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“My Boss Texted Me While I Was At My Mother’s Funeral”: 30 Of The Worst Times Shameless Bosses Refused Day-Off Requests
Paid time off, aka personal time off or PTO, is your right as an employee. Whether you spend your time off holidaying in Bermuda, doing charity work, watching endless reruns of Spongebob Squarepants, getting married, or eating all the ice cream you ever wanted is entirely up to you. However, some bosses and managers are so controlling, so dismissive of their own workers that they start to resemble Saturday morning cartoon villains. For them, PTO is more of a suggestion, not a right.
To show you just how toxic some workplaces can be, we’ve collected some of the most jaw-dropping Reddit stories about employees having their paid time off requests denied. Some even had to deal with scheduling issues when it came to their weddings and honeymoons. It’s unfair. It’s infuriating. It’s something you Pandas might have had to deal with yourselves.
Scroll down to see just how bizarre some workplaces can be when it comes to dodging the terms employees signed up to. It’s the Twilight Zone of workplace culture, and we’re heading right in: keep on strolling, don’t be tempted by the coffee machine, and ignore all of the ‘RUN!’ signs plastered on the cubicle walls.
Bored Panda reached out to Anna and Sarah, the founders of the 'Work Wives' podcast about work-life balance for empowered women, for a chat about denied paid time off, as well as how to deal with difficult managers. Read on to check out what they told us!
A redditor shared how they were (almost) scheduled to work during her wedding, and others began sharing the times that their paid time off requests were denied
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I was fired for going to my wedding in 2010. I ended up in the hospital 3 weeks before. Had a positive stress test and they kept me 3 days. All was ok but work said because I missed those days I could only have my wedding day off. Not the week requested. We were traveling 900 miles to the destination and a few days for honeymoon. They sat me down and said I had to work. I told them straight up, I will NOT be here. They tried to get me to quit but I forced them to fire me. I took the unemployment for a year just to spite them. F**k them.
elmortero 3 years ago
See, that is why I like Belgian (and most other European) labor laws and employee protection. You cannot be fired for being ill or temporarily unable to work due to injury/illness (some exceptions do exist). And sick days are not the same as vacation days, so they cannot be used to cover for the other. Also: your wedding legally provides days off for the event.
Nitka Tsar 3 years ago
Plus: if you get sick during your vacation days and can prove it through a doctors note, you get those lost vacation days back because vacation is there to recuperate from work stress. You can't do that, when you are sick
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Disgruntled Pelican 3 years ago
When my new boss started, she informed me that I better put the PTO in that I wanted for my wedding (over 6 months away at that point) because she was going to be hiring new people from her old job and she couldn't guarantee that I would get the time off if they requested something at the same time. I had been there nearly 2 years and was a supervisor...
Mary August 3 years ago
Does the former employer pay the unemployment benefits in US? Why would OP take it "just to spite them"? Here goverment pays the benefits, so taking them makes no difference to the former employer.
SpookyPanda 3 years ago
In the US, unemployment is financed by state and federal taxes paid by employers. But I don't know if getting extended unemployment means the employer pays more.
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According to Anna and Sarah, the brilliant masterminds behind the 'Work Wives' podcast, the very first step to dealing with denied leave is to take a step back and look at the overall picture.
"We all want to look out for ourselves first, especially when we are seeking leave from work, but most reasonable companies won't deny leave unless there's a logical reason. Will you be leaving the workplace short-staffed? Do they need you specifically around that time? You need to consider how important your leave is and whether you'd really be putting your team in a difficult position for a trip to Cancun," they explained to Bored Panda that there's usually more context that needs to be considered.
They said that employees should think about whether they can negotiate regarding paid time off during the specific time period that they want. It's all about quid-pro-quo... as long as your workplace is being reasonable on their end.
RELATED:
#2
My old boss tried to deny leave because I had used a lot of my leave the previous year. I lost both parents and had to deal with the estate and selling the house etc. I apologized to them that my folks had died, and promised that it would never happen again.
LuckyL 3 years ago
"I had used a lot of my leave the previous year" - what??? isn't that what it's for. Being used?
MiriPanda 3 years ago
In normal countries, yes. I suspect this to be in the US...
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Gregory Mead 3 years ago
"I apologized to them that my folks had died, and promised that it would never happen again." Best comment ever. And, my condolences.
clairelise@pacific.net 3 years ago
My ex-MIL was working at Safeway when her mother passed. She had to request to leave work early that day, and then her supervisor said "ok, see you tomorrow." She's always been really a sucky person, but I mean, everyone deserves time off to grieve their own MOTHER. Come ON, people.
#3
I had this situation for my honeymoon. I told them I had plane tickets set and everything. They tried to tell me that I should only buy tickets after being granted that time. There were absolutely no reason for them to deny it besides having a low pool to pick from which isn’t my problem. I gave proper of time ahead and followed all the rules and then not being able to retain people is not my problem.
So it came down to that they can grant it or I won’t be returning after my honeymoon. So they granted it.
