Kind of worried my husband lost his job yesterday.

[Alesia]

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.

That may be true, but someone who is unemployed and has a family to support doesn't usually have the luxury of being picky. When you don't have a job at all, you take what you can get, at least until something better comes along.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

That may be true, but someone who is unemployed and has a family to support doesn't usually have the luxury of being picky. When you don't have a job at all, you take what you can get, at least until something better comes along.

It depends, but that's mostly not true. If you're receiving unemployment, it is usually preferable to hold out for a job that will fulfill all your needs than take a bad job and job-hop after a few months.

 

[stargazertechie]

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.

One of the jobs I got PTO was a salaried position. Another was actually an hourly retail management position. The two where I got uncompensated T.O. were both front end retail.

I understand that folks who work in a production based industry will have less flexibility, but for those of us who work in business/sales/professional offices, a lot of times they spend months interviewing (even with 400-500 applicants per position) and still don't find a perfect match, so it has been my experience that when they find the ideal candidate, things like existing vacations can be negotiated as easily as any other aspect of your compensation package. Don't leave any cards on the table, after all.

 

[nemajovc]

I'd make sure to have the least restrictive situation ( rebook as cheaply as possible with Disney if necessary) then I'd job hunt like crazy. If at 45 days the Disney $ means mortgage $ I'd cancel.
BUT I'd go otherwise -here's why: there are many desperate people looking for jobs now- they and family often need a break to be able to sit back and make good decisions. -

who looks better in hiring? Relaxed man or one who is exhausted looking for job( and in this economy more are giving up on looking)- I look at this similar to dating - before marriage I got more offers either when already dating (employed) or when happy with not having a relationship ( ie not desperate)

If hubby doesn't have job by then he'll come back refreshed and able to deal with job hunt. If he has job and can't cancel maybe he can go for part of trip.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[mom2rtk]

It depends, but that's mostly not true. If you're receiving unemployment, it is usually preferable to hold out for a job that will fulfill all your needs than take a bad job and job-hop after a few months.

And here I thought receiving unemployment meant you could not turn down work.

 

[roomthreeseventeen]

And here I thought receiving unemployment meant you could not turn down work.

Depends on the state.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

And here I thought receiving unemployment meant you could not turn down work.

It also requires you to be available for work and apply for jobs each week. Not sure how that can be done from a Disney vacation, but there ya go.

 

[darnheather]

No advice just hugs.

 

[bigbabyblues]

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

I think it depends on the line of work and the individual company. The hospital I worked for had a very strict policy; if you missed work for any reason without a written dr's excuse in the first 90 days, you were let go. I saw it happen in the department I worked in four times in the ten years I worked there. I think there was an exception for death in the immediate family, but not for vacations. If you didn't have PTO banked, you were not allowed to take time without pay.

To the OP, you know your finances and the rest of us do not. I know it would stink to cancel a vacation, and I would wait and see how things are going at the 45-day mark. Everything depends on the details: on if you have other sources of income or plenty if savings to carry your family until he finds another job. If you have no income and little or no savings, living paycheck to paycheck, then I would say you need the $ that Disney has in order to live.

Also, you willing to take the trip without him, if he gets another job and cannot have the time off? I would not be, and that has to be considered, too.

Whatever you decide, I hope he is able to find a new job soon!

 

[Luvchefmic]

It also requires you to be available for work and apply for jobs each week. Not sure how that can be done from a Disney vacation, but there ya go.

not necessarily a cousin in NY had same situation contacted unemployment since all checking in each week was on the computer and explained had a vacation coming up the answer was it was allowed she never missed an unemployment check and did the online checking in while she was away this is something OP DH will have to ask in their area



wow run on sentence..sorry

 

[Srbright]

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

Happens all the time in my industry; salaried professionals in automotive in the Detroit area. After the last few years most people aren't spending 20 years with a company any more and everyone knows it.

The company I work for, except for the plant hourly personnel (which it seems like a lot of people are referring to here) haven't been with the company 2 years. They were all recruited within the last 2 years to 18 months. They wouldn't bat an eye at a new hire saying they have vacation in 60 or 90 days.

Stacy

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I haven't read every post word for word, but a question for all the people who swear you can just take time off when you're in a new job, no big deal. Are you basing this on your experience in today's economy, today's job market, today's competition for jobs? Or are you basing this on what was done 5, 10, 20 years ago? It's a different job market out there today. People looking for work just are not in a position to call the shots anymore. If I had the choice between starting a new job or jeopardizing that job because of a vacation, you can guess what I'd choose!

And for the OP, I'm sorry, but the amount of money you're spending on a vacation could pay for a lot of groceries, rent/mortgage, utilities, car payments, insurance, etc., etc. You have no idea how long he may be out of work. I know it's hard and it's scary, but the cold facts are you may really need that money. Yes, you would enjoy the vacation, but life happens sometimes.

