Taking a personal day question

[Teacher03]

Would you consider taking a personal day to help your daughter find a new apartment "recreational?"

My DD lives 7 hours away, just got a new job, and is looking for a new apartment. I want to take a Friday off and go to help her. However, I just started a new job two months ago, and our personal days cannot be used for rest or recreation. I didn't know that was a stipulation when I filled out the paper. (In my old job, we could take a personal day for whatever reason.) I haven't turned the request in yet, do not want to be dishonest, but my DD really needs her mom right now. I should also point out that a sub would not have to be hired, and I only work 4 1/2 hours a day. I also very seldom miss work, have only taken 2 personal days in the last six years and 2 sick days (although not sure my new principal knows that.)

I want to explain the situation to my principal and see what she says. I really want to go and am prepared to take a day with no pay if necessary (or obviously make other plans if necessary.) My friends think I am crazy and should just take the personal day without any explanation. What do you all think? Please no flaming, just honest opinions.

 

[Rora]

Honestly, I'd take the personal day without any explanation.

 

[Teacher03]

Honestly, I'd take the personal day without any explanation.

That's what everyone has told me! I guess I just worry too much...good old Catholic guilt!

 

[SandrA9810]

Well where is your daughter living now?? And can she get to work from where she is now??

I'd suggest talking to the principal as soon as possible, which gives you the best chance for getting a day off. If not, isn't there a 3 day weekend coming up for Columbus Day??

 

[Rora]

That's what everyone has told me! I guess I just worry too much...good old Catholic guilt!

I feel you (I grew up Catholic)! I'm a 3rd grade teacher so I know the situation you're in. But honestly, just take the personal day. Don't worry about it.

 

[M5ward]

Kind of detracts from the meaning of "personal day." I always thought that was a day off for personal reasons that don't require an explanation.

 

[dodukes]

I would just take it with no explanation either.

 

[dodukes]

Well where is your daughter living now?? And can she get to work from where she is now??

I'd suggest talking to the principal as soon as possible, which gives you the best chance for getting a day off. If not, isn't there a 3 day weekend coming up for Columbus Day??

That's this weekend lol

 

[Christine]

Hmmm....well, where I work if you are using your annual leave (not sick leave) you don't have to provide any sort of explanation for taking time off. My employer has no right to ask what I am using my personal time off for. Their job is to ensure that the job is still able to be get done while I'm off.

In your case, there is a stipulation that personal days cannot be used for rest or recreation. If that is the case, what *are* the terms of use for your personal days? It is against the rules where I work to use sick leave for anything other than illness, doctor's appointments, or caring for immediate family. Is this what your personal days are for?

Having said that, I am one to be honest about my leave. Even more so if I am a new employee. I would probably just ask for the day off and not say why I needed it. If they ask what the reasoning is, which apparently they have the right to do, then you can explain the situation and hope that they will work with you.

 

[NMAmy]

However, I just started a new job two months ago, and our personal days cannot be used for rest or recreation.

That's really bizarre. What the heck else would you use a personal day for? I guess you could use it to run errands but how would they know if you rested or recreated that day? It seems ridiculously hard to enforce such a policy.

I'd just take the day without explanation.

 

[SaraJayne]

Not everyone has a three day weekend for Columbus Day.

I'd take it without an explanation and not give it another thought.

 

[Teacher03]

That's really bizarre. What the heck else would you use a personal day for? I guess you could use it to run errands but how would they know if you rested or recreated that day? It seems ridiculously hard to enforce such a policy.

I'd just take the day without explanation.

I think it is bizarre! That's why I never thought about it when I made my plans. I just assumed that personal days can be used for anything personal.

 

[doxdogy]

Just request the day with no explanation. If they press you for one, just explain that you have some family business that needs your attention.

 

[My2Cinderellas]

Take it and don't feel guilty. Call it a mental health day. It may mean you can't be as chatty with your coworker's but I have a hard time with needing to explain "personal". There are lots of reasons to take a dayoff that I would not to explain. This isn't one of them but I wouldn't give a reason just on principle.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

That's really bizarre. What the heck else would you use a personal day for? I guess you could use it to run errands but how would they know if you rested or recreated that day? It seems ridiculously hard to enforce such a policy.

I'd just take the day without explanation.

In the school district where I work, personal days are supposed to be used for things like medical appointments, staying home with sick kids or other family members, etc. However, when you enter it into the automated absence reporting system, it just logs it as a personal day and you don't need to give an explanation. I use mine for chaperoning field trips for my kids or going out of town a day early for long weekends. I left two hours early yesterday so we could hit the road and I called it personal time.

OP, if they press you for an explanation, just say you had to attend to a situation with your daughter. That's vague enough, but truthful enough to quell the Catholic guilt!

 

[SandrA9810]

That's this weekend lol

Ohh.. LOL. That's what happens when I'm not in school. At least I had the right holiday.

I always thought personal days were allowed for whatever reason, but if you called sick and got sick pay, you better be sick to the point of not being able to work.

 

[Teacher03]

In the school district where I work, personal days are supposed to be used for things like medical appointments, staying home with sick kids or other family members, etc. However, when you enter it into the automated absence reporting system, it just logs it as a personal day and you don't need to give an explanation. I use mine for chaperoning field trips for my kids or going out of town a day early for long weekends. I left two hours early yesterday so we could hit the road and I called it personal time.

OP, if they press you for an explanation, just say you had to attend to a situation with your daughter. That's vague enough, but truthful enough to quell the Catholic guilt!

You've all convinced me! Thanks for understanding the Catholic guilt. The older I get the worse it gets....but if I think about it, it's probably a good thing I didn't have it so much when I was younger !

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

I sort of equate "recreation" with fun, and apartment hunting is, in my opinion, neither fun nor restful. In my opinion, it is a family business matter. Is this your DD's first apartment on her own?

 

[disykat]

I sort of equate "recreation" with fun, and apartment hunting is, in my opinion, neither fun nor restful. In my opinion, it is a family business matter. Is this your DD's first apartment on her own?

I agree.

I do have to add though, that if you end up deciding a personal day doesn't feel right - don't feel guilty about that either. People apartment hunt by themselves all the time, she'll be fine!

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd take it wothout explanation.
If they press, I'd say "My daughter needs my assistance with some important issues". That's the truth. Moving is important and your DD needs your assistance.