Work Problem, What Would You Do?

[JohnsPrincess]

I guess my question is... is your vacation for this year already "on the books" as it were?? Or is it just something that everyone "knows" and you haven't actually asked for the two weeks yet?

If you already have yours on the books - then I wouldn't cancel my trip for her. That may not be the most popular opinion, but that's what I would do. That's why I always try to plan my trips far ahead of time and ask my supervisor if it's okay before I plan anything.

However, if you haven't officially asked for the time off yet and just figured everyone knew...and she went ahead and asked for the time and was granted it first...well then yes, I'd cancel my trip and try to fit it in somewhere else.

Either way - I really hope you guys can work it out for the best for both of you!! I know when I planned my wedding it basically needed to be on a certain weekend so that most everybody could be there - before school started but after families got back from vacations...

 

[ChillyWilleys]

I actually had a job that denied my vacation time for my wedding. I reapplied, was denied again. I quit.

 

[tiggger1]

OP. I agree with you 100%. its her fault she didnt get approval first. It would have been different if she came up to you and said, " This is the only date, I can have my wedding, I hate to ask but could you move your vacation?" Then I would say wedding trumps vacation, expecially if you could have moved the vacation.

I agree with the other posts stating she probably made the plans thinking she would have gotten transferred and that she would get that date off. When the transfer didnt happen she decided to play the " I thought your vacation was in Sept and I already payed for the wedding" card and see what happened.

I dont see why she cant keep the date of her wedding ( its probably a sat right, do you work on weekend?) and move the honeymoon a week until you get back from vacation? the only issue is that she could quit right before and screw you over?

I also agree she will probably quit before then anyway, so i wouldnt move my vacation...

 

[fan_of_small_world]

I guess my question is... is your vacation for this year already "on the books" as it were?? Or is it just something that everyone "knows" and you haven't actually asked for the two weeks yet?

I asked the same question. The response I got was the following...

Her being able to take vacation is dependent upon whether or not I'll be in the office, which is why her supervisor came to me to ask if it was okay that she take vacation she was requesting. Indirectly, her vacation time needs to be cleared by me and ordinarily she asks me before clearing it with her supervisor, if that makes any sense.

It sounds like the OP's vacation was not officially "on the books," or the supervisor wouldn't have had to ask the OP (she would have already known that those dates were not OK). If the bride asked for those weeks when the OP hadn't put anything down yet, I think she should get them.

Of course, maybe there is no official vacation calendar, in which case, as an HR consultant, I would suggest that the company adopt a more formal method of scheduling employees' vacations.

 

[Aidensmom]

HELLO??????

Doesn't that fact that this is NOT her first wedding make a difference???

I'm just saying...

Did I miss where the OP said this was a second wedding? I looked back through and can't find it.

I know she said she had kids, but that doesn't neccessarily mean she has been married before.

I don't know that there is a cut and dried answer to this question. I've been in a similar situation, where there were 3 of us in a position, and at least one had to be here on a given day. We all wanted our kids spring break off - the other two had put it on our vacation calendar, and planned and made deposits on vacations, but had not gotten approved time off. I got the approved time off, then put it on the calendar. I just didn't have anyone to watch my child when he was out of school. Our supervisor noticed we all had vacations on the calendar, and that one would have to give it up. I ended up finding a camp to send my child to for the week that would work with my and my husband's work hours, and gave up my vacation time, though I actually was the only one approved. They owe me now, and I like being in that position.

 

[misskrystal]

Work trumps Wedding. Period.

ITA.

 

[maddhatir]

Well when you think about it, the wedding is only one day. And usually a Saturday (although perhaps this isn't a M-F job). The rest of the "wedding" is also just a vacation.

hmmmmm..... ...true.

 

[ChillyWilleys]

Work trumps Wedding. Period.

A responsible adult would check their work schedule and vacation time availability before making ANY type of firm plans. This is part of being an employee.

To assume that a co-worker should incur a financial penalty so that she can have the time off for her wedding is beyond selfish and immature. Wondering how long this marriage will last....

