Scared to pull the strings to get vacation booked

[khaoskat]

Somewhat new to the board, and this will be our first trip to Disney.

Hubby and I are fully on board with doing it (the money is coming from a combination of our yet to be received 2 years worth of tax returns -- don't get me started on why they have not been received and why it is 2 years and not just this years...just dealing with obstacles that have been thrown in our way -- and a settlement from an auto accident) and getting excited about going.

But, I am scared to pull the plug and plunge in so to speak. Why -- because of hubby's work. Yes, I am very thankful he is fully employed, but the company has some major issues that it needs to resolve...one being how to schedule people and either paying OT or allowing them the time off so they don't go over 40 hours a week).

Even though hubby has put in our dates (Sept. 2013 15-23 - taking an extra day off since they tend to schedule him to be on a client site at like 6 am the day he comes back from vacation,especially since right now the plan is to drive) to be off.

He was supposed to have all day Friday off, because he has had over 8 ours of comp time this period that he has not been able to take off for....and now even though they told him 2 days ago to take Friday off, early this afternoon they told him, he has to work it now, because they need him to go on a client site.

I am just scared that we will get this all paid for, and the Friday before we are supposed to leave (leaving after a karate comp on Saturday), they are going to tell him he has to work that week, because they need him on client sites - he is really the only tech in the company (have someone who is part time, but not certified/qualified) and the only tech who holds certifications and has the practical knowledge for the job. Then we will be about several thousand dollars, disappointed kids and of course a pissed of wife ready to commit harry carry ....

 

[kellymarch]

Refundable everything with trip cancellation insurance sounds in order. You‘ll pay a little more, but it seems like you may fare far worse without it. Good luck!...hopefully your husband‘s can work ahead & get ready for his unavailability!

 

[ironpig70]

Personally I would tell the boss no.

If the boss is willing to take your vacation once he is willing to do it everytime.

May not be the answer you are looking for but I have been in that spot before and it sounds like the company needs him.

 

[gillenkl]

Definately consider trip insurance.

 

[Marionnette]

Somewhat new to the board, and this will be our first trip to Disney.

Hubby and I are fully on board with doing it (the money is coming from a combination of our yet to be received 2 years worth of tax returns -- don't get me started on why they have not been received and why it is 2 years and not just this years...just dealing with obstacles that have been thrown in our way -- and a settlement from an auto accident) and getting excited about going.

But, I am scared to pull the plug and plunge in so to speak. Why -- because of hubby's work. Yes, I am very thankful he is fully employed, but the company has some major issues that it needs to resolve...one being how to schedule people and either paying OT or allowing them the time off so they don't go over 40 hours a week).

Even though hubby has put in our dates (Sept. 2013 15-23 - taking an extra day off since they tend to schedule him to be on a client site at like 6 am the day he comes back from vacation,especially since right now the plan is to drive) to be off.

He was supposed to have all day Friday off, because he has had over 8 ours of comp time this period that he has not been able to take off for....and now even though they told him 2 days ago to take Friday off, early this afternoon they told him, he has to work it now, because they need him to go on a client site.

I am just scared that we will get this all paid for, and the Friday before we are supposed to leave (leaving after a karate comp on Saturday), they are going to tell him he has to work that week, because they need him on client sites - he is really the only tech in the company (have someone who is part time, but not certified/qualified) and the only tech who holds certifications and has the practical knowledge for the job. Then we will be about several thousand dollars, disappointed kids and of course a pissed of wife ready to commit harry carry ....

Book a room-only reservation and you will only risk losing 1 night's deposit if you have to cancel at the last minute. This could be cheaper than buying trip insurance on a package.

Purchase Disney Gift Cards using a Target Red Card (credit or debit doesn't matter which). Get 5% off the face value of the gift cards. You will save $5 for every $100. Use the GCs to pay for your tickets when you arrive in Disney. The GCs never expire, so if you end up having to cancel the trip at the last minute, you will still have the GCs to apply toward a future trip.

