15% of firms let workers buy, sell vacation time.(Employee Benefits)

More companies are opting to let their employees buy and sell unused vacation days.

Don Sanford, vice president of communications at W F Corroon, a St. Louis-based employee benefits consulting firm, said vacation-buying and -selling programs are appealing to workers who prefer additional benefits or cash to paid vacation days. Others find the program appealing in that a worker often cannot take his or her full vacation allotment and must forfeit unused vacation days.

"In the health-care industry, for instance, paid time off is a very important issue, especially since health-care workers have irregular schedules. Some have to work Sundays, weekday evenings, et …