Kind of worried my husband lost his job yesterday.

[BuckeyeBama]

let's do some reality statistics.

Long term unemployed are finding it ridiculously hard to find jobs.
Op, has said she is "worried". That in itself is enough.

Now she did not say what her husbands job is but the reality is with this sluggish economy and unemployment refusing to budge below 7.4%, I'm could probably safely bet that unless he's in a specific field like nursing. He is NOT going to get a job in a week.

Many states like mine (nj) the unemployment rate is over the national average.

The average length of time unemployed in the US is 40 weeks. that's 10 months.

If she cancels the Disney part and he does she can safely call back up and re book.

LOL nothing like burning up your emergency fund to go on a Disney vacation. yet you guys are the very same people who will call some one irresponsible because they haven't saved for retirement.

You are correct, I can only speak of my experience. Now I'm very lucky in that I'm in a career that is high paying so we tend to have 75 applicants for every entry level position. When my husband started his own energy company, they made it a point to offer very good wages in order to attraction quality applicants. Once again I had first hand knowledge of how they went about job searching. So the person would have to be exceptional for us to say "hey no problem, go on vacation next month".

My questions is simply if you want to go that bad, simple don't start looking for a job until after vacation. If like you said they can get one in a week why not simply wait?

I totally get eveything that you are saying. I simply trust that the OP knows her situation well enough to make this call. Your advice about the concerns of potential employers is valid and has to be taken into account. But I wouldn't just cancel the vacation until/unless it becomes the right thing to do. That time might be now, or it may never come. With some help from her friends and family, she should be able to make the right call.

 

[d1gitman]

only you can answer the financial aspect of this but if getting some or all of your trip money back doesn't change your financial outlook, then by all means you should be able to fully enjoy the trip...like another poster stated, sometimes the distraction is just what a person needs.

 

[eliza61]

I totally get eveything that you are saying. I simply trust that the OP knows her situation well enough to make this call. Your advice about the concerns of potential employers is valid and has to be taken into account. But I wouldn't just cancel the vacation until/unless it becomes the right thing to do. That time might be now, or it may never come. With some help from her friends and family, she should be able to make the right call.

Gotcha,

I've just moved into a position where I'm doing the hiring for some departments (I'm not the hr manager though) and let me tell you, you cannot believe some of the applicants that come in and the first thing out of their mouths is "Oh by the way, I'm going to be in Europe for a month"

My son is starting his plumbing apprenticeship. The union has told them flat out, 3 unexcused absences and you are out. period. Now his apprenticeship starts at $18 bucks an hour and each level he passes he gets a pay raise. anyone who has hired a plumber knows how well they get paid and best part, can't outsource that job. LOL. So guess what, he's not going to Disney or any vacation for the next year. period. non negotiable. He will survive.


I just can't understand it. Hiring and training cost time and money, why come in if you know you are not able to work. I work in the chemical industry so if a Chemist loses his technician for whatever reason, it slows down productivity. If he's on a project that has a deadline then a applicant comes in and then says he can't work (for whatever reason) we do look upon it disfavorably. we're not trying to be hard &^% or dictatorship and we do try to be flexible but as I said my job is to get the best fit for my company.

Ok, I've totally gone OT sorry.

 

[Delirium]

To the OP. First and foremost, sorry to hear about the bad news.

Secondly. You know your situation much better than anyone else that has posted in this thread. How any of these other posters think they know what's best for you is beyond me. Listen to both your head and your heart and do what's best for your family.

 

[DekrRini]

When I got my current job, I already had a trip to England planned and paid for. During my interview, I was upfront about the trip. I wanted them to know BEFORE they offered me the job. I felt that was more professional than springing it on them after I was hired. They allowed me the time off, but it was unpaid time off. The big difference was that I still had a job at the time and wasn't in danger of losing it so being upfront wasn't the danger it would be to the OP's husband.

