Vent/Cry re work and vacation . . . not really update p. 4, post 55

[tvguy]

It is the pits, but it's something that is the norm in the industry DW and I work in. It's even in my wife's Union contract. They can cancel vacation at the last minute, and reserve the right to call you back in the middle of vacation.

 

[Handbag Lady]

You know what? That is just wrong.

Other countries actually allow for their people to take vacations. You NEED downtime to re-group and to be a better employee.

I work in entertainment and I was asked if my extended weekend trip can be moved. No, sorry, it cannot.

 

[Buckalew11]

I think for now you shouldn't plan vacations so far in advance or unchangeable.

And I have to say this but I would have a lot more sympathy for you if you didn't have a ton of Disney vacations in your Signature. It doesn't look like you have missed taking a big vacation very often whether it was stressful or not to plan.

Many people are working without being able to get away right now and they haven't been away every year up till now. In fact my DH just told me he will be working all day Thanksgiving (prob 16 hrs so looks like late night pumpkin pie!)
and Christmas Eve and probs Christmas.

A yearly vacation is a ton?

My DH will be working Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve eve, Christmas Eve, Chrsitmas Day and the day after. As you say, we're lucky he has a job.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I'm sorry that your DH will be working on Thanksgiving . That being said for some of us (maybe you included) the only time we can spend with our spouses in while on vacation. My DH is usually gone on business trips Sunday night and returns Friday night. The only time we really have together is while on vacation. So ... while the number of trips may look like a lot, the number of hours & days actually spent with one's spouse over the year is not.

RadioFanatic: I hope things work out for you .

thank you RobinB, that is our situation too.

 

[RadioFanatic]

A yearly vacation is a ton?

My DH will be working Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve eve, Christmas Eve, Chrsitmas Day and the day after. As you say, we're lucky he has a job.

I'm sorry Buckalew!

 

[mhsjax]

A yearly vacation is a ton?

My DH will be working Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve eve, Christmas Eve, Chrsitmas Day and the day after. As you say, we're lucky he has a job.

I agree, and sorry to the op whose Dh will be working Thanksgiving, and Christmas and Christmas eve , my DH worked all of these and more for about 15 years. ALmost every holiday he worked. And yes I was very thankful he had a job, but at least the never got in the way of his vacation, once it was approved.

 

[Hannathy]

A yearly vacation is a ton?

She is complaining about canceling a cruise and a trip to Disney not just the loss of time together. If that was her only complaint I would understand but it isn't.

And yes I think and I do believe most working people would consider going to Disney every year as a ton of big vacations.

I don't care who agrees, to me is seems she is more annoyed at loosing the cruise than just the time. They could stay home and be together except for the one day so that isn't the problem.

 

[mhsjax]

She is complaining about canceling a cruise and a trip to Disney not just the loss of time together. If that was her only complaint I would understand but it isn't.

And yes I think and I do believe most working people would consider going to Disney every year as a ton of big vacations.

I don't care who agrees, to me is seems she is more annoyed at loosing the cruise than just the time. They could stay home and be together except for the one day so that isn't the problem.

Sure she is upset, she will be out the money, and along with being thankful for a job, I would be upset about loosing money as well. I don't know why you can't understand that. She also said at WORST it will be her and DS going WITHOUT him, doesn't sound like she is only upset about canceling the vacation, she is upset about not having him.

 

[mhsjax]

She is complaining about canceling a cruise and a trip to Disney not just the loss of time together. If that was her only complaint I would understand but it isn't.

And yes I think and I do believe most working people would consider going to Disney every year as a ton of big vacations.

I don't care who agrees, to me is seems she is more annoyed at loosing the cruise than just the time. They could stay home and be together except for the one day so that isn't the problem.

Would you want to lose the money you paid for a cruise and a trip to WDW? IOt is non refundable. If you don't care about that, then maybe your DH should just tell his job that nope he won't work the holidays. Money must not be a problem for you.

 

[okeydokey]

I remember how I looked forward to our cruise a few years back. I would have been so sad for my DH to have missed it. I really hope it works out for you.

 

[Amy&Dan]

I'm sorry that your DH will be working on Thanksgiving . That being said for some of us (maybe you included) the only time we can spend with our spouses in while on vacation. My DH is usually gone on business trips Sunday night and returns Friday night. The only time we really have together is while on vacation. So ... while the number of trips may look like a lot, the number of hours & days actually spent with one's spouse over the year is not.

RadioFanatic: I hope things work out for you .

Exactly. My husband doesn't travel anymore but he works long hours and even when he is home, he is generally working, upstairs with the door closed and he might as well be gone. Add to that two busy teenagers, school, "life" and everything else and the only time I ever breathe a sigh of happiness that we are all together is on vacation. That time is so special and it may happen more by someone else's viewpoint, but to me each one is just as important and anticpated as if I hadn't been on one in 20 years.

I don't limit my sympathy and understanding to people who travel or have any blessings in general on what I consider a worthy timeline. I get so tired on this board of people not being allowed to just get some sypmpathy or a shoulder to cry on without the worthy police reminding them how gosh darned lucky they are and why in the Sam Hill are they daring to complain.


