There is a place in the world for salaryman-level loyalty to one's company, but it sure isn't anywhere where they have a word for "at-will employment". For a typical American company, I do two weeks of work for you, you cut me a paycheck, and we are even. We have an ethical, professional relationship -- and if it is not mutually beneficial, a firm handshake and some polite chitchat about possibly doing business in the future and then I'm out the door.

Small companies that I do not own are companies. Does my status as a "small employee" (only one of me, and not externally funded!) entitle me to lifetime employment regardless of my productivity? No? Then I am not a salaryman and you should not expect me to act like one.

i strongly endorse employees exploiting their employers as much as employers exploit their employees.

Or, preferrably, work at companies who treat they employees like individuals :)

(on the basis that if they get all the good talent more companies will act like that)

Absolutely, but my point was if you have a relationship with your employer where you feel they are extorting you you should leave and find some place where they aren't.

The employer-side of that exploitation-maneuver would be your boss telling you: "We do not have anything for you to do the next 6 weeks, starting tomorrow. You will not be paid but if you want, you can come back later."

If that happens at your company, go ahead and take your leave. If it does not happen, you may be overplaying your exploitation a little.

This happened to me. I promptly informed them that they hadn't hired me as a contractor, hand't been paying me the rates I demand as a contractor, and bid them farewell.

Why not make it clear when you get hired that you will want 2-3 months vacations every few years?

Back when I was working full-time jobs, I'd tell them up front about the amount of travel I do (and usually they'd see my suntan and hear about whatever trip I just got back from), so they knew what to expect. I've even gone as far as to negotiate away my stock options in exchange for an extra couple weeks vacation each year.

(I wrote the article)

Unless you have an equity stake, like at a startup. Then you're probably just hurting yourself.

There are plenty of non-exploitative work places. At most places I've worked the organization genuinely cared for employees.

There is such a thing as being a dick to an organization that has treated you well.

I could not disagree more. Why should an employee not use every ounce of leverage he can muster to make his life better?

It's tough to find great people. If you're that good, you should be compensated richly - in money, freedom, or whatever else you can work out.

I think in practice, most companies organize themselves so as not to be beholden to one individual, thus preventing extreme cases of this sort of thing.

Agreed. Its a business arrangement. Money versus time. Nothing else is involved.

But I'm an independent contractor, so my point of view may be different.

Good point. Some people want money, some people want time and freedom (especially once their monetary needs are covered). There are other ways companies can compensate people beyond their salary.

I disagree. Once every few years sounds acceptable. Unannounced is unacceptable, but provided that you have your house in order and everyone knows what's going on beforehand, it just becomes a simple planning exercise for the manager. Mileage may vary depending on how responsible the employee is, and company size; team of 3... maybe not. team of 5,6,7+... probably doable.

It is neither extortion nor underhanded, nor dishonest if the employee openly and honestly negotiates it before leaving. Unless their contract explicitly has termination penalties if they quit to early (fairly rare in the software world), then they have every right to threaten to leave immediately if they are not given what they want, and this remains honest.

Now, you may have a point with it being disloyal, but what have you done to earn their loyalty? If you or the company has done something unusual to earn their loyalty, then you may have a valid point and reason to feel wrong. But paying them an honest wage for honest labor is not a way to earn any exceptional level of loyalty.

Not to mention, how many people are without jobs? Some people would be grateful to have a job, even with NO vacation.

At the risk of sounding somewhat cavalier, the overall unemployment rate has nothing to do with my situation or my relationship with my employer. The unemployment rate in my particular region for my particular industry matters somewhat, but if we are talking skilled software developers that is relatively low. Even then, the really relevant question is how easily can the company replace me, which includes my specific domain knowledge and my skill level. It sounds like the article was written by someone who could not be easily replaced for people who could not be easily replaced.

How does a request for 6 weeks vacation turn into underhanded, disloyal, and dishonest?

Some people would be grateful to have an icepick in their forehead to end their misery, but I'm not saying you should stab yourself.

>Some people would be grateful to have a job, even with NO vacation.

Are you saying/hinting you'd be willing to exploit people's situation if you were in the companies position?

How much notice would you give them if you had to fire them - you know, for business reasons? 3 months? Two weeks? None?

Underhanded, disloyal, dishonest…