Weird work request? Update: Problem Solved! Thanks for the help!

[jwhtewolfd]

I put this in my PTR, but wanted to run it by a larger audience.

I work as a tech at a vet hospital Wednesday through Saturday with two Sundays on, followed by two Sundays off. I'm always off Mon and Tues.

I will work my normal Wed 9/23 and leave for Disney early Thurs am. I return late Sat 10/3, and will be off Sun, Mon and Tues (planned this way to return with 3 days off to recover, instead of staying longer). This only adds up to 7 vacation days (I have more available).

Last week I got asked if I would work Mon and Tues before I left, so the regular Mon through Wed person could have off Mon and Tues to work in my place on Thurs and Fri (but not on Sat). Normally I'm a very dedicated worker, but this rubbed me the wrong way for several reasons:

- I work long hours (32 scheduled hours typically turns into 42 or more - so I frenquently have to stay very late) and don't complain, but they know I try to avoid messing with my scheduled days whenever possible. Plus I have seniority when it comes to scheduling.

- Adding in Mon and Tues would have me working eight straight days in a row before leaving on vacation. Not really a relaxing way to kick things off if you ask me. Not to mention how rotten it would be to start a Disney trip ALREADY worn out!

- Thurs and Fri are actually the EASIEST days to be shorthanded, as there is only one doctor, instead of two. Half as many appointments and patients as other days. Why the push for extra staff on lighter days??

- I would have to finish packing by the 15th for a trip that doesn't start til the 24th. I can't rely on packing the night before, b/c we've already covered how late I usually work.

- I realize they are trying to minimize being short-staffed while I'm gone, but I never get the same consideration when someone else goes off and I'M the one getting shorted. I'm expected to work alone and make it happen. Often. (This, in spite of my lobbying to hire another tech for months.)

- On principle, I don't think I should have to rearrange my schedule in order to take my vacation. Sure people get shuffled around when someone goes on vacation, but it's not usually the vacationer that gets the raw deal.

- I'm not in a profession where you can "work ahead." We run appointments and treat patients daily. It's not that I have to meet some deadline, or accomplish a certain amount before leaving, or that there won't be anyone there at all to do the job.

- If I trade the days, I can't get vacation pay for the Thurs and Fri, since those would count as my 2 days off for the week. If I got vacation pay, it would put me in overtime, which they won't schedule on purpose (even though it happens all the time, they won't put it on paper that way).

- I gave them an entire year's notice for these dates (technically a year and a week!). They had a whole year to work this out, hire extra people, adjust the schedule to not be so heavy, or whatever. But they waited until just now and are trying to take it out on me. It's not like this is some last minute, one week's notice deal (which other people pull quite frequently!).

So what do you guys think? Are you asked to work extra before you go? Or trade your "off days" before you leave? Is this normal? Am I justified in feeling that I shouldn't have to "pay penance" by being overworked and messing with my schedule just b/c I'm taking my (hard and rightfully earned) vacation time?

If it makes any difference, I've only taken one sick day and one other 4-day vacation in almost four years.

 

[JohnsPrincess]

I chose: No. I see their point, but you gave enough notice to have worked something else out before now.

As you said, you gave them OVER A YEAR's notice for this schedule. Period. If you had come up at the last min and asked for the whole thing and they came back with "well, we can give you these days, but can you work X ones?" that would be Totally different.

I would just tell them that you have already scheduled things to do on those days - whether it's around town (things you don't normally have time for) or whatever, though it's actually none of their business WHAT things - and that you are sorry, but you can't work those days. Seriously, they don't know what you have going on. And even if all you have planned is to do the laundry for your trip and pack (as an example) that's YOUR time - time that you asked for, again, Over a YEAR ago. You KEEP your time off - and you have fun!!!!

 

[Carly_Roach]

Their lack of planning does not constitute your emergency. You gave them over a year to find someone to work those two days. They muffed it. Not your problem.

 

[BelleWDW]

Nope-I wouldn't do ir either.

A year's notice is plenty time
Also_no way i could work a long day, the day before a trip.

 

[robinb]

I'm going to go against what the others have said. Even though they had plenty of time to plan something else they didn't and now they need to work out a plan to cover for your vacation. I would work the two extra days and take the overtime. You can use the extra days of vacation later. It will not go over well with your employer if you refuse. You may want to try to "split the difference" and agree to work on Monday but not Tuesday so you can have time to pack, or agree to work on Monday and Tuesday and get Wednesday off instead.

Good luck!

