Work Vacation issue. WWYD?

[xlxo]

Vacation pick priority is often the only perk the worker with seniority gets.

For us... seniority offers...

• first cubicle choice when the department moves
• parking.... love covered parking to avoid the summer sun and winter frost.
• first choice is lateral moves
• training opportunities
• last to be let go in redundant situations

It's tough when first joining an organization, but after a few years... you'll see the benefits. Sadly.... most people don't have the loyalty to stay with an organization like decades before. Oh well, I guess it makes it easier to for me to get to the top of the seniority list.

 

[tvguy]

For us... seniority offers...

• first cubicle choice when the department moves
• parking.... love covered parking to avoid the summer sun and winter frost.
• first choice is lateral moves
• training opportunities
• last to be let go in redundant situations

.

Sounds like a union shop.

LOL. We don't even have our own desks anymore, let alone a say in which one we use. Training is no a perk, it is punishment.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

The problem is in many industries, pay scales are nearly identical for newly hired workers and those who have been with the company for decades. It is in my industry. Vacation pick priority is often the only perk the worker with seniority gets.

But senior people are likely getting significantly more vacation time right? So that's a benefit offered to senior people.

A secondary issue I see is hiring. How do you hire young talent while simultaneously informing them that they will have last pick of vacation days? Perhaps in generations past when people traveled less, that would fly. But young people are traveling more than ever before. There are enough companies and jobs going around that a young person doesn't need to accept the seniority model.

 

[mummabear]

I agree where I work literally most people don't give a crap if u need off for a certain event even your kids wedding.
This woman has been here a year and in this year has manipulated many times to be off when she needed to.
She on more than one occasion has told people she would cover for them and then in the end it's oh yea I can't or I forgot.
One of our co workers needed to leave to go to her 3 year olds program at pre school, this woman 3 weeks before said she would cover then last minute tells her something came up.

Two weeks ago my daughter had a lacrosse tryout. One time one night thing. I was working late. My boss said try and find someone first.
Said person offered to stay if I needed her to.
The day ran late , I was stuck away from everyone else . But the place knew our group was still there.
When time was getting close that I needed to leave another co worker who is 6 months pregnant called and asked me if I needed her to stay.
I said where's so and so. She's like oh she went home she figured you'd be done.
Then she has the nerve to text me and ask if we were done. I said no
She replied oh I'm sorry I'm home I thought you'd be done.
Pregnant co worker stays for me. And I covered for her last time because it was her 3 year old that was in the program.

I could go on and on not just with myself and the other co worker but others too.
So good pick up that I certainly dont hold this person in high regard.

Then what are you worried about? Take the week that suits you.

 

[sam_gordon]

But just for yucks:
This academic year started 8-18-16, and end June 8, 2017 and the 2017-17 academic year will begin 8-17-16
Thanksgiving break 1 week
Christmas break 2 weeks
President's Day week 1 week
Easter break 1 week
June 3 weeks
July 4 weeks
August 2 weeks

We also go 180 days (actually 174). Academic year started 9/10/16, and will end 5/19/17.
Fall break: 2 days
Thanksgiving break: 3 days
Winter break: 2 weeks
Spring break: 1 week
June: 4 weeks
July 4 weeks
August 1 week

I just don't think it's surprising (depending on vacation limitations) for someone to not be able to get time off when their kids are off from school, especially in a large department.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I work on an academic schedule, so it's not an issue I deal with, but I thought of another question for those with more open scheduling:

If a senior person has five weeks, do they get to schedule their whole five weeks before the next person, or does it rotate through the list multiple times, scheduling everyone's first week (or two weeks) then again for people with a third, a forth, etc.?

That first method could definitely lock people out of weeks.

 

[Pacolovestacos]

I work on an academic schedule, so it's not an issue I deal with, but I thought of another question for those with more open scheduling:

If a senior person has five weeks, do they get to schedule their whole five weeks before the next person, or does it rotate through the list multiple times, scheduling everyone's first week (or two weeks) then again for people with a third, a forth, etc.?

That first method could definitely lock people out of weeks.

Good question and I was wondering the same thing.

 

[wvjules]

I know it's been decided already, however I would not want to be the *one* that took that week away from the co-worker. It's her daughter's wedding for goodness sakes!

I get 5 weeks PTO at my current company. There is no seniority when it comes to vacation time and it doesn't have to be scheduled a year in advance. If I want off a few days next month I just put it on the calendar and email my boss. Maybe my next project will be different? I would be miserable having to plan out the next year in advance. Luckily, I've never had a job where that is the way it is done.