Cory Tollman 3 years ago
I was trying to explain this to my supervisor. If I put in for something a year in advance and right now I'm the only one asking for time off then. It should be approved and they can start working to make sure staffing isn't going to be an issue in a year. I realize they want to be flexible but if they can't guarantee one person being off in a year then that place has more problems than one person missing can fix.
"Could you offer to be available at certain times online? Think about how you can work with your employer to get the best outcome for you both. If the leave denial is completely unreasonable, you need to escalate it to senior management because there's obviously been a misunderstanding that needs to be addressed," they said.
According to Anna and Sarah, from 'Work Wives,' empathy is key when dealing with difficult managers. "Try to understand why they are managing the way that they are and consider what challenges they might be facing, either personally or professionally," they noted that managers are people, too. With their own struggles, dreams, and expectations.
#4
My boss texted me while I was at my mother's funeral to let me know they 'really can't give me any more time off for this'
Trisha Howson 3 years ago (edited)
That so bs they should make a law against that. It horrible a boss can do that s**t
Cactus McCoy 3 years ago
In most civilized country there ARE laws providing you PTO for this. With any sensible employer, you will not need these laws.
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Mad Dragon 3 years ago
I took a week off to be with my dad while we watched my mom die. During that time I received exactly one text from my boss, and that was to let me know they were paying me for the time because, “worrying about your paycheck is the last thing you should be doing right now.”
Kate Jones 3 years ago (edited)
So crazy. I had a similar situation. My brother died and I had to go in the morning of his funeral to do the truck for our store. I was a store manager of a gas station retail store and I literally couldn't get my district manager boss to come in to cover for me. He never answered his phone but expected me to answer mine at every pin drop. About 6 months later, I hadn't had a day off in over 4 months and I was working double shifts to cover call outs, and I ended up passing out and had to go to the hospital. I had to leave against medical advice because one of my employees said he couldn't stay 3 hours to cover the closer and he was just going to leave when he was off...leaving the door open and all... if I didn't get there on time. It was a horrible job that paid everyone very well but that was the last straw for me. I gave my notice that night in an email. These people who were making 45-48K to start were so entitled and ridiculous. I'd never dealt with anything like it.
SupernaturalPanda 3 years ago (edited)
Had something similar happen when my stepfather was severely injured in car accident and I went to hospital to help my mom who was not coping well...boss calls me as I’m in icu...asks me if I will be returning to work the next day as this was not considered a immediate family situation. Took everything I had not to cuss that b***h out over phone while standing next to my distraught mother. He died a few days later .
deanna woods 3 years ago
When my aunt passed away, my sister called our boss and asked him if I could leave. Without hesitation he let me leave and told me to take all the time I need.
Darla Taylor 3 years ago
Time to text that guy when his parents or anyone important to them dies
Blaze Fitzwater 3 years ago
No need because I'm going out on FMLA and then quitting after securing a NEW job! 🤬
Nitka Tsar 3 years ago
We actually get special vacation days and sometimes something like sick days for mental health for occasions like these...... this is nuts! Why do you let them treat you like that?
#5
I put my wedding PTO when I worked retail 6 months prior. I kept trying and trying to get confirmation but it was never officially approved. I’m gay and this was before the (now temporary, it seems) Supreme Court ruling, so my now husband and I had to fly to another state. A couple of weeks before our wedding, my time was denied; at this point everything had been paid for, flights had been booked, hotels and the like. My manager at the time basically was like “too bad you gotta work.” I had set up a meeting between my manager, our district manager and myself and just told them “listen, this is a retail job. I am leaving to get married. At this point, it’s not a matter of whether or not I’m going; it’s a matter of whether I will have a job when I get back. Figure it out.”
Your Neighborhood Alien 3 years ago
I'm glad you didn't let them get in your way and put them in their place! ✊
Wandaluzt 3 years ago
You're not talking to the person. They posted it on Reddit not here.
Load More Replies... #6
My job tried giving me s**t for going to my wife’s funeral…
Edit: Luckily it was resolved because I work for a major transportation industry job that constantly spouts in about its lgbt support and my relationship was queer and the funeral was during pride month. Basically tell me no and I’ll destroy your reputation via social media.
Jon Borrmann 3 years ago
Oh,, sorry for your loss, but playing the cancel culture is a shitty move..
LynzCatastrophe 3 years ago
It's not about cancel culture. It's one thing for a company to not support social rights like LGBT, even if they claim they do, that type of hypocrisy while not great, is just a business move on their part, putting up a couple rainbows and a commercial is just marketing. They do not deserve to have a good business if they are known for mistreating their employees. I wouldn't use a company that had unfair business practices or poor working conditions, I'd make it public to inspire change.
Load More Replies..."There are a lot of managers who don't have great leadership skills, but on that point, you don't have to be a manager to be a great leader in your workplace. You can lead the situation with a controlling boss by staying a step ahead and working to anticipate what concerns they might have, then you can come to them with the solutions already in hand," they said.
"Understand that your manager is a human who has faults of their own and try not to take their poor management personally. Be the kind, encouraging, and supportive leader that your workplace is lacking and your peers will naturally flock to you in your role," Anna and Sarah suggested that employees shouldn't wait until they have authority to be the types of managers they'd like to see at work.
