Ernst & Young (E&Y), my husband's employer, never ceases to amaze me. He came home from work yesterday and told me he had received an email about vacation. Good news, I thought, they changed their minds... Okay, so not really. But some guy back in New Jersey who helps coordinate the international assignments emailed Andy back to tell him that he gets the Dutch minimum of 20 days vacation! Wahoo, right? Well, it's only 2 more days than what he would have in the U.S. Let me back track a little bit so you can maybe understand why I was so irritated about this whole situation. How far back do I have to go...
Well, let's start with orientation day in October in New Jersey. E&Y flew us out there to attend a pretty pathetic 2-hour meeting. In the meeting we were told lots of info about stuff like insurance, vacation, policies, etc.... We were told that Andy would get the traditional U.S. vacation, which is 18 days and then the Dutch holidays. Okay, no big deal. But we were also told that we could purchase additional vacation (just like everyone else back in the U.S. can). So, that would potentially help with days needed to travel around and for home leave.
Fast forward to December. We are having dinner with some friends here who are also on assignment with an accounting firm here (not E&Y). Anyhow, we find out that they get the 30 days that are given to the Dutch employees over here. So, we got shafted. No worries though, right? We can purchase additional vacation. We do have to look at the "whole package", as E&Y would say.
On to January, Andy emails somebody about purchasing additional vacation. They say you can't yet, probably in February. So, February rolls around and Andy doesn't hear anything from them, so he sends another email. And the response was pretty much, "Oops, the policy says you can't purchase additional vacation." So, let me get this straight. We get Dutch holidays (6 vs. 10 in the U.S.), but U.S. vacation time (18 vs. 30 for the Dutch). So, they shafted us both ways. It's not like we need the 4th of July off over here, but still it bugs me. And if he has the 18 days that everyone (at his level) back in the U.S. has, then why isn't he illegible to buy additional vacation like everyone back in the U.S. can? I don't get it!
And then it just bugs me that they make it sound like they're doing us a HUGE favor with sending us over. I don't think so.... I mean, he was asked to take this assignment. We didn't apply for an international assignment, which is usually what is done. Granted, the decision was ours, but he was still asked. Secondly, we've had to make a lot of sacrifices moving over here. We only have one car, we're trusting our home to renters, my family and friends are so far away, we're living in a home half the size of our home back in Texas, we don't have a lot of the comforts and conveniences that we had back in the U.S., everything is more expensive, etc., etc., etc... I could go on and on and on.... I don't want to sound miserable here, because I'm not. I'm just peeved about this whole vacation thing.
I do realize and understand that this is a neat opportunity. While we are over here we're going to be able to see parts of the world that I never would have seen otherwise. But it still bothers me that E&Y feels like they are doing us a HUGE favor. I wish they could say "thank you" or "we appreciate all you are sacrificing and what can we do to make it a bit easier?". Have they ever said that? No, not that I've heard.
Okay, that felt good to vent! :) I am grateful for the additional 2 days that Andy gets. Things will work out, they always do. And one day I'll look back at this and think, why was I so bugged? :)
Well, let's start with orientation day in October in New Jersey. E&Y flew us out there to attend a pretty pathetic 2-hour meeting. In the meeting we were told lots of info about stuff like insurance, vacation, policies, etc.... We were told that Andy would get the traditional U.S. vacation, which is 18 days and then the Dutch holidays. Okay, no big deal. But we were also told that we could purchase additional vacation (just like everyone else back in the U.S. can). So, that would potentially help with days needed to travel around and for home leave.
Fast forward to December. We are having dinner with some friends here who are also on assignment with an accounting firm here (not E&Y). Anyhow, we find out that they get the 30 days that are given to the Dutch employees over here. So, we got shafted. No worries though, right? We can purchase additional vacation. We do have to look at the "whole package", as E&Y would say.
On to January, Andy emails somebody about purchasing additional vacation. They say you can't yet, probably in February. So, February rolls around and Andy doesn't hear anything from them, so he sends another email. And the response was pretty much, "Oops, the policy says you can't purchase additional vacation." So, let me get this straight. We get Dutch holidays (6 vs. 10 in the U.S.), but U.S. vacation time (18 vs. 30 for the Dutch). So, they shafted us both ways. It's not like we need the 4th of July off over here, but still it bugs me. And if he has the 18 days that everyone (at his level) back in the U.S. has, then why isn't he illegible to buy additional vacation like everyone back in the U.S. can? I don't get it!
And then it just bugs me that they make it sound like they're doing us a HUGE favor with sending us over. I don't think so.... I mean, he was asked to take this assignment. We didn't apply for an international assignment, which is usually what is done. Granted, the decision was ours, but he was still asked. Secondly, we've had to make a lot of sacrifices moving over here. We only have one car, we're trusting our home to renters, my family and friends are so far away, we're living in a home half the size of our home back in Texas, we don't have a lot of the comforts and conveniences that we had back in the U.S., everything is more expensive, etc., etc., etc... I could go on and on and on.... I don't want to sound miserable here, because I'm not. I'm just peeved about this whole vacation thing.
I do realize and understand that this is a neat opportunity. While we are over here we're going to be able to see parts of the world that I never would have seen otherwise. But it still bothers me that E&Y feels like they are doing us a HUGE favor. I wish they could say "thank you" or "we appreciate all you are sacrificing and what can we do to make it a bit easier?". Have they ever said that? No, not that I've heard.
Okay, that felt good to vent! :) I am grateful for the additional 2 days that Andy gets. Things will work out, they always do. And one day I'll look back at this and think, why was I so bugged? :)
6 comments:
you have every right to feel bugged. when in rome, right?! i hope things straighten out.
I am sorry about the vacation days. I would be way bugged too. I hate it when people feel like they are being so generous and they are actually shafting you in every way.
That's frustrating...sounds like something my company would do as well! We hope you get enough vacation to come see us soon, or I guess Ken and I will have to start saving to see you!
That's so frustrating, especially since you were told one thing and then they turn around and tell you something different. Maybe we can hope that they go back on their second vacation decision and offer the original offer of buying vacation? Ugh! I get frustrated with Adam's vacation stuff too, working holidays and stuff. I guess I'd better get used to it though, it's the life we chose....
I would be so bugged too!! I hope things work out for you guys!!
Grrrr....that is so frustrating. I am sorry they weren't so honest with you. That is rough and I would want to vent too!! And I still think you should get the fourth of July off!! :) Just cuz your American! And proud of it!!
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