 

[cluvsdisney]

I know it's been decided already, however I would not want to be the *one* that took that week away from the co-worker. It's her daughter's wedding for goodness sakes!

I get 5 weeks PTO at my current company. There is no seniority when it comes to vacation time and it doesn't have to be scheduled a year in advance. If I want off a few days next month I just put it on the calendar and email my boss. Maybe my next project will be different? I would be miserable having to plan out the next year in advance. Luckily, I've never had a job where that is the way it is done.

This is what I've been thinking as I read through this thread. I have to coordinate my time off with one person and we are both reasonably flexible. Just last week we both decided we wanted to take extra days around the holidays which worked out perfectly for both of us and then we submitted the days to our boss who never says no as long as one of us is here.

 

[RedAngie]

I work on an academic schedule, so it's not an issue I deal with, but I thought of another question for those with more open scheduling:

If a senior person has five weeks, do they get to schedule their whole five weeks before the next person, or does it rotate through the list multiple times, scheduling everyone's first week (or two weeks) then again for people with a third, a forth, etc.?

That first method could definitely lock people out of weeks.

My company uses a modified seniority system similar to the second option described above. The system attempts to schedule everybody for one "first choice" week, then Senior Person #1 gets to choose all their remaining weeks before it goes to Senior Person #2, etc. Those with lowest seniority often get stuck with January for their second week, where there is plenty of vacation time available. Everyone is guaranteed at least one week in either June, July, or August if they want one.

 

[sam_gordon]

Question for some of you...

Do you have to layout all your vacation time at the beginning of the year (that's what it sounds like for some of you)? While I might know a week (or two), the rest I end up taking "as needed" (and can be individual days).

 

[xlxo]

For myself... I reserve 1/3rd my vacation days and then let the junior staff insert their desires....

• days around long weekends are popular. As a courtesy.... try not to choose the day before and after the long weekend.
• summer plans (Disney Cruise?)
• special events
• black Friday
• Christmas

As mentioned.... after identifying half my top priority dates in November..... it's first call in February.

Reading what's been discussed.... we don't reserve entire weeks, we can reserve select days. Staff are permitted to take last minute 1/2 and quarter days that minimize impact to the organization. Good option for doctor appointments and eldercare. There's variation to different departments and operation needs for who's needed for the skeleton staff. In a world of cutbacks and not backfilling vacancies..... vacation planning is more critical.

With Telecommuting.... it's great that we can work from home when needed.... ie snowstorms and major traffic accidents.

Some friends work for a company that allows for "flex time" where you can start your day at 7am or 10am. Some like to start early or late for traffic congestion. Others like the option for family commitments (school drop off/pickup/daycare). With the early or late start time... it provides additional time in the day that does not impact your vacation.

Who likes overtime? If you are willing to work an additional 15 to 30 minutes a day... you can get to bank it up as additional vacation days for the year.... of course... these day must be selected AFTER people choose their vacation days.

I've seen some nasty things.... thankfully management have step in or allowed additional staff to be away.

• some staff take every Friday or every Wednesdays off for a majority of weeks to shorten their work week. While great for those with long 90 minute commutes. This makes it difficult for others to plan for week long vacations.
• staff who block off time.... then show up for work to extend their vacation time to additional times.
• staff who want time off when a major workload increases for a deadline

 

[RedAngie]

Question for some of you...

Do you have to layout all your vacation time at the beginning of the year (that's what it sounds like for some of you)? While I might know a week (or two), the rest I end up taking "as needed" (and can be individual days).

I have to submit requests for the following year by early November. Each month has a certain amount of vacation weeks allocated. It varies based on business needs. A form asks for specific week(s) within a month, but when the time comes, it's easy to change to another week within that particular month. Or we can take 5 separate days, or any combination.

But, yes, time within a specific month needs to be requested and approved. We're notified by late November of our vacation dates for the following year.

 

[xlxo]

Sounds like a union shop.

LOL. We don't even have our own desks anymore, let alone a say in which one we use. Training is no a perk, it is punishment.

We have union and non-union staff. Other than lateral moves and redundancies..... the other items mentioned are NOT part of the contract. It's like respecting your elders.... the person with the longest loyalty gets first dibs. Yah, I guess the junior staff will say "age before beauty". However after a few years.... I notice they are fighting for their seniority rights. Some departments will have higher turnovers than others.