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

I'm going to go against what the others have said. Even though they had plenty of time to plan something else they didn't and now they need to work out a plan to cover for your vacation. I would work the two extra days and take the overtime. You can use the extra days of vacation later. It will not go over well with your employer if you refuse. You may want to try to "split the difference" and agree to work on Monday but not Tuesday so you can have time to pack, or agree to work on Monday and Tuesday and get Wednesday off instead.

Good luck!

ITA!!

 

[laurie31]

Could you compromise and just work the Monday? There is no way I could work the day before we leave on vacation. I would be too enhausted to do anything but sleep the first day there, especially coming off EIGHT days in a row. I wouldn't do it at all actually. It sounds like you have done more than your part.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I voted "other" - work one day as a favor to your co-worker (not to management) and take the other to pack

 

[EthansMom]

Personally, I would tell the employer that I had several things that needed to get done before I could leave on vacation and really couldn't come in for both days. But, if they ABSOLUTELY needed me, maybe I could come in on Monday. That way, you look like a team player but you don't get walked all over by your employer/fellow employees.

 

[AmyinKY]

How many employees are there at the practice? When we owned our practice, we had four employees. One full time receptionist, one part time recetpionist, one full time vet tech and one part time vet tech. I worked full time to cover the shifts that could not be covered by our employees. (My husband was/is a veteriniarian.) We were very busy, but managed to cover the shifts needed with me working. When an employee called in sick, it was hard to cover last second shift changes. Vacation was harder still, even though we knew it was coming.


I would offer to work one of the days they want you to. I would offer you a "free" paid vacation day on your next paycheck if you worked even though you requested the time off in advance. The doctors/managers/other techs would appreciate it and will give you an little bit of bargnaing power when your contract comes up.

Amy

 

[jwhtewolfd]

I chose: No. I see their point, but you gave enough notice to have worked something else out before now.

As you said, you gave them OVER A YEAR's notice for this schedule. Period. If you had come up at the last min and asked for the whole thing and they came back with "well, we can give you these days, but can you work X ones?" that would be Totally different.

I would just tell them that you have already scheduled things to do on those days - whether it's around town (things you don't normally have time for) or whatever, though it's actually none of their business WHAT things - and that you are sorry, but you can't work those days. Seriously, they don't know what you have going on. And even if all you have planned is to do the laundry for your trip and pack (as an example) that's YOUR time - time that you asked for, again, Over a YEAR ago. You KEEP your time off - and you have fun!!!!

This is closest to my train of thought.

Their lack of planning does not constitute your emergency.

The funny thing is that we use this exact saying about clients ALL the time. Of course in that case it's usually the pet that's suffered for the owner's mistake, so we end up seeing it anyway. Even if we are doubled book several times or it keeps us there until 9pm.

I'm going to go against what the others have said. Even though they had plenty of time to plan something else they didn't and now they need to work out a plan to cover for your vacation. I would work the two extra days and take the overtime. You can use the extra days of vacation later. It will not go over well with your employer if you refuse. You may want to try to "split the difference" and agree to work on Monday but not Tuesday so you can have time to pack, or agree to work on Monday and Tuesday and get Wednesday off instead.

Good luck!

I agree, and I can see their point. But if I work Mon and Tues, I will only get paid for Mon, Tues, Wed, and only have Sat count as vacation. So there will be no overtime. I offered to be "on call" (no pay for that unless you go in) on Tuesday in case it got crazy, but they want all or nothing.

Could you compromise and just work the Monday? There is no way I could work the day before we leave on vacation. I would be too enhausted to do anything but sleep the first day there, especially coming off EIGHT days in a row. I wouldn't do it at all actually. It sounds like you have done more than your part.

Last year I worked my full week's schedule before leaving at 3am on Sunday! I purposely planned it this way this year, thus my reluctance to compromise.

I voted "other" - work one day as a favor to your co-worker (not to management) and take the other to pack

Unfortunately, they are asking for all or nothing, though I'm not sure why. The co-worker in question is one who actually leaves us hanging several times a year (visits family in Canada on short notice). Naturally, my schedule gets messed with to fill in the holes. We get along great otherwise, but not really inclined to do favors in a vacation situation. I guess the fact that I don't WANT to is one reason why I feel like I should do it.

Personally, I would tell the employer that I had several things that needed to get done before I could leave on vacation and really couldn't come in for both days. But, if they ABSOLUTELY needed me, maybe I could come in on Monday. That way, you look like a team player but you don't get walked all over by your employer/fellow employees.