#7
Ooooo I have a similar experience, back when I was about 20ish, my poor dog passed away. I texted and told my manager I won’t be making it in for a couple hours because my dog died in my arms. He proceeded to tell me about how this is highly unprofessional and that I needed to get my priorities straight. I told him to f**k himself and my dog is my priority, and if he didn’t think that was a good priority to f**k himself. When I showed up later at work balling my eyes out all he did was glare at me from his office. When I told the rest of my coworkers what happened they went absolutely ape s**t and forced me to go home (“we’ll clock you out in the morning, get out of here and go home”). Last thing I remember was all of my coworkers outside of the managers office going off on the manager (nobody liked him that much lmfao) while I was walking out of the door. It was a great group of people to work with and we were all like family. I hope they’re doing well now.
Flash Henry 3 years ago
My boss can be a pain in the a**e sometimes, but when my cat died ten years ago and I said I couldn't come in that day, he told me to take as many days as I needed. I still work for him.
SupernaturalPanda 3 years ago
When I was told there was nothing else that could be done for my cat who I cared and loved like my fourth child. I was heartbroken, devastated and couldn’t concentrate at work. My then supervisor was very sweet and let me stay home a few days with no repercussions. I’ve always respected her for that
Autumn Artemis 3 years ago
My cats have been there to cuddle, be stupid to make me laugh, and just sit in silence when I was at my lowest- and some people don’t understand how important pets can be. Just because they have shorter lifespans doesn’t mean their lives were less meaningful
AK to LV 3 years ago
I read somewhere that part of what makes the loss of a pet so hard is the unconditional love that you lose along with the companionship.
Load More Replies... Beth Burgh 3 years ago
Dude, what an ahole of a boss. Pets are family, I am so glad that your coworkers stood up for you.
AK to LV 3 years ago
One of my old jobs, my supervisor and his wife raised parrots. Some disease started killing off some of the birds. I seem to remember that the meds were every 4 hours and they had to hand feed the birds. My supervisor's wife was an emotional wreck. Our job had no problem letting him take time off and work an adjusted schedule.
Jon Borrmann 3 years ago
Sorry for your loss,, good work surroundings. . Good people that understand fur babies are more than just pets..
#8
I got written up for not attending the Christmas party over our days off, I had the flu. When I asked the ceo why she wrote me up she said, the rules do not give anyone a reason to miss the Christmas party. I asked her what if I died, she said, well, the rule says you have to attend or you get written up. This was a non profit to help me dv victims and provide mental health treatment to those in Los Angeles. A few weeks later she fired an intern for getting pregnant. The intern sued and rightfully won.
Kate Jones 3 years ago (edited)
Dance slaves, dance! They just want to take pictures and post it on their company site to make people think everyone is so happy and it's a fun place to work. If you're required to do it, it's not fun. And I hope that she requested getting paid for that. If she's going to be required to be there or risk disciplinary action than she should be paid.
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Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
OK boss, I’ll drag myself to the party, but if you catch the flu from me, don’t try to say I didn’t warn you.
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
You can't legally force an employee to attend a work event unless you're paying them.
Rosie Cat 3 years ago
The job was helping domestic violence victims and provide mental health treatment. Yet this manager was mentally abusing the employees? Disgusting and I hope she was fired.
- 3 years ago
The CEO would write up a corpse for not showing sufficient "esprit de corps"? Here's an easy solution: shlep the body to the Christmas party and turn the forced fiesta into a funeral! The CEO could even throw in a team-building exercise: an impromptu pantomime of Hamlet, with the body playing Yorick. Of course, everyone will want to play the Ghost of Hamlet's father (Act I) so that they can fùck off home early. :(
Nancy Howard 3 years ago
Say what? The rules state you must attend a Christmas party? This sounds like one for the ACLU or Freedom from Religion group. Oh wait. I just remembered the Supreme Court just linked religion and schools so employers can't be far behind.
#9
I just lost a great employee because my DM rejected the time off I submitted for her for literally no good reason at all. I had coverage for her shifts. It was no problem at all to accommodate her. DM declined it just because she could.
I warned her this employee would likely resign, as she doesn't need this job - she works because she wants to.
When she did quit, DM did some serious mental gymnastics trying to craft reasons it was MY fault we lost her.
Boreddd🇺🇦 3 years ago
Yeah, like Putin, or the people in the supreme court, or terrible managers etc.
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Sometimes, a scheduling mistake is exactly what it sounds like—an honest-to-God mistake. But when these mistakes tend to pop up whenever you have something important going on in your life, it might make your Sus-o-meters go haywire and show 'Max Suspicious.'
Oftentimes, it’s inflexible managers or bosses who don’t see their workers as living, breathing human beings that are the problem. Learning to navigate these sorts of superiors, who relish making your life hell and want to squeeze every little bit of usefulness from you, is a challenge. Usually, it all comes down to what you can stomach: do you want to try and stay and make things better or have you finally had enough and want to move on somewhere else?
Life coach Lindsay Hanson explained to Bored Panda during an earlier interview that we ought to be honest with ourselves about how we truly feel about our work. All of us are responsible for setting the boundaries for what we’re willing to tolerate in all aspects of our life, including at work. And it’s up to us to act when these boundaries are (repeatedly) ignored.