I would never commit to the huge expense of a package if I had as many question marks and variables surrounding my trip as you have.

 

[olwyngdh]

My husband is military and the army can and does change their minds about leave on an unpredictable basis--I *always* get the trip insurance. So far, we have been lucky, although two years ago we were pretty sure we were going to have to cancel when all military leave was canceled due to govt games--thankfully, it was restored before our trip.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Wow - OP, your post wins the award for the most mixed metaphors ever on this board,

I agree, get trip insurance which will cover a trip cancellation due to work. Check out insuremytrip.com.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Personally I would tell the boss no.

If the boss is willing to take your vacation once he is willing to do it everytime.

May not be the answer you are looking for but I have been in that spot before and it sounds like the company needs him.

This is terrible, irresponsible advice. Everyone is replaceable. Putting your job in danger because of a canceled vacation is crazy.

 

[Crystal Brewer]

Only my story-We just had first trip planned and paid for arrival date 3-23 my hubby had work accident 2-28 I was nervous to lose $ yet waited until we returned to Dr on 3-4 before calling Disney hoping I wouldn't have to reschedule tho Yep life happened lol Hubby couldn't do it so when I called the rep explained I was ok 15-30 days out on rescheduling with fees I was open with new dates tho did get several together We kept exact options on MYW PP+ DDP and resort our new arrival is Aug 30 we will have $350 credit for spending cause rates were lower!! I understand your worry though maybe get the co. to give him clearance in writing? The point of telling my story is hoping you can see that yes it's in writing and some may have horror stories but I was very pleased with the effort Disney put in to save my vacation not making it a horror story-Good Luck ;-)

 

[Marionnette]

Wow - OP, your post wins the award for the most mixed metaphors ever on this board,

I agree, get trip insurance which will cover a trip cancellation due to work. Check out insuremytrip.com.

This is extremely important to note! Not all trip insurance is going to cover cancellation for work reasons. If you choose to book and get trip insurance to cover the possibility that your husband's employer will rescind his vacation time, make sure that it is covered under the policy you've chosen.

 

[gracie1]

Does the trip insurance cover airfare too?

 

[jperrot1]

Most definitely get trip insurance with work related trip cancellation included. And, why not get a room reservation also. Then, buy your tickets separately as they, or course, will be good forever. Whatever company your husband works for, they should be ashamed of themselves! They should have a policy that is easily understood by employees. Good luck.

 

[csharpwv]

Let's talk about the bare bones of the situation....

Your husband's company offers him benefits as part of his total compensation package.

One of those benefits just so happens to be paid annual leave.

They have approved his vacation.

He is entitled to take that vacation with prior approval.

Case is said, done, and over....

He has obtained the approval necessary to take advantage of part of his total compensation package, and so long as he has that in writing from his supervisor - there is NOTHING that his company can do to revoke this approval LEGALLY.

He is entitled to the approved vacation, every last minute of his earned time.

Yes, people are replaceable - BUT, your DH has every legal right to take advantage of this part of his benefits package - and the company has no legal standing to take action against him (termination etc).

Your DH needs to have a heart to heart with his employer about respect and work/life balance.

Your DH needs to recharge, refresh, and relax.

AND when you are on vacation, you need to take his phone so he doesn't work on vacation! HAHAHA

 

[khaoskat]

Most definitely get trip insurance with work related trip cancellation included. And, why not get a room reservation also. Then, buy your tickets separately as they, or course, will be good forever. Whatever company your husband works for, they should be ashamed of themselves! They should have a policy that is easily understood by employees. Good luck.

The policy is easy to understand...just he is really the only tech (the part time guy is more basic labor -- pulling wire; installing/mountain the hardware, but nothing with trouble shooting or installation)...

So, basically if he is gone, they don't really have anyone to do the work, so the guy who does the scheduling just does not really care if hubby gets his time off or not...just wants to get the work scheduled and completed....