I would definitely reaccess the situation at the 45 day mark. I don't know your financial situation, but I'd be hesitant to take an expensive vacation at that time. Even though it's now paid for, that money could come in handy if your husband doesn't find a job.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

Check with the job. Sorry but when i have an opening I need some one to come in and hit the job running. Bottom line rarely is a candidate so exceptional that we can't find another. So if you tell me you've got a vacation planned in a month, I'll thank you and tell you have a nice day. If someone wants to give up a good salary, pension, matching 401k and health benefits for a vacation, in this economy, have at it. Way too many people looking for good jobs for me tohold up my work.
I work for a big fortune 50 company

FWIW, it is standard operating procedure not to inform an employer about a pre-planned trip until after you've accepted the offer. It's not a big deal.

OP, have a great time.

 

[ArwenMarie]

Personally, I would cancel if I was still at the point of being able to get the money back. I would rather have the money back at my disposal, and I would want to focus on my husband's new potential job.

But everyone is different and knows their own situation, no one else can really say what another person should do.

 

[eliza61]

FWIW, it is standard operating procedure not to inform an employer about a pre-planned trip until after you've accepted the offer. It's not a big deal.

OP, have a great time.

true and it's also standard procedure to be able to NOT approve time off once you accept the offer.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

true and it's also standard procedure to be able to NOT approve time off once you accept the offer.

Sorry, but no, it's not. That does not happen regularly anywhere.

 

[WDW in Pearls]

Gotcha,

I've just moved into a position where I'm doing the hiring for some departments (I'm not the hr manager though) and let me tell you, you cannot believe some of the applicants that come in and the first thing out of their mouths is "Oh by the way, I'm going to be in Europe for a month"

My son is starting his plumbing apprenticeship. The union has told them flat out, 3 unexcused absences and you are out. period. Now his apprenticeship starts at $18 bucks an hour and each level he passes he gets a pay raise. anyone who has hired a plumber knows how well they get paid and best part, can't outsource that job. LOL. So guess what, he's not going to Disney or any vacation for the next year. period. non negotiable. He will survive.

I just can't understand it. Hiring and training cost time and money, why come in if you know you are not able to work. I work in the chemical industry so if a Chemist loses his technician for whatever reason, it slows down productivity. If he's on a project that has a deadline then a applicant comes in and then says he can't work (for whatever reason) we do look upon it disfavorably. we're not trying to be hard &^% or dictatorship and we do try to be flexible but as I said my job is to get the best fit for my company.

Ok, I've totally gone OT sorry.

I think you're missing the point. It has EVERYTHING to do with what her husband does for a living. If he's a plumber, sure. Many office jobs this would not be the case, though. My job is one that not many people meet the qualifications for, in my area at least, so since my spot was open for months they were willing to give me an extra week rather than spend another 6 months trying to find someone else.

 

[WDW in Pearls]

true and it's also standard procedure to be able to NOT approve time off once you accept the offer.

I suppose nothing could stop them, but as an HR professional, is that really how you want the public to view your company? I did an internship in HR/recruiting for a very large global company and this would have been a big no-no.

 

[henry72]

OP - sorry to hear about your husband's job. My DH lost his job in April of last year and we had a WDW trip planned for the end of May. Since DH decided to start his own business, we didn't cancel it. (The trip wasn't fully paid as it wasn't our 45 days yet though the airfare was nonrefundable.) As it got closer to the day to decide whether we went or not, DH decided he couldn't leave a business he just started. He had one client and couldn't justify being gone that long. My mom stepped in and went with the kids and I. All we lost was the airfare for DH. The kids and I had a wonderful time and DH got to concentrate on his business which after a year is still running strong. DH was sad he missed the trip so we are planning and saving for one next year.

You need to look at your own finances and your DH's future job prospects and decide if you could better use the money in your bank to help you survive the time until he is employed again or if you can comfortably go on vacation and not be worried that the money could be used elsewhere. Only you and your DH can answer that question.

 

[AliceIn]

Only on the disboards would people tell you to go anyway. Unless your job pays enough that you will be able to completely support your family by yourself, you need to cancel your trip and get your money back. You can always book another vacation when your husband finds another job.