It might seem that you’re alone, but you always have options. You can ask your colleagues for advice. You can talk to the folks working in HR. You also have the option of speaking to your superiors directly. Sure, your direct supervisor might be a jerk who’s making you consider quitting, but their boss might be someone who actually cares.
#10
I started a job right before I got married, entry level work in the dietary department of a hospital. I mostly washed a lot of dishes. Before getting hired, I mentioned I would need quite a few days off due to my wedding, & they said they’d work with me. They didn’t.
I was scheduled to work the night of my reception dinner, & I informed my supervisor of that. She knew this in advance, but for some reason scheduled me anyway. I asked every person there if they’d work for me, & they said no, but they were sure I’d get it off. So I reminded/asked her, & she told me tough luck. I stood there, dumbfounded. Everyone else overheard this, & they, too, we’re in absolute disbelief. Thankfully, one of the ladies offered to work for me, & the supervisor couldn’t say no to that.
The next day I asked to speak privately with my supervisor. She was in the cafeteria with a friend, & told me that anything I needed to say I could tell her out there now. So I politely handed her my two week notice. She tried to keep calm, but she was furious, & her face was beet red. I basically had to come back & work two days after my wedding, & I did.
Tigerpacingthecage 3 years ago
Well... that was very dutiful. I would have just left. If they don't respect my time I don't have to respect theirs. That will only lead to more issues in the future.
Marco Conti 3 years ago
Two week notices are unnecessary. 49 out of 50 states have no such regulation for hiring, firing or quitting. If you can afford it, just tell them to stuff it.
K. Anderson 3 years ago
You must have needed money cause i would not have come back for the 2 days. They would try to give you a bad reference either ways
Nitka Tsar 3 years ago
It is strange to me that you can quit or get fired with only 2 weeks notice. It's 3 months here. But we don't have such harsh work conditions either, so there is that. Good for you, that you could do that
#11
Hey me from 12 years ago! Wedding anniversary is July 23rd. I got hired at this company and let them know months in advance of my wedding. I was a top performer in my department they all loved me, but denied my request for "unpaid time off".
Kept saying it was non negotiable. I was getting married, period. They kept acting confused, saying things like "who's getting married? Your brother?"
Ultimately I told them my last day would be the week before my wedding so I could concentrate on that. They tried to get me to stay and I told them, literally just give me off the days I requested and I'll come right back and keep being the same top performer in the department!
Nope.
So I had to quit.
It sucked getting married and being unemployed, taking months to find something else. But ultimately I'm glad I left. If they wouldn't accommodate my marriage they would have sucked for other things too. My career really took off after that company.
Good luck!
SupernaturalPanda 3 years ago
Some employers fail to realize that by treating their employees like s**t does not keep us down we will and can find better employment elsewhere and in today’s time of social media you can bet we will destroy you .
#12
When my daughter was in high school, she worked for Safeway and she asked for a day off for her best friend's (now her husband) mom's funeral. Her friends mom had died very unexpectedly.
They told her "You have to ask for PTO seven days in advance". She said "But she wasn't dead then!" They gave her the day.
Bryn 3 years ago (edited)
I liked shopping at my local one but they're known as Slaveway for a reason. I hated working for them and having to pay union dues when got nothing from the benefits of being in a union (didn't work enough hours).
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
How long ago was this? I worked a union job from 2012-2017, and paying dues wasn’t compulsory. The sucky part of that was the union had to extend the same union benefits to the people who didn’t want to pay dues as they have those of us who did. Making that b******t mandatory was another way conservatives thought of to try and break unions and make every job like a f*****g sweatshop. Anyway, I paid, and was happy to do it. Besides, it was a tiny enough percentage of my salary that I didn’t miss it. In fact, even though I don’t work there anymore, I still get one of the benefits I was offered at the time. It’s a discount on my electric bill, where I pay much less per kilowatt hour (between a third and a half less). I renew it every time they send me their reminder. I loved having the protection of the union, because it also forced management to treat us like adults instead of naughty children who need to be micromanaged. Sweet.
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Jaden Alexander 3 years ago
This same thing happened to me. My best friend and I met when we were 5. We grew up together, living 4 blocks from each other. His parents were like my second parents. When his dad "unalived" suddenly, I was living 1000 miles away. I had worked for Bartell Drugs in Seattle for over 10 years at the time. My actual boss was on vacation at the time and #2 never really liked me. He denied my 3 day leave to attend the service. HR and corporate did nothing to help me. I couldn't afford to lose my job so I wasn't able to attend.
Glasia van Duivels 3 years ago (edited)
Id reply: I am a (your job) and not a fortune teller or occultist
"If you feel that there's nothing you can do to change the situation and the company or people involved are unwilling to change, then you have to decide whether you're willing to stay in that environment or not. A good question to ask yourself is, even if this toxic situation were to change, would I still want to work here?" life coach Lindsay shared some guiding questions that each employee should ask themselves.
