zlacker

At least in software, my base salary is ~2/3 my comp right now (ignoring stock growth). If I could take say 50% base (so ~33% total) to quit working for 6 months - 1 year, you bet I'd take that deal. Put me on garden leave for as long as you want.

>>ndrisc+(OP)
How many people do you think are in a position to comfortably, even happily, take a 70% pay cut?

>>ghaff+57
In fields like software or quant finance, I imagine a lot? Investopedia says that 200 salary and 500+ total is "not uncommon" for a quant, and that even entry level is 120-150. At 120k, 1/3 pay puts you at the median personal income in the US, which I'd say is a pretty sweet deal. At 200, you're close to median household at 1/3.

People in this thread are saying you "only" get your base. If they really do get full base pay of 200k, that puts them in the 94th percentile to take a forced vacation.

>>ndrisc+ut
I don't really disagree in this specific case. Although there's also lifestyle creep--perhaps especially in the case of living in NYC.