re: 3 weeks vs 4 week vacation

I had the same situation a few years ago - the hiring Exec VP said there was nothing he could do about it. At my final interview the President walked in and asked how things were and if there was anything he could do . I mentioned the vacation discrepancy and he immediately said. We cannot change the policy but if you need an extra day off every now and then just let me know- it is not a problem- He basically gave me the extra 5 days vacation off the books.