I know it disappointing (I've been there) but you need to focus on necessities right now, and contrary to popular belief around here, a trip to WDW isn't one of them. Trust me, It's very possible that your husband's job search could take much longer than you think it will and you need to be prepared.

Yes - I agree. There is no way I'd risk using that money for a vacation when the thing to do right now is to take a hard look at budget and expenses and plan for the worst. I'd be looking at ways to trim back all unnecessary expenses like cable, cell plans, etc., and a vacation would be the first thing I'd cut. I'd probably a little while to see if I could find a job, but if I got to day 47 and I were not actually on the job, I'd cancel that trip without hesitation.

In 2001 my husband and I both lost our jobs (.com bubble and we're both in IT). We had just had a baby, and it took me 5 months to find a job, and my husband 8. We really needed every cent of our emergency fund to keep up with mortgage, health insurance, food, etc. That experience altered my view of what is necessary, and what is gravy. You can always vacation another time when things are better.

 

[distherapy]

I think you're missing the point. It has EVERYTHING to do with what her husband does for a living.

Agreed. In my first job, the start date was flexible. In my current job, I was replacing someone in a very specific role. She had a firm date when she was leaving (she was moving out of town) and I had to be there a full two weeks to learn from her. I had plans that I had to change. I had to scramble for childcare. I tried to push it, but was told very clearly, a lot of people had applied for the job. I was their first choice, but not their only choice. It wasn't meant rudely, just matter of fact. The training time was not negotiable.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

I had to cancel a vacation a few years ago when I was laid off, but yeah, it was because of the industry I was in, and also, I was able to interview a lot because of where we live. I just didn't have the time to get away suddenly. But if you do have the time, and you're not in dire straits, I don't see the issue with going.

 

[Aliceacc]

I can't begin to tell you how to manage your finances. In your position, I would cancel at the 45 day mark. The $5000 or $6000 we're spending on our next Disney trip would buy an awful lot of groceries.

Let's concentrate on another job. What sort of work does your husband do? What degree(s) does he have? What hobbies? What work experience?

Let's see if, between us all, we can get you to the point where the question of cancelling becomes moot.

 

[jazzyscoob]

DH lost his job in July last year and we had a WDW trip booked for the end of Aug. We had about two weeks before we were 45 days out and decided to not cancel right away. DH was so lucky to find another job within a week! The only downfall was he was unable to go on the trip. I ended up taking the kids with my mom.

I would wait until the 45 day mark and then see where you are at. Here's hoping everything works out.

 

[Srbright]

Sounds like you have maybe typically had salary-based office jobs. That's a world of difference from many other jobs in this economy. I don't know where this family falls on the job chain but for most of us, what you are saying is simply not an option, and we certainly would never get paid time off a month into our new jobs.

This is seriously one of those time where YMMV...

I wouldn't have given it a second thought. Of course they would let you take time off, why wouldn't they? But then reading these posts I see it isn't the same for everyone. I am a salaried employee and absolutely would be allowed to take it off, but I see why hourly people wouldn't be allowed to.

Stacy

 

[Planogirl]

Our workplace would not allow it, I can guarantee that. It's like pulling teeth for seasoned employees to get time off and they are even worse when it comes to new employees. The only point of this is that it all depends on the employer, the industry and truthfully how hard it is to find a job in your field. Companies will likely tend to be more flexible if they have trouble filling slots and also more forgiving if the work can wait.

OP, I'm sorry about the job loss. I wish you well.

 

[stargazertechie]

Check with the job. Sorry but when i have an opening I need some one to come in and hit the job running. Bottom line rarely is a candidate so exceptional that we can't find another. So if you tell me you've got a vacation planned in a month, I'll thank you and tell you have a nice day. If someone wants to give up a good salary, pension, matching 401k and health benefits for a vacation, in this economy, have at it. Way too many people looking for good jobs for me tohold up my work.
I work for a big fortune 50 company

And no offense, but if a company doesn't understand a pre-existing plan, they're not going to offer good work-life balance. I work to live, not live to work.