Work situation, I'm just shocked

[luvwinnie]

We have a very "loose" working environment I guess...only 14 people, no HR dept., etc. We DO have a set number of sick days and vac. days, of course. We can, however, borrow a couple days from the FOLLOWING year if necessary.
Well, a co-worker who is about 65 (she's been here about 25 yrs) had some health issues and was off for 3 weeks recently. Before that time, she had ALREADY used all her sick days. For some reason, she did NOT file for disability. So we're all thinking, "I guess she won't use any of her vacation time. It will go toward when she was sick." Nope, she is still taking the vac. days she had scheduled before she got sick!! She told another coworker she will just borrow from next year...huh? BORROWING ALL of 2007 in 2006? Our boss is TOTALLY oblvious (we know she not even spoken to him about it). It's fine if he wants to be generous or just ignore it, but then he better make sure if someone else has the same issue they get the same benefits. I'm just flabbergasted.
One co-worker who is known as the loudmouth here said she was considering discussing it with boss, not sure if she really will.
I would NEVER be out for that long and then just go on to take my vac. time like nothing happened, but maybe I"m the stupid one.

 

[Daxx]

I would NEVER be out for that long and then just go on to take my vac. time like nothing happened, but maybe I"m the stupid one.

Remember that people who are 65 think differently than younger people do. She prob. figures she won't last long at the job, anyway (retirement) and why not take advantage of what she can while she's there.

I'm not saying it's right .. just saying that it's a whole different mindset. I've seen some changes in my Dad (he's 66) and when I said something about it, he said that as you get older you get a more "F-it" attitude about things.

 

[Binkrin]

Is it wrong that at my job I already have the "F-it" attitude and I am only 27?

 

[ckay87]

I'm not saying it's right .. just saying that it's a whole different mindset. I've seen some changes in my Dad (he's 66) and when I said something about it, he said that as you get older you get a more "F-it" attitude about things.

I think that sums it up and frankly I look forward to that day!

I'd just remember this little episode and put it in my back pocket til one day when perhaps I'm in the same situation: "Well, *Alice* was allowed her vacation after all that sick time." Because talking to the boss about her now will accomplish what?

 

[robinb]

So what? Life isn't fair. You can only hope that when she finally retires the borrowed days will come out of her last paycheck.

Would you rather have an inflexible work environment and manager/owner with a stick up his you know what? Don't say anything! It will back fire on you and the next thing you know you will all be punching a timeclock to take a pee.

 

[Daxx]

Is it wrong that at my job I already have the "F-it" attitude and I am only 27?

It's ok w/me ... but is it ok w/your employer?!!?

 

[disykat]

Perhaps after 25 years of service the boss felt like she showed enough loyalty to be cut some slack? I know it must be frustrating, but unless you've been there 25 years and have the same thing happen to you and get your vacation denied - I don't think you can really complain.

 

[AuntieM03]

So what? Life isn't fair. You can only hope that when she finally retires the borrowed days will come out of her last paycheck.

Would you rather have an inflexible work environment and manager/owner with a stick up his you know what? Don't say anything! It will back fire on you and the next thing you know you will all be punching a timeclock to take a pee.

Exactly what I was thinking. My last job was very flexible until people started getting petty about what they felt others were getting. They tightened the screws and it made the work environment miserable.

 

[Chicago526]

Well, if the co-worker really DOES borrow the vacation time from 2007 and doesn't take vacation in 2007 at all, I guess it all works out in the end, it's her choice not to take time off next year. I wouldn't worry about it unless and until she tries to take time off next year.

 

[Miss Jasmine]

There is too much worrying about other coworkers in the workplace. Show up, do your job and go home at night.

 

[deelam]

I stayed out for 6 months after having my son and came back to 3 weeks vacation. I took what I had owed to me, but would never take anymore then what was owed or borrow from the next year after missing allot of time already. I believe your company has the right to deny vacation time if she has no days left. However, policies like no more borrowing may come of this.
I think your boss is just hoping she retires soon.

