Tuesday 30 November 2010

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Our firm allows us a fixed number of days off every year, but in recognition of the fact that “some individuals may like to be flexible with their holiday entitlement,” they also allow us to buy or sell holiday entitlements up to a limit. The price of a holiday is the same whether you are selling or buying, and it is a function of your salary.

Most people – that is, most normal people – would be satisfied to go along with this arrangement. But these are finance lawyers we are talking about. I know of people who buy holidays, and years later, when they have been promoted and have a higher salary, sell them off at a higher price.

In fact, since an employee’s future career progression is indeterminate, and since the salary even for a given level is revised every year, I think I see the possibility of a futures market in holidays. Hmm...

In related news, a Google search for <"life, liberty and the pursuit of" -happiness> produces some interesting results: Life, liberty and the pursuit of broadband; Life, liberty and the pursuit of nachos; Life, liberty and the pursuit of catgirls.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was thinking crane, poole & schmidt wud be an interesting law firm...

The Reluctant Rebel said...

That is just plain scary.

Priyanka said...

I agree, it's pretty messed up.

Life, liberty and the pursuit of fabulousness. Sounds like Barney Stinson.

Rara Avis said...

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Anisha Jayadevan said...

Now they'll have a day to commemorate the time when holidays weren't on the market.
And a martyr's day for everyone who fought for the holiday cause!