Working in IT.... training is important if you don't want to be left behind or miss new work opportunities. What's changed in recent years is online training. I no longer need to travel great distances to learn. With online training, I can learn at the office during quiet periods or at home. When my manager asked me if I wanted training, I negotiated with him.... for the cost of one class, I can get unlimited online training for the year with no travel expenses.

 

[tvguy]

We have union and non-union staff. Other than lateral moves and redundancies..... the other items mentioned are NOT part of the contract. It's like respecting your elders.... the person with the longest loyalty gets first dibs. Yah, I guess the junior staff will say "age before beauty". However after a few years.... I notice they are fighting for their seniority rights. Some departments will have higher turnovers than others.

Working in IT.... training is important if you don't want to be left behind or miss new work opportunities. What's changed in recent years is online training. I no longer need to travel great distances to learn. With online training, I can learn at the office during quiet periods or at home. When my manager asked me if I wanted training, I negotiated with him.... for the cost of one class, I can get unlimited online training for the year with no travel expenses.

Here is an example of why I have found training to be a waste of time. Corporate bought us some special equipment and sent out a couple of people who were experts with the equipment. 4 hour training. 2 hours seeing what this stuff could do, the last 2 hours showing us how to do it. At the half way point the experts discovered our crews did not have 2 pieces of equipment required to use it.....equipment that crews at all 40+ other locations have. And you have to have the latest version of the main software, which we do not. We have 2 versions behind. I honestly don't know why we don't have all this stuff.
And then there is our time sheet software, that training was easy. But the software doesn't work or isn't programmed with all the situations that come up.

My son works in IT, so I have heard a bit about that. Google is his friend. Not to keep up, but to learn how to deal with unsupported software. One client is still running Windows 98 SE. Their sales folks put together a nice presentation on why he needed to update to modern software, and he replied line by line showing why an upgrade wouldn't improve his work flow. He is on contract, and actually has the fewest service calls of all their clients, thus is one of their most profitable accounts, so they just service his printers and IF a software issue comes up, they Google it.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I can't understand why the lady did not negotitate this leave when she took the post. The wedding must have been planned then as she is quiet new. That is what we do here in the UK when starting a new job if there is already a vacation in the pipeline you tell them and usually this is fine as a one off year. Everbody undetstands.

 

[xlxo]

At the half way point the experts discovered our crews did not have 2 pieces of equipment required to use it.....

In IT, that's is very poor planning.... possible grounds for termination.

 

[sam_gordon]

I can't understand why the lady did not negotitate this leave when she took the post. The wedding must have been planned then as she is quiet new. That is what we do here in the UK when starting a new job if there is already a vacation in the pipeline you tell them and usually this is fine as a one off year. Everbody undetstands.

The lady started about a year ago and the wedding is planned for August 2017. I know people plan wedding's way out, but almost two years (even a year and a half) is stretching things IMO.

 

[StanH]

12 ppl. and only 1 person can be off at a time? If you don't mind me asking, what is the job? It just sounds so odd, that only 1 out of a dozen ppl. can be out on the same day/time. All places I've worked have been very different. Yes, it means extra work and covering for those that are gone, but I have to say, with 12 employees, and only 8 weeks of summer etc., it seems bizarre to me that an employer would attempt to only allow 1 of the 12 off at a time. I think you don't really have many other options other than to take that week, but I also think it's unreasonable for your employer to not be more understanding and I totally can see and feel ppl. would be justified for quitting place like this. I understand that currently it's not a huge issue for you, but if I were you, I would totally be looking for employment elsewhere, because at some point, it is going to be an issue for just about anyone. Completely ridiculous.

People do not only vacation in the summer. There are holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas, for 2 quick examples. 52 weeks per year/12 =4.33 weeks to choose from, if all other weeks are taken.

Businesses need to keep operating, even if it is "vacation season" in some people's minds. If you are servicing customers, making deliveries, etc., you need the bodies on site to provide your service. Again, just 1 example.

ETA - OP, do what is best for you. Glad it is working out.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

*Full disclosure here haven't read the responses other than the first page*

Personally, even with only have that few of other people to be concerned with, pick the date that works best for you. That may or may not be the same time the other worker needs it.

IMHO the co worker should have discussed their vacation issue only with their immediate supervisor...not guilt trip (because really that's what it is even if they are being nice about it or a pain about it) the other workers.