 

[luvwinnie]

So what? Life isn't fair. You can only hope that when she finally retires the borrowed days will come out of her last paycheck.

Would you rather have an inflexible work environment and manager/owner with a stick up his you know what? Don't say anything! It will back fire on you and the next thing you know you will all be punching a timeclock to take a pee.

Oh, no but we are worried he will "forget" this if/when someone else needs the same special treatment.

 

[amy4bruce]

If I were the boss, I'd like to think that I wouldn't care if the work were getting done. There's always the possibility that the work isn't getting done even if she's there, and the boss is just waiting for her to retire.

Of couse, I don't know the entire situation.

 

[luvwinnie]

SHould point out that boss retires in 16 mths so HE he has that attitude too!! lol

 

[SC Minnie]

To be honest you have no idea what arrangement this coworker made with the boss in advance.

If the 'loudmouth' does bring it up to the boss he cannot comment on it due to it being a personnel matter. Doing so would leave the company open for a lawsuit from employee that was out.

 

[Jenn]

I guess it would depend on why she was out sick.

For example, my FIL was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2003 and was ill for 8 months before he passed away. My MIL was frequently out of work - a couple days a week in the beginning, gradually increasing to her basically not being at work at all until he passed away. She had worked for the same company (a small community bank) for 27 years. She used all her vacation time, sick time, and personal time and when it ran out her employer kept paying her with no issues. They told her not to worry about her paycheck and go be with her husband and family during a difficult time. She greatly appreciated the company's generosity.

 

[luvwinnie]

To be honest you have no idea what arrangement this coworker made with the boss in advance.

If the 'loudmouth' does bring it up to the boss he cannot comment on it due to it being a personnel matter. Doing so would leave the company open for a lawsuit from employee that was out.

It IS possible, but she said nothing was discussed...that was just going to borrow the time of her own accord.

 

[Mister Incredible]

There is too much worrying about other coworkers in the workplace. Show up, do your job and go home at night.

AMEN!!!! This is not your problem to deal with. It's up to the boss, and he/she can do what ever they want.

I would think 25 years of service would grant her more rights than others. Can you go back the entire 25 years and see if she took all her vacation time? I would bet in that 25 years, she put in extra time.

25 years of dedication would get extra consideration from me. 3 weeks is nothing if you look at the big picture!

 

[luvwinnie]

I guess it would depend on why she was out sick.

For example, my FIL was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2003 and was ill for 8 months before he passed away. My MIL was frequently out of work - a couple days a week in the beginning, gradually increasing to her basically not being at work at all until he passed away. She had worked for the same company (a small community bank) for 27 years. She used all her vacation time, sick time, and personal time and when it ran out her employer's kept paying her with no issues. They told her not to worry about her paycheck and go be with her husband and family during a difficult time. She greatly appreciated the company's generosity.

That's wonderful. I think maybe I didn't come across as I wanted to...I think it's GREAT she was able to still get paid. I have health issues too and I"m ALL FOR companies being compassionate...it just has to be "even" within reason. Most of us have been here over 10 years.

Example of what our OLD boss did: Coworker needed knee surgery so they set her up to work at home and then HE DEDUCTED SICK DAYS FROM HER!! I would have quit.

 

[luvwinnie]

AMEN!!!! This is not your problem to deal with. It's up to the boss, and he/she can do what ever they want.

I would think 25 years of service would grant her more rights than others. Can you go back the entire 25 years and see if she took all her vacation time? I would bet in that 25 years, she put in extra time.

25 years of dedication would get extra consideration from me. 3 weeks is nothing if you look at the big picture!

She consistently borrows from the next year due to health problems. See my post above, I am not at all begrudging her the time, as long as if, God forbid, one of use needed it, we'd get the same. The problem here is the moodiness of certain powers that be.