I'm not concerned about being "walked all over." I'm already the semi-self-appointed doormat. I'm always the one staying late with the last few appintments or finishing up treatments/cleaning. The only person with more seniority than me is part time and leaves early on her days, so I feel like it's part of my job to tie up all the loose ends. On slow days when we get offered for one person to go home if they want, I'm always the one that stays (I figure I already had to wake up early this morning, nothing can make amends for that!).

How many employees are there at the practice? When we owned our practice, we had four employees. One full time receptionist, one part time recetpionist, one full time vet tech and one part time vet tech. I worked full time to cover the shifts that could not be covered by our employees. (My husband was/is a veteriniarian.) We were very busy, but managed to cover the shifts needed with me working. When an employee called in sick, it was hard to cover last second shift changes. Vacation was harder still, even though we knew it was coming.


I would offer to work one of the days they want you to. I would offer you a "free" paid vacation day on your next paycheck if you worked even though you requested the time off in advance. The doctors/managers/other techs would appreciate it and will give you an little bit of bargnaing power when your contract comes up.

Amy

We have 1 FT and 2 PT receptionists, so the front is always covered. We have one 1 FT kennel, so that's always covered, and the techs don't have to scramble to do it. We have 1 PT and 2 FT techs. We have 2 docs Mon-Wed and Sat. Thurs and Fri are one doc days. One of our docs is rather new, so her schedule is still fairly light.

I know it probably sounds like I'm selfish and uncompromising, but I promise this is only time I've ever been difficult about scheduling. I've even worked both Thanksgiving and Christmas one year when the Christmas person quit after Thanksgiving. I always take one of those major holidays every year. I've worked Mardi Gras day for two years in a row (which anyone from New Orleans can tell you is a big sacrifice).

As for bargaining power - I'm getting a raise this month, and my boss frequently tells me what an asset I am, so I seriously doubt this one decision will hold any sway one way or the other. I am always the dedicated worker, which is why I'm feeling a little guilty wanting to turn them down. But at the same time I feel like I should be a little selfish for once. I planned it this way for a reason, and why should I always be the one compromising?

Thanks for the input; please keep it coming.

 

[WriteDisney]

I put this in my PTR, but wanted to run it by a larger audience.

I work as a tech at a vet hospital Wednesday through Saturday with two Sundays on, followed by two Sundays off. I'm always off Mon and Tues.

I will work my normal Wed 9/23 and leave for Disney early Thurs am. I return late Sat 10/3, and will be off Sun, Mon and Tues (planned this way to return with 3 days off to recover, instead of staying longer). This only adds up to 7 vacation days (I have more available).

Last week I got asked if I would work Mon and Tues before I left, so the regular Mon through Wed person could have off Mon and Tues to work in my place on Thurs and Fri (but not on Sat). Normally I'm a very dedicated worker, but this rubbed me the wrong way for several reasons:

- I work long hours (32 scheduled hours typically turns into 42 or more - so I frenquently have to stay very late) and don't complain, but they know I try to avoid messing with my scheduled days whenever possible. Plus I have seniority when it comes to scheduling.

- Adding in Mon and Tues would have me working eight straight days in a row before leaving on vacation. Not really a relaxing way to kick things off if you ask me. Not to mention how rotten it would be to start a Disney trip ALREADY worn out!

- Thurs and Fri are actually the EASIEST days to be shorthanded, as there is only one doctor, instead of two. Half as many appointments and patients as other days. Why the push for extra staff on lighter days??

- I would have to finish packing by the 15th for a trip that doesn't start til the 24th. I can't rely on packing the night before, b/c we've already covered how late I usually work.

- I realize they are trying to minimize being short-staffed while I'm gone, but I never get the same consideration when someone else goes off and I'M the one getting shorted. I'm expected to work alone and make it happen. Often. (This, in spite of my lobbying to hire another tech for months.)

- On principle, I don't think I should have to rearrange my schedule in order to take my vacation. Sure people get shuffled around when someone goes on vacation, but it's not usually the vacationer that gets the raw deal.

- I'm not in a profession where you can "work ahead." We run appointments and treat patients daily. It's not that I have to meet some deadline, or accomplish a certain amount before leaving, or that there won't be anyone there at all to do the job.

- If I trade the days, I can't get vacation pay for the Thurs and Fri, since those would count as my 2 days off for the week. If I got vacation pay, it would put me in overtime, which they won't schedule on purpose (even though it happens all the time, they won't put it on paper that way).

