My company just implemented an “unlimited” vacation policy this year, which sounds great, but I’m not sure how much is too much to take. I don’t want it to appear as if I’m taking advantage, but some of my colleagues are planning to take off more time than they were allotted last year. Any advice?

Why don’t we put that “unlimited” policy to the test? Get on a boat and cruise around the world for the entire summer and see how that goes. The reality is that such policies are not as progressive and “employee-friendly” as they sound. Do you want the inside scoop?

One of the primary purposes of the new trend is to save the company money. How, you wonder? Most states require that employers pay employees for their earned unused vacation days when they leave the company. When you don’t have a specific number of days in your policy, then there are no days to pay out. Genius!

To be fair, vacation pay is a legitimate concern, because companies can shell out millions to people who are leaving and need to be paid for any vacation time they haven’t taken. Many employers feel they would put that money to better use — say, for current employees — and maybe even save a few jobs that might have been subject to a layoff. Employers also know that peer pressure and company culture will drive most people to take reasonable vacations — usually no more than they would have taken otherwise. So talk it over with your boss. Maybe that cruise will work out.

My employer has remained silent on the immigration policies affecting foreign workers such as myself. I expressed my views to the CEO and I was fired. Can I bring a lawsuit?

If you really were fired just for expressing your opinion, I’d seek some remedy, because that’s wrong. However, if you expressed your opinion in a rude, unprofessional manner or worse, while at work to your boss, the company would have a right to fire you — not for your opinion, but for your conduct.

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