Sorry to disagree. But, with the employment situation the way it is out there, if my employer asked me to help this out like this, I would. Maybe you can arrange to take 2 less days of vacation instead of being paid for those 2 days and then you can take those days later.
You may think that your job security is there, but these days, I wouldn't be so sure. I just wouldn't want to rock the boat at work.
I put other. I would offer to work one of the days (probably Mon), but let them know you need the other (Tues) to pack and get ready to leave. That way you are being a team player but you are not allowing them to walk all over you. Besides as it should save you a vacation day, I would let them know that you expect them to allow you to take that vacation day later at a time convienent to you.
Well this is it for me as far as vacations go. Any time I have left will be paid out to me at the end of the year. Which means they will have actually paid me MORE than if they had let me use them up. I'm not a fan of taking a day here and there. I'm a very schedule oriented person, and messing with it really throws me off.
You know, I am getting quite sick and tired of employers using that "You're lucky to have a job in this economoy" crap. Frankly, I feel that my employer is also quite lucky to have me...a very good nurse with 26 years experience who has never called in sick unless she was truly sick, has always taken on extra projects, has always stayed late when necessary, has always supported the charitable foundation run by my hospital and all the numerous other really good things I have done for 26 years for the institution in addition to just going in and collecting my paycheck.
OP, you have offered a compromise, they want all or nothing. As a PP suggested, I would tell them that you planned your vacation a year in advance with an eye on minimizing its impact on your workplace and you have scheduled multiple appointments and activities for the 2 days off that they are requesting you work, so unfortunately you won't be able to help them. If they fire you for that, then perhaps it was time to go anyway. The next person they hire probably won't be so willing to stay late, work short and cover everyone else's vacations like you have.
I agree with this!! I am also sick of hear, "lucky to have a job".........it goes both ways, her employer is lucky to have such a dedicated worker, willing to stay late, do what needs to be done.
sheeesh, you haven't taken a vacation in 4 years, did I read that right?
you deserve your time off, you offered a compromise, they decline, so be it. enjoy your well deserved and earned vacation!!!!
the point is she planned so she would not have to work 8 days straight.
and honestly 8 days straight is exhausting in any profession let alone one where you are on your feet all day long!
Well said.
I worked there 2 years and 10 months before taking a vacation last September (it just couldn't be done in the months following Katrina - for anyone, not just me. And yes, they compensated us by paying out all the days earned at the end of the year if we wanted to do that instead of carrying them over).
I did take one sick day. And there was one time I had a bout with my sinuses (nothing contagious) that my boss was going to make me stay home the next day, but the co-worker who would have been there with me the next day called at the end of that first day saying her kid had fallen out of a window and she'd have to take off tomorrow to take him to the hospital.
So I didn't take my sick day.
Based on the fact that you said they are saying it's all or nothing, then I say nothing. You offered a compromise to their problem and they weren't willing to accept it. You arranged this a YEAR ago, it is their mistake and they'll need to work it out.
I'm sure you have plenty of things you will be doing on those days that there's no way you could be working.
This may be your first step away from being that self appointed doormat.
I don't know, at least when you're a doormat, you know where you stand.
I picked:
No. What!? Are they nuts? Blow them off and go have fun!
It really burns me up when employers do this kind of crap. In March I asked for ONE day off in the end of May (the day after Memorial Day), and my boss made me ask another coworker (who is known to "extend" her holiday weekends with a sick day) if she was planning on taking that day off, just in case. What is wrong with that picture??! I don't think I even need to say it!
I feel for you, and I hope you get your way. You are certainly entitled.
Ouch. That burns. I feel for you, too.
It sounds like it is not at all your fault or your obligation. But many many people are without jobs. Many people can not afford vacations. Many people are also working nonstop to try and make ends meet. Having to work eight days in a row, once year is not too bad.
