Sherri Carpineto, a seasoned professional, recently turned down a vice-president role despite the career advancement it promised due to its restrictive time-off policy. The offer included only 10 days of paid leave, encompassing both vacation and sick time, which did not meet her need for flexibility as a working mother.
Several years ago, Sherri Carpineto was approached unexpectedly by a recruiter with a promising opportunity. Although she wasn’t actively seeking a job change, the role of vice-president of operations for a publicly traded company caught her attention, offering significant career growth and a notable salary increase. The position involved working with older individuals, presenting a chance for substantial real-world impact.
Upon further discussion with the company’s CEO, Carpineto learned that the role would allow just 10 days of paid time off, including both sick and vacation time. This limitation on work-life balance was acknowledged by the CEO, who expressed regret over the lack of better policies. For Carpineto, who highly values flexibility, particularly as a mother of two, this was a deal-breaker.
Carpineto’s career choices have been strongly influenced by her responsibilities as a parent. Working remotely long before it became widespread, she appreciated the ability to attend to her family’s needs without sacrificing her professional role. Her work flexibility was crucial when managing her oldest son’s health conditions. His diagnoses of Celiac disease at age three and type 1 diabetes at six demanded her presence during school hours when necessary.
Spending 15 years at one company, Carpineto prioritized family needs over career advancement but found the trade-off rewarding due to the positive impact on her family’s well-being. Her sons, now aged 12 and 15, continue to benefit from her availability, as demonstrated during a recent teacher strike that extended their time at home.
When faced with the VP job offer, Carpineto stood firm in her refusal to accept the position without a more substantial time-off arrangement, even though she doesn’t typically utilize all her available leave. She values the assurance of having adequate leave, emphasizing its importance in maintaining a balance between professional duties and personal life.
Carpineto’s past experience includes being laid off during the pandemic despite her dedication and belief in making herself indispensable. This experience reshaped her approach to employment, highlighting time off and remote work as non-negotiable priorities in her job search. The importance of having leave—even if not fully used—remains a key factor in her career decisions.
As a manager, Carpineto advocates for her team to take time off to prevent burnout. She believes that productivity suffers when employees are overwhelmed. Her insistence on negotiating for at least four weeks of annual leave with potential employers underscores her commitment to maintaining a healthy work-life balance. The company’s refusal to negotiate on this point confirmed her decision to decline the offer, showing that family priorities and career fulfillment can coexist.
Sherri Carpineto’s decision to decline a lucrative vice-president role underscores the critical importance of work-life balance. Her stance reflects a broader trend where professionals seek employment terms that respect personal commitments and well-being, especially for those balancing demanding careers with family responsibilities. Carpineto’s experience serves as a reminder that while career advancements are essential, they should not come at the cost of personal priorities.
Source: Businessinsider