In the expert’s opinion, workers can either try to find some form of happiness or contentment in the position they’re in now, or realize that they have to look for a way out. Nobody should ever feel like they’re imprisoned in the position and company they’re at currently, whether there’s a pandemic raging globally or due to the financial issues we’re seeing right now.
There will always be companies hiring, there are always ways to make money on your own. It’s important to let go of the notion that you’re stuck and that you can’t change your situation.
"You can do everything in your power to bring attention to the toxic situation and attempt to change it. And at the end of the day, you always have control over your own mindset, how you're reacting to the situation, and how much you let it affect you,” Lindsay told Bored Panda.
#13
I remember I had family coming into town, and at the time I lived near Disney world so obviously any family coming in town wanted to go. I put the whopping TWO DAYS of PTO in 3 months in advance and they approved it. They had two people quit the week before my dates and let me know they’d be rejecting my PTO.
I tried to reason with them that 1. Id purchased tickets and 2. Planned it in advance and did everything I was supposed to do. No dice, manager was sorry but they needed me. “No. I don’t think you understand. Im letting you know that I’m going… so all you did was force me to take an attendance point.” My manager was flabbergasted I was just still planning on going.
My PTO requests in advance are not an ask. They’re a tell.
tara 3 years ago
Oh they can and they will. My workplace told me if I am granted vacation time, and the person filling in for me suddenly couldn't work, I would be expected to stop my vacation, return home, and come to work.
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Nightshade1972 3 years ago
I once got concert tickets three months in advance of the show. I told my bosses immediately, and asked for eitherr the Fri/Sat or the Sat/Sun off (concert was Sat). They told me they'd take care of it. Lo and behold, the schedule for the week of the concert goes up. Only day off I have is Sun (which in retail is very unusual), and I'm working so late on Sat that I'll miss half the concert. I looked at the rest of the schedule and found someone who had Sat off. I asked if she'd be willing to work Sat for me. They'd been shorting her on hours, so she was more than happy to take my shift. When we both told our bosses, they tried to give me grief for "forcing" my coworker to take my shift. Coworker and I just laughed. I went to the concert and had a great time.
Scott Rackley 3 years ago
Where I work, PTO is non negotiable. There is no approval or denying it.
Darla Taylor 3 years ago
Had supervisors last place I worked that were like this so whenever anyone wanted off they just called in for 3 days fmla sick leave. Heck even some of the supervisors did the same thing because they hated their managers.
#14
I like when you request time off and the boss tells you to find someone to take your place that day. It's like, that's your job, not mine.
Gwyn 3 years ago (edited)
These managers are super lazy. They are in charge of the schedule anyway. And isn't it better to find someone yourself so you can ensure people don't go into overtime or you have the right combination of staff in that shift? And if they'd paid attention to the time off requests in the first place it should have already been in the schedule. And they should hire enough people to allow the entire staff to take reasonable amounts of time off!
SelkieBlackfysh 3 years ago
LMAO I had one boss so this to me. I stood there a second, nodded and said. "Found one." Then pointed at him and walked out. He found someone to cover by the end of the day, miraculously enough.
#15
This is like when I worked at a major chain grocery store and they "declined" my time off for the last 2 days a 5-day trip.
I found out when I had already left.
Called the store and told my boss "I've already left, we drove, it's not my car and so I couldn't come back early even if I wanted to. This wasn't a request, it was a courtesy so you had time to schedule someone else. Good luck getting that staffed tomorrow."
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
You know, there’s always someone who would like to put in some overtime, and who would love to work your shift, or a part of it (splitting it with someone who want extra hours too). Maybe they have some unexpected bills to pay down, or they’re saving up for something special, or whatever. Something that has them motivated to work extra hours. But management would rather threaten and strong arm their employees into giving up their long planned time off, for which they put in requests which were okayed shortly after—-and for which they will lose money already spent on travel, food, lodging, etc that is likely non-refundable—-than to just make an announcement that there are some hours available for temporary overtime if anyone’s interested, then post the available hours on the office/site/warehouse message board, and wait for the crowd of volunteers to divvy the time up. FFS.
Bec 3 years ago
I worked light manufacturing in college, 4 hour shifts, worked around our classes. I wasn't scheduled to work on Friday nights because I thought I would go home to my parents some weekends, but when I didn't, we could pick up other people's shifts and it wouldn't count against them. I was very popular, and got people to buy me lots of free dinner on top of the extra hours.
Load More Replies...Meanwhile, Eddy Ng, the Associate Professor & Smith Professor of Equity & Inclusion at Queen’s University, stressed to Bored Panda that if one’s manager and HR don’t react to repeated complaints about a toxic workplace, it’s an indication that it’s best to switch employers.
However, there’s a flip side, too. "If management makes an effort for change, then it would be an opportunity to assist with that change," he said that if the workplace makes genuine attempts to change things for the better, it’s a sign that the employer is listening to feedback.
#16
A friend of mine booked off for her destination wedding 1 full year in advance. The month before she was to go they told her she could not. She said fine, I won't take it as paid time off but I can't come in as I won't be in the country. They said her not being there would put them in a huge bind and they could not afford to not have her there so she would just have to come in to work. She went top her wedding anyways of course. When she came back she was brought in for a meeting with all the higher ups about her disciplinary action. Her punishment for taking 2 weeks off to get married and leaving her team high and dry without her was... get this... a 2 week suspension!!! The irony!