 

[khaoskat]

AND when you are on vacation, you need to take his phone so he doesn't work on vacation! HAHAHA

We already have a plan for this --- purchasing a straight talk phone for the week that we are there; only giving the number to those who need to know it and leaving his cell phone in the room. Even though I am self employed, at least my customer's/client's understand if I don't answer immediately and my voice mail will say I am on vacation and will return their call when I have a few minutes of free time.

His cell phone will remain in room....all family/friends also have my number....

 

[bumbershoot]

I would never commit to the huge expense of a package if I had as many question marks and variables surrounding my trip as you have.

I agree.

It's hari kari!

Harakiri, actually. Or hara kiri if you wish to separate it.

This is extremely important to note! Not all trip insurance is going to cover cancellation for work reasons. If you choose to book and get trip insurance to cover the possibility that your husband's employer will rescind his vacation time, make sure that it is covered under the policy you've chosen.

Does the trip insurance cover airfare too?

It can. Get it from an non-disney source, that's for sure. And each time you add something to the trip (that is nonrefundable) call the insurance company and add it on.

Yes, people are replaceable - BUT, your DH has every legal right to take advantage of this part of his benefits package - and the company has no legal standing to take action against him (termination etc).

I agree with that, too.

the guy who does the scheduling just does not really care if hubby gets his time off or not...just wants to get the work scheduled and completed....

That guy definitely needs to be aware that he *cannot schedule anything* during that time, then. If he schedules someone during that time, HE should be getting in trouble.

 

[TJDisneymama]

This is terrible, irresponsible advice. Everyone is replaceable. Putting your job in danger because of a canceled vacation is crazy.

how is he "putting his job in danger" if he requested vacation and they approved it? I would never cancel my vacation because my employer suddenly decided they needed me to work!

 

[MomToOne]

He has obtained the approval necessary to take advantage of part of his total compensation package, and so long as he has that in writing from his supervisor - there is NOTHING that his company can do to revoke this approval LEGALLY.

Yes, people are replaceable - BUT, your DH has every legal right to take advantage of this part of his benefits package - and the company has no legal standing to take action against him (termination etc).

Wrong. Employers may dictate when a person takes their vacation time (if they are not in a union - if they are, then the union contract trumps all). They can cancel a previously approved vacation, and even call you back to work while you are already on vacation. They may fire you if you do not comply. This is true in all 50 states. You may be able to demand reimbursement for any lost funds and expenses, however.

California has some of the strictest rules in the nation re. vacation and how employers need to treat it. And even they allow this.

 

[Cynt]

Let's talk about the bare bones of the situation....

Your husband's company offers him benefits as part of his total compensation package......

Yep I agree w/ all of what csharpwv said. Get it in writing, include some verbage about the vacation is paid for and if you want me to cancel my vacation you will pay for my vacation in full.

Some employers just chap my hide thinking they can run a person's life. AARRGGHHH!! I understand things come up and you may need to work overtime, be called in on your day off, etc on occassion. However this sounds like a recurring situation and they don't care. This boils down to too cheap to hire more help and/or aren't working efficiently & effectively so work the heck out of the employees you have with no regard to work life balance. I bet the execs are taking their vacation.

 

[keri125]

how is he "putting his job in danger" if he requested vacation and they approved it? I would never cancel my vacation because my employer suddenly decided they needed me to work!

I agree that it would really stink to have your vacation rescinded but... my company does have a policy that states they can rescind a scheduled vacation at any time if needed, even those that are pre-approved. Also, I live in a right to work state, and my employer can fire me at any time and does NOT have to give any stated reason for doing so, so even if I was suspicious that they fired me for taking my vacation, I would have to have that reason in writing from my employer in order to prove that I was fired for that reason. Ironically, I work for a work search program and have heard many times from employers when inquiring about reasons for the firing, "Employee was not a good fit." That's all they have to say. Our community is very insulated and we have not seen the upswing in the economy yet - jobs (especially good paying jobs with benefit packages) are EXTREMELY rare here. Would I purchase trip insurance? You bet. Would I risk my job over a vacation? Nope.