My employer wants me to "flex" my vacation!

[turnlisa]

I am still fuming about this one. First, I am writing to vent. Second, since I may be asked to reschedule, I need a valid price since I would lose my discount. If anyone can help me with that I would appreciate it.

Here's the deal. A year ago I booked our stay (November 6th through November 13th Poly LVC) for my birthday and my DS's. When the 5 + 2 deal came out I saved a bunch of money. Today my employer asks if it is would be possible to "flex" my vacation in case of "client commitments". So because my employer can't manage his projects, I may have to disappoint my children and lose out on a bunch of money! NOT!

If this does come to pass (slim chance better to be prepared), I was hoping that someone could help me come up with a price that is logical for replacing this. I would expect the company to pick up the tab. This would be UPH for all of us (2 adults, 2 children), plus all the time I put in planning the thing. Any ideas? I have already put my foot down and said, "NO!" but want to be prepared. Anyone been put in this situation?

 

[kidzmom3]

When this happened to my DH he refused at first. It soon became clear that if he could not be flexible with this, his future with the company was very cloudy. We had to bite the bullet and reschedule. We did not get any compensation.

 

[turnlisa]

Well, I think I have a little pull. I have been with the company for 9 years and am the sole resource for a product line. If I threaten to walk, people listen! I feel so sorry for you and your DH. Did you end up losing a lot or was it early enough that it wasn't an issue?

 

[kidzmom3]

We were able to get a full refund, but we could not get the great price again, so in reality it did cost us more. However, he did avoid a lay off for 3 rounds, until it was only him and his direct supervisor left, then they were both gone too. Now the company is hiring again, with all new, lower paid people.

 

[safetymom]

I don't think you can charge for your time. Also if you value your future at that company you may want to change. Sometimes stuff happens but if keeping your job is important I would think about changing your vacation.

 

[turnlisa]

To be honest, I would be willing to walk out the door first. I have given up many an evening, a weekend and a holiday to work for that company. No appreciation is ever shown. Based on what I would lose and the disappointment that it would cause my kids, I would be more than willing to do that.

 

[Rapunsel]

As the wife of a husband who works too many hours, weekends and holidays, with no OT pay... I would do what my DH does. He goes in with the dates of his vacation, say's I'll check my messages daily and he walks out. His boss is good about that, becuase he values my DH as an employee, and has realized that if my DH needs time off he grants it. As there have been times when I have been left with a 6 week old baby in the middle of a huge snow storm and Dh is away for 3 weeks.

In fact he has a business trip planned for when our new addition will be a few days old.

SO if your employer respects you and you can compromise along the way maybe they will see that you need this time with your family.


Just my thoughts...

 

[mbb]

originally planned - vacation

Obviously, you know your situation better than I do...

I'd call WDW, find out rates for when you think you could reschedule to, add UPH for you and yours..don't forget any airline fees, if you're flying...

Subtract what you have already booked...the difference is what I'd submit to your employer....

...if you feel that this is a reasonable course of action for your employer, and your position with them

JMO!

 

[bigbabyblues]

This happened to my DH earlier this year. We were supposed to go to the beach for a week, and they asked him to cancel the day before we left. He'd seen it coming about 6 weeks before, and we were mentally prepared, at least a little bit.

He insisted on payment in full for everything we had paid, which was the house we had rented for the week. He had the receipts in his briefcase just in case this came up. He said if he had a check by the end of the day (Friday) he'd cancel, and if not, he wouldn't. He had the best they could give him at the end of the day, the paperwork they had done to get the check; the check itself had to come from the financial office in another state, and it arrived Monday morning.

They've hinted about him postponing our trip next week, and he told them they'd have to fire him first. He's not taking his cell phone or his laptop either, they can do without him for a week. It might sound harsh from me, but he works 58-60 hours a week, and this is OUR trip for OUR family; no one from work was invited.

Steph

 

[2Disneybuggs]

I hope you don't have to cancel your trip. If there was ever a schduling problem with DH's job he just showed them the reservations.

 

[turnlisa]

In my situation, you have to submit your request for vacation and get it approved at least 30 days in advance. I got mine approved six months ago. I am not willing to disappoint my DS who has been planning on spending his birthday at WDW. You can't reschedule birthdays!

I really appreciate all of the support that you all have given me. When I originally told the consultant I was working with that I refused to reschedule my vacation, my manager immediately called me saying that I "stated it wrong" and should be prepared for some fall-out. This consultant then came back to me and said that in his 12 years with the company he had never had to reschedule his vacation. He was sure that we could "work something out"! We'll see...I will keep you all posted and everyone keep your fingers crossed! Thanks again. DISers are the best!