No matter what you may have saved up, several thousand more will certainly come in handy!

 

[anniemck]

I've never in my life had a job that would not allow me to take a pre-planned trip simply because it was close to my starting date

Actually, now that I think about it, I've had a pre-planned trip within the first month of each job I started, and none of them penalized me for having a life before working for their company. And two of them gave me the paid time off, and not just unpaid out of office days.

I have always informed a company I am applying with of a pre-planned trip, even if it is a year out, this way no issues later. I mention it in the interview when they ask if I have any questions. Never had a problem with it and the 3 times this has happened, I did get the job.

 

[larryz]

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 to hold up my work.
I work for a big fortune 50 company

Sigh... the heartbeat of America...

If you'll identify the company, I'll send some sympathy flowers to its employees.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

Another idea would be to stick with your 2014 trip and let the 2013 one go.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm really happy for those of you who work for companies that let you take off when you wish. I really am. That's just not reality for everyone and for every industry though.

I think that it's a bad idea to advise the OP with that mindset because none of us know if this will work for her DH. He might need to approach his job hunt a bit differently.

 

[stargazertechie]

I haven't read every post word for word, but a question for all the people who swear you can just take time off when you're in a new job, no big deal. Are you basing this on your experience in today's economy, today's job market, today's competition for jobs? Or are you basing this on what was done 5, 10, 20 years ago? It's a different job market out there today. People looking for work just are not in a position to call the shots anymore. If I had the choice between starting a new job or jeopardizing that job because of a vacation, you can guess what I'd choose!

All of mine were from 2004-2011, with the two paid times off in 09 and '11 respectively. So yes, I would consider that recent.

I also negotiated salary and benefits in this economy. The employees will always call the shots- it's called employee retention. In the professional office world, it costs roughly 1/2 of a departing employees salary to go through the hiring and training process to replace them. Businesses don't want to lose that money on top of the salary and benefits package offered. It's more cost effective for businesses in the long run to offer a higher salary, flexibility, more lucrative benefits, etc even if it means a higher up front cost when offering the job initially

 

[WDW in Pearls]

I haven't read every post word for word, but a question for all the people who swear you can just take time off when you're in a new job, no big deal. Are you basing this on your experience in today's economy, today's job market, today's competition for jobs? Or are you basing this on what was done 5, 10, 20 years ago? It's a different job market out there today. People looking for work just are not in a position to call the shots anymore. If I had the choice between starting a new job or jeopardizing that job because of a vacation, you can guess what I'd choose!

And for the OP, I'm sorry, but the amount of money you're spending on a vacation could pay for a lot of groceries, rent/mortgage, utilities, car payments, insurance, etc., etc. You have no idea how long he may be out of work. I know it's hard and it's scary, but the cold facts are you may really need that money. Yes, you would enjoy the vacation, but life happens sometimes.

No matter what you may have saved up, several thousand more will certainly come in handy!

I started my new job less than a year ago, so yes.

 

[drgnfly30]

Without more details is a tough call.

Presuming that any loss of nonrefundable airfare wouldn't negate the package refund, I personally would cancel.

Two years ago I wouldn't have said that but 22 months ago My husband lost his job and has only been able to find part time work since then. His Unemployment long since ran out. I never would have guessed he still couldn't find work in his profession for going on two years now but there you have it.

It's been tough and we are still recovering but I was lucky enough to recently get a 30% increase at work so that is helping us get back on track!

 

[Srbright]

I haven't read every post word for word, but a question for all the people who swear you can just take time off when you're in a new job, no big deal. Are you basing this on your experience in today's economy, today's job market, today's competition for jobs? Or are you basing this on what was done 5, 10, 20 years ago? It's a different job market out there today. People looking for work just are not in a position to call the shots anymore. If I had the choice between starting a new job or jeopardizing that job because of a vacation, you can guess what I'd choose!

Couple of things
1) Absolutely agree, if it comes down to starting a new job or taking a vacation, you take the job. But there is no harm in asking. If they say no, then cancel. That being said, I would wait until the 45 day mark to cancel. I started interviewing for the job I have on Jan 8th and started Feb 11 but that was with some pretty strong juice pushing my hire through. Normally it takes 6-12 weeks to get someone hired.

2) Mine are based on recent events. 2013, 2012 and 2011. I was an hourly contractor for HP and was allowed to take a week off (without pay of course) a month after I started. Hired in June of 2012 (different company) and took a week in September (paid) and then another Feb of this year knowing that I was going back in Sept. Granted this one is 7 months in so not a big deal.

But AGAIN Your mileage may vary WIDELY. The OP should look at her own situation, her husband's job and their job market and what they think is possible and that they have the funds to get through. Just because others have done it doesn't mean he is in a position to be able to do it as well.

Stacy