I need help making a decision!!!!! PDQ!!!

[drag n' fly]

I planned to take ds6 to DL in October. I have booked that trip (on dvc points). Since then I have been offered and accepted a position I really wanted. The position starts August 27th. I really don't want to ask for time off during my first month of work.. Since I work for the school board, the next available time I would want to go would be March 25-April 1/2010 (Spring break/pre-easter week) OR anytime during July or August 2010. I really need help making this decision. Their are pros and cons to each and I don't know what to choose!!!

 

[ykmom]

Not having been there at either time I can't say anything about crowds - I imagine both would be very busy. I would go with March /April simply since it would be cooler and I can't imagine being there when it was hot and crowded! ( and March will come sooner!)

 

[Sherry E]

Well, common sense would probably dictate that you should skip the October trip and wait until next year. Some jobs are more lenient - you can say to some employers something like, "I have a pre-scheduled thing on X, Y and Z date and I can't get out of it. Will that be a problem if I am gone for those dates?" You wouldn't even have to say it was DLR you were planning for; you could just be vague and say this plan was made a long time ago and you are bound to it. But, the school board may work a little differently and not be lenient for things like that.

When I was laid off from my 14-year job back in 2007, I immediately went into a long-term temp position in August and I had a scheduled trip to DLR in late September, and I gave notice in enough time to let them know I would be out for 2 days to be at Disneyland and that the plan was already set well in advance. Just ONE DAY before my DLR trip, the guy who was technically the boss was asking me what amount of money they could pay me to come to work the next day and help with a big project they had. I said there was no way I could get out of it - which, by that time, was 100% true, as I had hotel reservations and I would be charged $$$ if I cancelled last minute, not to mention I had 3 other friends all involved in this plan. They TRIED to get me to come in to work but I couldn't. The plans were set and could not be changed last minute. But see, there I could get away with it more or less. If I were starting a brand new job somewhere where I knew they had a more rigid outlook on time off, I would be hesitant to mention needing days off right away, even if it was way in advance, and if I did mention it I would leave out the fact that DLR was involved! If I were you, I would kind of get a sense of the environment and decide if it seemed like you could get away with it and still be able to keep your job, and if not, then trust your instinct and cancel the DLR plan!

 

[drag n' fly]

Good advice from both of you thanks!!

 

[teatime]

Having a job is very important, especially today! Go to disneyland another time.

 

[splash5]

I think that I might bring up the pre-scheduled trip to your boss. Yes, it is awkward, but we do have lives and they don't always work themselves around the school year. In our school district, you just have to find a sub to work in your position and clear it with your immediate supervisor (in my case, the school Principal). I agree with a previous poster, don't tell them it is for Disneyland.

 

[Jazziered]

I am so torn too. They are draining ROA next year and I don't want to go with the river drained. BUT I don't know what they are going to close after that. Ugh, I am thinking of waiting until they fill ROA. It is just one of my favorite things at Disneyland. I could live w/o Indy or Haunted Masion over ROA..

 

[drag n' fly]

I think I will go pre-easter. That way I don't rock the boat and I still get to take ds6 to DL. Yes it will be crazy but good planning can always make the day go smoother!

 

[Eeee-va]

Congratulations, by the way!

I have been advised that it's best to bring those pre-scheduled trips up when you are offered a job. Obviously if they said it wouldn't fly you would reschedule, but if they're hiring you they are probably interested enough to at least consider the request, and then you are not technically bringing it up in your first month on the job (you officially warned them before you even started).

I think that's easier said than done, though--it takes a lot of guts to ask for time off before you're even hired, especially in this economy!

I think the job comes first, but I'm not sure that it would hurt to ask. You could phrase it positively, saying that you were wondering if this would be a convenient time for them to have you off, since you'll still be new/learning the ropes, or if they need you to reschedule for March. (I know at some places it's actually BEST to take time off soon after you started, because you'll be too busy once you've been fully trained!) I'm assuming you know the school schedule a bit, so if things will be less busy for whatever reason in October, mention that, but I would only bring up that information to let them know that you are considering their needs as well as your own--not to press the issue and make an argument.

In other words, you're saying: "I would like to take this time off, and I thought that it would be a good time for the company/school, because ______. But if it is not a good time for me to take off, then I would be happy to do this other option instead." That shows them that you are putting your job first and even considering their needs as you ask for the time off, though it does establish that you have a life.

But I agree that if they seem to be very strict about time off it might be best not to try. If they're at all flexible, though, I'd make a go of it but leave the final decision in their hands, provided you're not going to lose money by canceling. If you will be out some money, I would press a little harder and maybe not bring up that you COULD go another time if need be.

And whatever you do, do NOT ask for the time off and then if they say "no," call in sick during the days of your vacation. I've talked to bosses whose employees have done that, and it doesn't go over well.

(Sherry E, that is terrible! )