Kate Jones 3 years ago
That's so ridiculous. Look I was a manager for a long time and I understand the complexity and difficulty of trying to cover shifts especially if you have small business. But if someone is giving the proper notice and it doesn't go against company policy, they should get the time off they've earned. With our company you were only allowed to take 1 week at a time, even if you had more, as policy. You could schedule 2 weeks at different times throughout the year but not at the same time. It also needed to be an actual workweek, M-F. No Wednesday to Wednesdays, etc. We only had a small staff so we could only do so much. But this was very well known and no surprise to anyone. We always tried to work around things if we could. Someone went on a 10 day cruise once so we made and exception. People shouldn't be made to feel like they can't take time off.
Fiona Bell 3 years ago
Wow listening to all these stories makes me so glad I donr work in the states. I married an American but we chose to live in the UK. Thank f×@k
#17
A few years I worked part-time and was unavailable certain days/times for college classes. I tried my best to give them the most availability I could, like if I had morning classes I'd still put I was available for the evening and vice versa. There was a single day a week that I had a bulk of my classes so that was the only day I put I was fully unavailable.
I go in one day to see they wrote me in on the schedule for my one unavailable day... during finals week. I told my manager I couldn't come in and she told me to make it work. No, she needed to make it work. If she didn't find someone else there wouldn't be anyone covering, and that's not my problem. She threatened to fire me, but I was a college kid living at home. I didn't have any bills besides my car and I was damn good at my job, so they needed me more than I needed them. I told her if the job interfered with school I'd quit.
Magically she found someone else to cover and got pissed at me for "threatening" her with quitting. I told her it's not a threat, it's a statement. If she was going to force me to choose between work and school I would choose school.
I'm so f**king glad to be done with customer service.
BannedFromABoatShow 3 years ago
Boy I wish I’d known how to say that to my c**p manager in college. You are a legend.
James G. Currie 3 years ago
"If it were not for the Customers, Customer Service would be a dream job!"
Scott Rackley 3 years ago
It's a simple personality/power dynamic. They think there are options. You need to inform them there is an option, ONE option, the one you just stated.
#18
My former employer tried to pull this with me.
It was a call center and was notorious for being difficult to get time off. People were pissed and eventually they "caved" and adopted a new PTO system. I knew it was a crock of s**t and in the HR/staff meetings regarding the issue, I puiblically called HR and management out on it. They told me it out be different.
I stood in front of about 40 people and I was like:
"In 12 monts time, I'm taking 2 weeks off, flying home, and getting married. I will not be here for 2 weeks regardless if I have a job or not. I invite every person in this room to check in with me in 12 months time and see the fruits of HR's labour"
Management was not happy with me and I had a meeting with the center director. Luckily she was one of the few I trust in management. She understood but promised it would be different.
8 months later, I entered my PTO request (we can make a request 4 months in advance). A week later, it was all denied. I went back and forth with management and HR about this. Constant denied PTOs, bulls**t from management, same old s**t. Finally I went to the center director and told her; "This is my wedding date, these are the days I won't be here, this is the result of numerous PTO requests. My flight leaves in 2 days. Make this work"
She told me she'd take care of it and I got confirmation of my PTO request being aproved 9 hours prior to my flight leaving.
Flew home, got married to the love of my life, visited family, had an amazing time. Came back to the center, stress levels on max right out of the gate. Those f**kers had me as "no call, no show" for the whole 2 weeks I was away. My supervisor had to contact HR every day I was away to remind them.
Anyway, I survived and ended up working with a handfull of others to try and form a union. We got close but the center tied it up with their lawyers and closed the center prior to the union forming.
OP, Get married and enjoy life a little. IF you died today, your workplace would replace you tomorrow. Good luck brother!
Kaleena 3 years ago
Companies get so scared of unions because unions force them to treat their workers with even a sliver of decency. Unions are amazing and we need more of them
James G. Currie 3 years ago (edited)
Unions have become just another Big Business... You can be burned by them as easily as by the Company you work for. Years ago, the rep for my BU would literally sit down with the rep for the company, and he would hand the company rep unwinnable cases as a bargaining chip for them to not fight another case. I also know of many companies that treat their employees well, along with great benefits. I know of one gent that left a tool & die company to work for a major Aerospace company. The company offered him something like 15% more per hour. A year or so later, he came back begging for his old job. He was actually netting *less* because of the dues, and had fewer benefits! (The Politics, company & union, were also toxic!)
Load More Replies... Elaine Morinelli 3 years ago
My advice is never EVER sacrifice your time with family or friends or even yourself for a job. They will replace you so fast it will make your head spin.
SupernaturalPanda 3 years ago (edited)
Exactly this!!! They will replace you and go on about their daily s**t as if nothing happened. We are not meant to be cogs in the wheel. We are better than that. People need to stand up for themselves!!
#19
I got fired for taking a week for my honeymoon. F**king wish I had just quit and taken two weeks. Would have been so much less stressed.
