Need to vent... My heart is breaking

[mouseketeer_mom]

So you can see by my ticker that we are supposed to leave in a week. Monday, DH's boss told everyone that there would be no more vacation this year and the week between Christmas and New Year that they typically have off will be spent working. My DH truly thought that once he explained about our longgggg anticipated trip that has been booked and paid for since February he would make an exception. That conversation didn't go well at all. So, there is little hope that this magical trip that we have been planning and surprised our kids with just two weeks ago, won't happen.

Vacations in general and Disney vacations in specific are more of a once every five year thing than an annual thing for our family. This was the kids BIG Christmas gift this year. We were so excited for Disney at Christmas.

I just waffle from being angry to crying...

DH works for a small company (less than 25 employees) so there is no employee handbook or written guidelines for vacation time. I feel like we have no recourse. It's so frustrating. My DH has had two sick days EVER. Not just this employment but EVER. He took only 4 days off last year total and the new "vacation" year started in October.

His boss simply said that the company had deadlines to meet and in this economy, if they didn't meet them, someone else would. End of conversation.

 

[lovethattink]

I'm so sorry. You are justified to be both angry and sad. Can you re-schedule the trip? Do you have trip insurance?

 

[Nayan]

That stinks, but employers know that there's a number of folks wanting work so they can play the 'we'll get one that will' game. I hope you have trip insurance and can reschedule for another time.

 

[mjkacmom]

DH works for a VERY large company, and the same thing happened last year. He took off the week before Christmas, but his department was told not only did they have to work, but everyone had to work overtime, as well, to hit their numbers. We didn't have a paid vacation scheduled, but he did lose about 7 vacation days that he never got to take, roll over, or be paid for.

Depending upon the industry, end of year vacations can be tricky.

 

[diamondpixienc]

That stinks, but employers know that there's a number of folks wanting work so they can play the 'we'll get one that will' game. I hope you have trip insurance and can reschedule for another time.

This is so sad but true However as this poster has said can you reschedule it? or maybe consider going alone with the kids and/or see if another adult can go with you? I truly hope you will be able to work something out. Take care ok.

 

[MommyBell08]

That just plain stinks. So sorry for you and your family. Let us know if you are able to reschedule.

 

[chcoley]

What a scrooge! I hope his boss sleeps well at night knowing what he's taking from your family.

 

[Spunky946]

I am so sorry. I hope it works out for you.

 

[mm1971]

I certainly don't blame you for being both angry and sad. I work for a small company as well and am responsible for Finance, operations and HR. While we do have times that we are strict about vacation time, I would never force someone to cancel a planned and paid for vacation(especially around Christmas). I know it is really hard to find a job right now and businesses know this. If I were your husband, I would start looking for a new job. I now this doesn't help, but I would have no loyalty left for the boss (which is me by the way) if my company were to pull something like that.

 

[mm1971]

DH works for a VERY large company, and the same thing happened last year. He took off the week before Christmas, but his department was told not only did they have to work, but everyone had to work overtime, as well, to hit their numbers. We didn't have a paid vacation scheduled, but he did lose about 7 vacation days that he never got to take, roll over, or be paid for.

Depending upon the industry, end of year vacations can be tricky.

Preventing an employee's use of earned vacation time and then having him lose his time is against the law. It is earned time and he has every right to use that time or be compensated if not allowed to. They should have either allowed him to take the time, carry it over or paid him for the days accrued that were lost. Sounds like hubby needs to be "sick" for a few days.

 

[Ashlander]

That is horrible of your husband's boss! I'm so sorry that happened - I hope it will all work out

 

[kamik86]

I can't imagine what I would do if my job pulled that. I guess we are lucky in our "Year end crunch time" where we really have to all hit our numbers and get things in before the fiscal year ends is over Sept 30th.

 

[4kids4karen]

That does sink for your family. It sounds like the small company is struggling in this economy. My friend's husband is going through the same thing. They keep doing rounds of layoffs. He had vacation approved for Thanksgiving and they were headed out-of-state to visit relatives but he had to lay off some of the folks in his shop which in turn cancelled people's vacation time so they had enough coverage. He is still happy he has a job as he was worried he may be one of the ones cut. He was asked to rate between two of his workers and rated them even although one is obviously better than the other, he didn't want to be the deciding factor. He was flat out told his name came up for cuts and they saved him so he needed to man up and rate the two ladies appropriately or it may be him next time. As I heard, one lady is a great performer but complains, the other doesn't complain but had low performance.

 

[Soben]

I'm sorry for you, I hope you're able to reschedule!

 

[katie111]

That totally stinks!! I know its not ideal but what about taking the kids on your own? I'm a SAHM and my husband is in sales. He gets lots of vacation time but never uses more than 7 days a year as he feels like if he's not selling he's not making money. Therefore, I often take the kids on vacation by myself. We had a trip planned for last week at Disney but a couple weeks before we went he found out he needed to go to a conference on the same dates. I know if he talked to his boss he could have gotten out of the conference but that's just not the way he works. So, the kids & I went by ourselves. And we had an AWESOME time. Sure we missed him but we LOVE Disney & went from morning till night. I have 3 kids as well (ages 5, 9, & 10) and it was such an easy trip with them. I would highly recommend it if your DH is okay with it. As an added bonus my kids think I'm awesome because all of my friends have said" I could never take my kids alone to Disney". I think its one of the easiest vacations to do alone with them. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[tiggger1]

I'm sorry but I would quit and go on my vacation. I could not work for a company that treated me that way. What does your husband do? It is something he could do somewhere else? Maybe somewhere that treats their employees better?

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

You guys are awesome... you have no idea what a little "Dis anonymous" support has done for me today. DH is gonna try one last time this evening but who knows.

I truly appreciate all the helpful suggestions as well. For our family, vacations like this need to be all of us together, so going without him isn't an option.

And, as much as we were looking forward to Disney at Christmas and traveling with my family, rescheduling is the only option. So, with that said, if Ol' Ebeneezer sticks to his guns this evening, we will be going the February the 25th through March 4th. It stinks though, I'm just too bummed right now to be excited about that...

 

[Ashlander]

Well I'm glad your backup plan for when to go to Disney is not too far off. However it is a huge disappointment when you only think you have 8 days to go! I'm hoping your husband gets good news tonight so you can all go and enjoy your vacation!

 

[mouseketeer_mom]

I'm sorry but I would quit and go on my vacation. I could not work for a company that treated me that way. What does your husband do? It is something he could do somewhere else? Maybe somewhere that treats their employees better?

Bless him! Those were his first words and if I had said yes, he might have actually done just that. Although this incident and a few others over the past few months have caused him to think about looking for a new job, reality is that with three kids and a mortgage... he has to already have a new job before he can quit.

 

[Happyjen27]

I admire your resilience!! Good for you for planning another trip in the face of this cancelled one. I really hope that his boss is able work something out with him, even if DH has to work weekends and overtime. Hopefully the 2 of them can come up with a way to get your vacation AND get the work done.

If all else fails, I guess the big box the kids open under the tree can be a countdown calendar to the trip in Feb.

This whole situation STINKS!!