Most Vacation Days a Job Has Given You

Most places I've worked, two weeks is standard for lower ranked employees. When climbing the ladder though, it gets higher as you go. I've been lucky. At some places, I've had 20 days, while at others (one in particular), taking a day off was like pulling teeth (and that's not including the rare case of FTO - forced time off - on a pure regulatory/necessary basis). I'd put in a day off request 3 months in advance and be told I couldn't have a decision until two weeks out. No matter what the reason I had for requesting the time off, it was always either I can't give you the time off now and ask again as it gets closer or a flat out no. As long as you give proper notice, people may guilt you into not taking it, but they can't stop you from using it, especially if there is a number of days that cap when they are rolled over.

Funny story about time off though... I have a friend who worked for a place that gave him unlimited PTO. The guy busted his ass, worked like a dog, took the odd day off here or there for things that he couldn't schedule around and telecommuted on those days. When he finally booked a vacation, he did it 4 months in advance, clears it with his manager and everything, taking a week to travel abroad. They let him go the day before he was supposed to go on his first vacation while with the company. Gave him a severance letter and everything... that they wouldn't honor. Why? Because he didn't get it back to them by the running of the next payroll (while he was away). My buddy asked for an extension after receiving a nasty email from the company's counsel demanding the severance agreement by EOD the day payroll was supposed to run (on the day payroll was ran). The guy was fucking livid, asked for more time and was flat out denied despite having limited access to email and technology. He threatened to sue them because of the unreasonableness of the situation. They said to bring it. The day he got back, he got a lawyer and had the lawsuit filed two days later. Needless to say, the company coughed up a pretty penny over that severance agreement.