#20
20 years ago, I was a consultant at Deloitte and I took a week off for my brother's visit to America. I have been looking forward to our time together and we had several plans in place. My boss called me in the middle of the week and asked me to fly to Canada for a pre-sales presentation prep and it can't be done without me. I told him I can't, and he said think about it and call me again in two hours. I didn't and he called me sharp after two hours and again asked me to cancel my PTO in the middle of it. I told him no can do.
When I got back, our MD called me and told me I am let go. The best thing to happen to me. I joined a biotech company whose stock exploded a couple of years after I joined and now I am a Sr. Director making over a half a mil a year and have had great work life balance ever since I quit Deloitte.
So, leaving the bastards who want you to prioritize dumb s**t over important aspects of your life is the best thing that can happen to you.
Gregory Mead 3 years ago
I hope you call up the MD every now and then and thank him/her for improving your life so much.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
I hope the boss and/or MD end up putting an application in to the OP’s new job, and they ask the OP about whether they should be hired. Oh, the POWER!
Load More Replies... #21
My former employer tried that with me. I had to let them know the time off isn't a request, Its a courtesy notification of the days my labor is not for sale. I took the time off, came back to work afterwards and it was never mentioned again
#22
My grandmother, who practically raised me, passed away unexpectedly. The funeral was set for Easter weekend (just a few days after her passing). I worked at a chocolate store and Easter was one of the busiest times of the year. My boss asked me to come into work after her funeral…
#23
I was hired for a new position that was absolutely desperate for staff (manager even told me this in the interview). Before saying yes, I asked the manager if I could have the week of and the week after my wedding off for wedding and honeymoon. She said no. I declined the position. Ended up getting to go back and work there as a travel nurse after my wedding and honeymoon were all done. This was even for about 4 times the pay and only temporary staffing help. Now they’re even more desperate for staff but I got to work my 5+ months and then leave. So glad I didn’t stay as staff.
#24
Yeah, my daughter was refused Her week of bereavement leave for her grandfather. She quit.
James G. Currie 3 years ago
My job, a second order relative is 2 days paid, and another 1-2 unpaid. One extra of each if they live out of Province.
#25
My job tried to write me up for a no call no show when I was on my honeymoon. I don’t work there anymore and life is much better.
Nunya Business 3 years ago
I hope these companies are really struggling to keep their employees now AND learning a lesson from that.
#26
Had a very similar thing happen when I was in vocational school. Gave them 6 months notice but they decided it wasn't responsible to take a Friday off to prepare for my wedding on Saturday. So I told them to f**k off and left. Best decision I ever made.
#27
I remember one time, I had put in for some vacation days. Handed the paper to the supervisor, and he immediately tried to deny it. He said he had too many people off that week and my request was denied. I told him straight up, "I wasn't requesting, I was informing you that I will not be here those days."
MiriPanda 3 years ago
As much as I feel for all these people with horrible managers - you can't just decide the dates for your PTO on your own. Anyone working with colleagues will have to check with them, too. The request is not for time off as such, but for the dates. (In my company we have to request 25 days out of our PTO of 30 days at the beginning of the year and then we fiddle about until everyone is ok with the result.)
Ash 3 years ago
I was going to type out a retort, but then I realized that there's no way you're from the US if you get 30 days off every year and actually get to use it 😂
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#28
When I was getting married , I told my boss that I needed that week off.
" I don't know if we can give you that time off. There are already a bunch booked off that week."
" Bring a camera to work that Monday and take a picture. Let me know if there's a surprised look on your face, ' cause I won't be here. "
Kate Jones 3 years ago
How is it your fault he didn't plan better? I'm assuming you put your request in in plenty of time prior. It's not like a surprise you were getting married. If he gave everyone that time off at the same time that's his fault!
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
Oh but sometimes the boos, or one of their a*s-kissing pals, just HAS to have that exact same time off! You know, a week long booty call with their piece on the side—-telling the wife it’s a work trip, of course. Or something just as unimportant, in comparison to a wedding, a funeral, the birth of a child, etc. A*****e bosses always give favors like that to their minions, by taking them away from those who legitimately called first dibs, and got them approved, long ago.
Load More Replies... ReggieTx 3 years ago
I'm not really in support of this one. It doesn't really sound like this poster was giving a lot of notice since several others had already requested the time and, either way, the response was a little unnecessarily rude. There's a difference between jerk employers and entitled employees.
#29
Back in 2012, I decided to take my entire family on the first vacation we had ever had.
My wife and I worked at the same company, her Frontline me a little further up the ladder.
The management learned not to mess with any of my requests for anything, I was not afraid to go screaming up the ladder all the way to corporate if necessary
As we reported to 2 different management chains, her request for the time off was immediately and completely denied. She was told that there was absolutely no availability.
I stepped in, contacted hr, my management, and the highest site management noting I would go beyond if needed. I advised that we were both taking that time off and that the denial had better be reversed. Also that I wouldcnot be checking any further.
We went on that vacation as we decided.
Not a word was said by anybody in the company.