Thats a very responsible and mature view. I however follow the irresponsible life plan of work to live, not live to work. My family always comes first. They are the reason I go to work.

 

[Keggy]

I think that this employee is completely out of line. She knew what she was supossed to do and she didn't. I have someone who I need to coordinate vacations with and I check with her before I schedule any vacations. I would not make any plans to your vacation. She needs to make alternate plans or leave.

 

[Handbag Lady]

The OP stated that the bride-to-be was hired as her coverage person.

This pretty much says it all to me. She should have checked before setting her plans, no matter if the dates crossed with a standing vacation or not. It is just common work courtesy because covering is part of her job.

I was laid off just 8 months before my wedding. At job interviews, I clearly stated when the dates were so that it would be a known thing. Hire me or not was my mantra. Luckily, the one lady I ended up working for was also planning her wedding and we got on like a house on fire. You better believe I cleared the date with everyone at the new job, too, not just the boss-lady. I wouldn't have been able to change the date, but arrangements or my resignation would have been in order.

Plus with the additional info the OP has given us, I think it is downright nice of her to try and move her vacation.

 

[gradtchr]

After reading the OP I can't get this image out of my head

 

[momof2inPA]

If you have already put in for the vacation, I would tell her she's out of luck. If you haven't already logged it, it's your own fault, and the defense of "she should have know because I took it last year" doesn't hold water.

 

[maddhatir]

Thats a very responsible and mature view. I however follow the irresponsible life plan of work to live, not live to work. My family always comes first. They are the reason I go to work.

ITA! That is our plan too! It is just DH and I- we are too irresponsible for kids

OT but- I left a job b/c they used the word......"teamwork" and "team player" there was another "annoying" word they used, but right now it is slipping my mind! BUT ugh!

Sorry- I am here from 8 to 4 to get a paycheck- that is all, I am not part of any "team"

 

[The Mystery Machine]

After reading the OP I can't get this image out of my head

Yea well here is the image I have......

 

[tiggger1]

I asked the same question. The response I got was the following...



It sounds like the OP's vacation was not officially "on the books," or the supervisor wouldn't have had to ask the OP (she would have already known that those dates were not OK). If the bride asked for those weeks when the OP hadn't put anything down yet, I think she should get them.

Of course, maybe there is no official vacation calendar, in which case, as an HR consultant, I would suggest that the company adopt a more formal method of scheduling employees' vacations.

she said she went to her boss and was given the ok for her vacation before she made plans

 

[tiggger1]

I have it cleared by my supervisor, who is president of the division. We don't do it in writing, as we're a very small department in a very big company.

here you go

 

[ElizaB39]

How do you plan a wedding and not find out if the dates work all around? I wonder if she has picked this date but not booked everything yet.

If you have already put in for your vacation timem had it approved and booked the cottage, I would be very sympathetic to her plight, but I would not change my plans.

I have my vacations all planned for 2008. I plan things out. (I can also tell you my tentative vacation plans for 2009 too )

Vacation is so important. I don't blame you for wanting to go back at the same time to see the friends you have made.

Good luck,

I agree with this poster. While I sympathize with the co-worker guess what it means for the OP? Every year the co-worker will want the same time off because she will want to go on trips for her wedding anniversary!

I have no idea if anyone posted this view but I have to run out so I don't have time to read all the posts.

Good Luck!

 

[LindaG4458]

I think the other person is just covering her behind in case she happens to still be in this job when the wedding comes along. She totally expects (or at least hopes) to be elsewhere. She is very inconsiderate of anyone but herself. I would not change my vacation.

 

[tinabheart]

i would never think of scheduling someting like a wedding...without checking around the office to make sure it's not a bad time (someone going to be on vacation!) especially this far ahead of time.

 

[Minnie]

Thats a very responsible and mature view. I however follow the irresponsible life plan of work to live, not live to work. My family always comes first. They are the reason I go to work.

Don't see where I ever stated that family wasn't important. Not quite sure how you read that into what I wrote

Just because I choose to be a responsible adult doesn't mean I put my family after my job. That just doesn't make sense