- I gave them an entire year's notice for these dates (technically a year and a week!). They had a whole year to work this out, hire extra people, adjust the schedule to not be so heavy, or whatever. But they waited until just now and are trying to take it out on me. It's not like this is some last minute, one week's notice deal (which other people pull quite frequently!).

So what do you guys think? Are you asked to work extra before you go? Or trade your "off days" before you leave? Is this normal? Am I justified in feeling that I shouldn't have to "pay penance" by being overworked and messing with my schedule just b/c I'm taking my (hard and rightfully earned) vacation time?

If it makes any difference, I've only taken one sick day and one other 4-day vacation in almost four years.

I don't know, its hard to say what I'd really do in that situation (I might cave and just go in). I'm not asked to work extra, but I do try to get as much done as I can before I go so that when the business is short staffed they have less to worry about.

We don't get sick days or personal days, just paid time off and its 15 days for me (plus we get 7 holidays a year.. like Memorial Day and Labor Day...).

I would probably do it. It's a bad economy, jobs are scarce and I feel lucky to have one (especially the one I have.. its secure and they give raises pretty much once a year with an occasional bonus). I would be pretty unhappy about it, but I want to look indispensible to the company and if that means working a bit extra before I go I'd do it. I wouldn't do this regularly through out the year, but if I was leaving for a vacation I might.

Especially this year. I don't know your job though, so it could be completely different. Its just what I would do.

 

[Arielle22]

OP, keep in mind that if you refuse to work what is requested you can legally be terminated.

Also the company could use your refusal to try and get unemployment denied.

 

[wdwfan16]

i'm going to go against what the others have said. Even though they had plenty of time to plan something else they didn't and now they need to work out a plan to cover for your vacation. I would work the two extra days and take the overtime. You can use the extra days of vacation later. It will not go over well with your employer if you refuse. You may want to try to "split the difference" and agree to work on monday but not tuesday so you can have time to pack, or agree to work on monday and tuesday and get wednesday off instead.

Good luck!

ita

 

[zipuzee]

I would politely say no and tell them that you scheduled your vacation to minimize problems. Especially if they don't want to compromise and let you work just one of the days.

OP, keep in mind that if you refuse to work what is requested you can legally be terminated.

Also the company could use your refusal to try and get unemployment denied.

Perhaps, but I think that's stretching it - and she could fight that and win, especially if they just recently gave her a raise. She scheduled the vacation well in advance, and unless they had a legitimate reason, say someone quit, or is out for medical reasons, they could put themselves in a bad place (legally)for letting her go.

 

[lisajl]

What is it about working at a veterinary office and not getting the time off?
I work for one, too, but they have known for 1 1/2 years that we will be leaving for WDW next month. They have changed our schedules a little and we will down by two people. I have NO idea who they will get to cover my shifts. You know what? I don't care either...I am leaving and will have a good time and not think about the clinic at all!!
I hope it works out for you!
Lisa

 

[TheBeadPirate]

I see both sides, but I'd try to say no- you've planned your schedule around the time you requested off taking into consideration your regular days off. If they push back on that I'd tell them I'd think about it (and then do it) if I could have Lundi Gras and Mardi Gras days off!




- Nothing wrong with planning ahead! (Although it doesn't seem to work out very well there)

 

[lori1043]

Jamie- i voted "other" only b/c maybe you could do 1 day before leaving, but I was torn b/t the "no" b/c you gave them AMPLE notice. I only say work that extra day if it gives you extra $$$, if not and you earned the day off, just tell them no.

I am PRN so extra days means more $$ for me. If I worked FT and it was PTO, I tell them 'I am sorry I cannot do it' and enjoy my trip. They may give you trouble for a few days when you are back, but all in all , you earned the days and you gave notice. the end. They'll get over it when you are backand working hard again.

 

[Minnie]

I voted other - With the poor economy I wouldn't want to give my employer any reason to consider letting me go

You might consider saying that you could work the 1st and not the 2nd as that is 7 days straight and you need time to get ready to leave.....

If this still is not acceptable then for the reason above I'd go ahead and work. But them I'm normally the one still there at night in my department so I'm probably not giving the answer you might want....

 

[Pumbaa_]

You planned this a year ago. You offered a compromise, and they are not interested. You did your best to be flexible.

If you work 8 days straight (and it seems no one in the office is concerned about that!) you will leave exhausted and scramble to pack and do all those last minute things that come up

Go and have an awesome vacation!