Mikeeee
This vacation is only possible by means of a settlement check DBF received from his dad's death. He chose to share it with me by taking us to WDW. Otherwise I am trying to make ends meet (please don't tell me there are better ways to spend the money - BELIEVE me, I know - but try convincing DBF of that!).
Eight days in a row is not THAT horrible, I admit. But I've done 20 (yes, twenty!) days in a row post-Katrina, and it just plain sucks. Especially when you are talking on your feet for 10 - 12 hour days.
Refusal to work is a valid reason for termination. She may receive unemployment (which is up to the state) but unless there is some other reason OP is not mentioning, it is not illegal.
Refusal to give scheduled and authorized vacation time is illegal. Companies can not fire you because you won't come in and work on days you are NOT SCHEDULED. Yes, that is illegal.
It may or may not be unethical but it is not illegal.
I am a payroll and HR Mgr and have work sites in 7 states. If you know of any law which makes it illegal please point me to it so I can expand my knowledge and ensure my company is in full compliance.
I'm not sure about the legality, but I just want to clear up that this is definately a "Hey would you mind? Actually I kind of do" situation; not a "Do this or else! Or else what 'cause I'm not gonna!" situation.
Perhaps she should just quit.
Local laws apply. In many states, she can be fired for no reason at all. Also, if they change her schedule and give her notice (as they appear to have done), she is 'scheduled'.
Of course I'm not going to quit. I love my job and I have a great boss. We are just understaffed at the moment (all the more reason not to fire me, or anyone for that matter).
And just to clarify again: They didn't change my schedule and I said no way. They asked if I would be willing to change it, and I responded with, basically, only if there is no other way.
Let me chime in again, we all know the op is going to do what she feels is best for her, in her situation. Only she is aware of her job stability.
As a former practice owner of a vet clinic, I understand both sides of this issue. If she were my employee, yes, she would be able to get her vacation time off. No questions asked.
BUT, and there is always a but, I don't care about her wishes, employment history, etc. My bottom line is my business. It is how the clinic bills get paid, payroll met, salaries paid, taxes paid etc. In this economy, I would be cutting corners as much as possible to the extent it did not hurt the quallity of medicine we provided to our clients. Until the raise she is expecting is on her paycheck and taxes have been cut out of it, she does not have it. I don't care how many awards she has recieved, loved by the clients, she is still an employee of the practice. And great employees are let go all the time because there is always someone else in the background willing to work just as hard, just as long, for less money. I'm not saying she will be let go for not agreeing to work when asked, but it will leave an impression on the doctors and the staff.
I loved to reward my staff with raises, paid time off, free care for their pets, etc. I hated to hire new employees, it take so much time to train on the lab equipment, computers, etc. I always had to look at the cost of keeping an employee on vs. training a new one. That is part of doing business. In this economy, just because you are liked and can do your job well does not mean you have job security.
OP, have a great time in Disney.
A
Thanks for your perspective. Both of my parents each owned their own businesses when I was growing up, so I know the value of a good work ethic and how much hard work and dedication it takes as the business owner.
That said, my boss is compassionate, almost to a fault. Even poor workers are talked to, warned, counciled, and talked to again before she'll consider letting them go. I'd literally have to kill a patient due to blatant negligence or abuse to be dismissed so readily as some imagine.
I do appreciate all of your responses. Since you took the time to share your thoughts with me, it's only fair that I keep you updated. The person who interviewed on Tuesday worked again today and is now officially hired and on the schedule. She seems very competant and reliable. The position had been vacant since last winter, so this really helps fill in the gaps. I even asked if they would still need me on Mon and Tues since she is new, and was told they would be fine. She'll have two weeks to acclimate, and she still won't be working alone while I'm gone.
This is such a relief. This decision was really tearing me up. I just plain old didn't want to (laziness
), but I know how important it is to help the business. After all, I can't thrive if the business doesn't thrive, right?
Like I said, they won't be without anyone; they'll just be down by one person - which just leaves one person to do the job - but, again, I've OFTEN been the one doing the job alone. 