OP: I hope it works out for you, you deserve this vacation. Frankly, I'd keep planning (maybe not a cruise because those are dicey to change) and just not tell your son. Book Southwest if you can so at least you have some flexibility. We have had our last two trips almost cancelled due to job woes or financial stress and it stinks plain and simple.

Hang in there and keep us posted.

 

[msmayor]

Would you want to lose the money you paid for a cruise and a trip to WDW? IOt is non refundable. If you don't care about that, then maybe your DH should just tell his job that nope he won't work the holidays. Money must not be a problem for you.

Very true...it IS non-refundable if you have to cancel close to the trip.

To the OP - my suggestion is for future vacations like this where non-refundable monies are involved, get yourself trip insurance that covers job conflicts.

My husband also has a job with strict deadlines and we must do our best to plan vacations around those deadlines. Its often not possible to know 12-18 months out if a vacation is going to happen yet the best prices on cruises are often found that early. Our solution? Investing in trip insurance that covers cancellation due to job requirements. Our policies have cost between $75-100 and are never refundable if we cancel ahead of time, but in my mind spending that money at time of deposit is peace of mind if four weeks out my DH says "I can't go".

It doesn't solve the 'togetherness' issue but it will solve the $$ issue.

 

[mhsjax]

Very true...it IS non-refundable if you have to cancel close to the trip.

To the OP - my suggestion is for future vacations like this where non-refundable monies are involved, get yourself trip insurance that covers job conflicts.

My husband also has a job with strict deadlines and we must do our best to plan vacations around those deadlines. Its often not possible to know 12-18 months out if a vacation is going to happen yet the best prices on cruises are often found that early. Our solution? Investing in trip insurance that covers cancellation due to job requirements. Our policies have cost between $75-100 and are never refundable if we cancel ahead of time, but in my mind spending that money at time of deposit is peace of mind if four weeks out my DH says "I can't go".

It doesn't solve the 'togetherness' issue but it will solve the $$ issue.

And these days, the $$ issue is extremely important. I also agree with the trip insurance for the future. I would hate to have to decide weather to lose the money or go on vacation without DH. And even still, they will still lose his portion if he doesn't get to go.

 

[Katy Belle]

Hugs to you! It is so frustrating! 7 years ago we were ready to leave the next morning for our first disney trip. DH called me at 2:30 in the afternoon and said we couldnt go, because of work. 16 hours before departure time i had to cancel everything it is crushing.
Hang in there!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Is it possible that when his schedule is better known that he fly and meet you had the first port available? That way the whole entire cruise isn't a bust.

I'm not up on trip insurance..I know it covers job loss, but would have covered something like this?

Hope it all works out. All the coulda shoulda wouldas won't change your current predicament.

I know he can't cancel...but do you have any portion refundable at this point?

 

[msmayor]

Is it possible that when his schedule is better known that he fly and meet you had the first port available? That way the whole entire cruise isn't a bust.

I'm not up on trip insurance..I know it covers job loss, but would have covered something like this?

Hope it all works out. All the coulda shoulda wouldas won't change your current predicament.

I know he can't cancel...but do you have any portion refundable at this point?

The right policy will indeed cover this. Generally, the employee must be employed continuously by the same company for at least 3 years to get coverage. Documentation would need to be provided, most likely in the form of a letter, that states the employee was not permitted to take the trip.

And I'd be quite frank with my boss in the planning stages by saying...

"I'm planning a vacation and need you to sign this letter for me please. It states that you will either reimburse me in full for non-refundable monies lost if you cancel my planned vacation or will provide me with a letter to my trip insurance company denying my vacation so that I may be made whole."

I don't think that's too much to ask.

 

[RadioFanatic]

Sure she is upset, she will be out the money, and along with being thankful for a job, I would be upset about loosing money as well. I don't know why you can't understand that. She also said at WORST it will be her and DS going WITHOUT him, doesn't sound like she is only upset about canceling the vacation, she is upset about not having him.

Thank you - it is about being with my dh - I want to be with him when I can, but especially on our anniversary trip. And why am I not allowed to be unhappy to be out of teh money too? We are not going to sacrifice his job for the trip, but I'm allowed to be sad, aren't I? And hugs to all other posters who have to sacrifice too.

 

[RadioFanatic]

To the OP - my suggestion is for future vacations like this where non-refundable monies are involved, get yourself trip insurance that covers job conflicts.

Good idea. I have definitely learned my lesson!

 

[lovetoscrap]

When I was looking for cruise insurance I am sure I saw some that were "Cancel for ANY reason". They were a lot more expensive but definitely much less than losing an entire vacation. That might be the best option for you in the future. I would think if it is cancel for any reason you wouldn't even have to provide any documentation?

Sorry to hear that your vacation is not going to happen how you planned. I would be very disappointed too.

 

[mhsjax]

Good idea. I have definitely learned my lesson!

I actually didn't know that you could get trip insurance that covered job issues. This is good to know.