Help me craft an email asking for summers off

[tinkerbellworld]

I'm posting this under an anonymous user name, just in case. I had a part-time grant funded job last year that lost its funding. Just over a month ago, I received a call that they had funding back (through a new administrator) and that they would like me to return to work. I was told that I would have to work during the summer, even though I did not last year (I'm in the education field). The new administrator of the grant makes doing this job a pain-- they want me to drive in to their office downtown (we're talking a major metropolitan area) to drop off forms that could easily be emailed or mailed, pick up items, etc. Sometimes I feel like a UPS delivery person. There was one incident, where I was called out of doing my REAL job to retrieve a form from someone an hour away. I was going to see the person they needed the form from in two days. They said it didn't matter-- they needed the form NOW, and I needed to stop what I was doing (my actual job) and get the form. I am the only person who works part time, so it is harder for me to "jump" when they say so. I was initially willing to work the summer, since last year, I really enjoyed this job. However, this year it's a whole different ballgame, and I'm not really enjoying it. I do not HAVE to work. We use my money for extras. I've been very close to quitting, but I've decided that I can put up with their crazy demands during the school year, when it doesn't require me to be away from my children. During the summer is a different issue. There are people in other parts of the state who do my job and don't have to work during the summer. Like I said, I did this job last year and didn't have to work during the summer. The actual work we do can't really be done in the summer, so I'm a little confused why we work then at all. The only thing they can tell me about the summer is that we will be doing a lot of "planning". They can't seem to tell me what my hours will be (which causes a child care problem for me) or where I will be working (if it's at their offices downtown, I'm SO not ok with that). Anyhow, I've tried to call the main supervisor three times now. She does not answer her phone. I left her a message the first time I called (on Monday), and she hasn't gotten back to me. I'd rather discuss all of this over the phone with her, but it seems like that's not going to happen . How do I write a tactful email requesting the summer off (unpaid, of course)? If I can't get the summer off, I am seriously considering quitting. The atmosphere at their office is just depressing / I've never quit a job after just a few months before .

 

[Jeninindy]

Ok, I am confused.

Is this a 2nd job you are considering? You said something about your "real" job. Or are you changing jobs completely?

Sounds as if one of the jobs is or will make you miserable, so why even consider it...

 

[Smile&Nod]

if you are not that happy with the job and don't care if they say no which causes you to quit - and assuming you have school aged children how about:

I have been unable to make arrangements for safe and competent day care for my children once school is out. Therefore, i respectfully request approval to take Leave Without Pay from XXXX to XXXX. I can be available on an emergency basis during that period via telephone or email.

Short and sweet and to the point - if they say yes, great, if they say no, then you have your excuse for quitting (if that is what you want).

 

[si-am]

Or... try to find a new job and let this one hire someone who wants and needs to work summers with pay.

Sounds like you don't really like it there anyway, and you don't need the money, so why bother?

 

[Hannathy]

You don't like the job, you don't like where you probably will have to go to work, and you don't want to work when the job is.

Sounds to me that you don't want this job!!! Seems pretty simple If I can't work when the job is, and I don't like the job, and I don't like going where the job is, news flash -I wouldn't take the job.

They want someone over the summer, you don't want to work over the summer so this is not the job for you plain and simple.

 

[Princesca]

Yes - I agree with PPs. It sounds like you don't like this job... so if you CAN quit, I would. My guess is that, if it's grant funded, it probably doesn't pay that well, it sounds like there's not a very good work culture there, and life is really just too short to be miserable.

That's my motto of late.

 

[Zim]

Unless the people requesting work hours during the summer are hoping you back down so they can hire their high school / college aged child to replace you, you're probably in a decent bargaining position.

You don't really need the job, no one else in this position works summer hours, and it sounds like they want you back so they don't need to train someone new. If you really could take or leave the job, simply start the email with some positives about how you enjoy the position, or whatever it is you get out of it. But then state that you can only perform this position during the non-summer months and that if they need someone who can be available during the summer, then you can't perform the job requirements but thank them for their time and consideration.

Kill 'em with kindness, it's usually more effective. But you have to be willing to accept that they might have someone else in mind for the job or are willing to look elsewhere.

 

[tinkerbellworld]

Sorry about not getting back to update. Your responses as well as some prayer have led me to decide to quit the job. I was simply unhappy with the way it was structured this year. It came down to these three questions: Do you want to do the job? (no) Do you have to do the job? (no, thankfully DH's job provides for all our needs, and many of our wants) So, why are you doing the job?? I'm putting in my letter of resignation at our next meeting at the end of the month. I am going to volunteer to finish out May if they need me to, otherwise, my resignation will be my two weeks notice. I feel SO much better about the whole situation. AND to top it off, the day after DH and I talked about it, and I decided I was going to resign, DH got a large raise (equating to almost half of my salary). God is good . Even though we could have done OK with me not working at all on DH's previous salary, this gives us a nice cushion. Thanks again for helping me gain a little more clarity. It's back to being a SAHM for me . I can't wait for the summer with my kiddos!