rest of us mortals its just a scam.
truly ask yourself this, given an anonymous choice with offer, how many people will have the 'unlimited pto' vs good old 4-6 weeks concrete time off that you have to inform your manager not 'discuss & work out'. its BS and you know it. oh and in case you are wondering, I am not some hothead fresh boot out of college, I have spent over 2 decades in valley with multiple startups and FANNGs. so this is not a casual remark.
So, again, it’s not just that anyone who disagrees and appreciates unlimited PTO is wrong, it’s that they’re actually bad people who only think they’re ok with it to kowtow to authority?
You’re using divisive, hyperbolic language to describe people who simply disagree with you or who have worked in places where unlimited felt, to them, like a better deal. Places you have not worked.
The entire point is that people use name-calling, specifically “bootlicker”, when they have nothing of value to say, and just want to punch anyone they disagree with in the metaphoric face.
I have worked places where five weeks was the minimum time you had to take off, with ability to take more, and places where you had limited PTO you were effectively prevented from using and which expired at the end of the year. That you have not had those experiences doesn’t make you the ultimate moral arbiter of truth.
In short, stop calling people names just because you think you have the only possible correct interpretation of something you clearly do not have universal experience in. It’s tacky and ugly.
The only job where I had unlimited PTO was also easily the easiest to take PTO at. I did ask a lot of questions up front, of my direct manager about what it meant, how it was implemented etc. I would 110% go back to that again vs rationing out my 6 weeks. I don't doubt there are places that don't implement it well, but when I say that's the benefit I'd like back the most, it's because of how it worked for me in my experience, not because I'm a bootlicker.
But hey, we aren't face to face so I guess my experience doesn't count.
There are numerous posts from people with differing experiences than yours, none of which boil down to “authority good”.