ReggieTx 3 years ago
Exactly. This sounds like another case of an entitled employee as opposed to a jerk employer. Very much sounds like, rather than explain the situation, this dude just went full Karen (Kyle?) until he got his way.
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Niall Mac Iomera 3 years ago
Is it just me or does this seem a bit like abuse of power / conflict of interests?
#30
I have a friend her principal told her to go to a Dept mtg with the District on the 1 yr anniversary of her son’s suicide. F**king ridiculous
Ash 3 years ago
This seems like maybe an oversight. Unless she's constantly talking about it, how is a supervisor or manager supposed to remember the date of someone else's loved one's death?
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
If she put in for it in advance, then they should respect that.
Load More Replies... #31
I had a similar experience at my job, my wife was pregnant. Now how many months does one know that at some point there will be time off needed? Oh about 8 to 9 months, not to mention i was talking about it for the entire 9 months and everyone in the whole building knew. Leading up to the day she was scheduled to be induced my boss told me he had had no idea i asked for time off and was super surprised
Cody 3 years ago
You are legally entitled to that time off. In the US, under the FMLA, it's up to 12 weeks unpaid, but they are legally required to ensure you still have a job at the end of that 12 weeks.
James G. Currie 3 years ago
Different Countries, different standards. Canada has 40 weeks Maternal/Paternal leave legislated. However, either partner can only take 35 weeks max. The other is for the other partner. The time-off is covered by EI (Employment Insurance), but is, unfortunately, considered Income, and taxable.
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#32
My boyfriend’s job tried to recall him in the middle of our vacation. He was a groomsman in his best friend’s wedding and they called him the day of. They eventually gave in and “let” us stay. Then they promptly fired him for “insubordination” when we returned.
Paul Jordan 3 years ago
We don’t have a “labor board” as such(Tennessee, U.S.). In fact this is a “right to hire” state, which means you can be fired at any time, with no reason needed
Load More Replies... #33
I asked for 5 days off for my wedding (20+) years ago. I worked for a super shitty place. They said I could have 2. Took 2 and called in sick the other 3. Zero repercussions. Fuck them. Most places should know how expensive it is to replace you.
#34
I took a month off for my wedding and when I told the boss I was taking a month off he started saying he wasn't sure that would be possible...
Oh your mistaken sir, I won't be here that month. It's no longer my problem. Let me know if you want me to come in when I get back.
Fall F. 3 years ago
In normal countries you have 1,5 month paid holidays.
Load More Replies... Kate Jones 3 years ago
Without any context, I can understand where he's coming from. A month off is a lot and I imagine hard to schedule, especially if it's a small business. And if that goes against company policy then I understand them being upset. As much as they'd love to honor any request, there has to be some limitation on how people take time off or it could cause havoc on the business. And the business is what they need to worry about at the end of the day. And for most companies you want to be as accommodating as possible but when you take a job, you agree to follow the policies that everyone has to follow. You only taking a max of 2 weeks ensures that everyone gets to take their time, too. Especially in the summer when everyone wants their time off.
#35
This happened to me too years ago. I submitted my two weeks notice to HR directly referencing the decline of PTO to get married. The PTO was suddenly approved, oversights happen don’t ya know?, and I stayed working until I found a job that didn’t have so many oversights.
#36
Same thing happened to me. Put in PTO at the beginning of the year for my sons first birthday next month and it was just declined due to staffing issues. I’ve been at my job for 1.5 years and never requested any other time off. Looks like I’m going to be sick that day
Debbie 3 years ago
Everyone is different, but I don't know of people that really take the whole day off for the first birthday of their kid. We usually celebrate on a weekend day when most visitors have days off too and can visit. If it is on one of your regular work days - it still is a regular workday. A birthdayparty can be more easily adjusted to sleep day than a funeral. That said, if it was a risky/long awaited pregnancy or something I can get why it is such a big thing.
#37
Had the same thing happened. Two weeks ahead of time, let the owner and scheduling know I would not be available for my daughter's birthday. The day of, owner called me and asked why I wasn't there. I replied, "Two weeks ago, I let you know today's my daughter's birthday and I wouldn't be available for scheduling." He replied, "You told me, you didn't ask." That was the end of the working relationship.
Miles Mawyer 3 years ago
He replied, "You told me, you didn't ask." I'd be hard pressed not to reply with "No sh*t..." How poor is your communication skill if you don't understand that was a request for time off?
Debbie 3 years ago (edited)
Depends on the contract you have. Birthdays are no reason for special time off here. That would be the same as taking time off for vacation. Weddings, funerals and births of direct family are special occasions that time off is a given
Marco Conti 3 years ago
Personally, I don't give a flying about my own birthday, but parents with small children may have relatives coming over, things to organize. Who knows? I can't really speak for it. The issue is that both employers and employees need to be reasonable and managers are paid for figuring out personnel issues. A manager that cannot accommodate an employer needs is a bad manager. What if the employee was in a car accident? Would the store/workplace close? You work to live, not live to work.
Load More Replies... #38
I always think of my old manager at Applebees who tried to keep one of the managers on the day they were getting married. It’s because he had plans to go out of town. Don’t worry, the staff revolted and he ended up postponing his plans like a caring person would. I recall he was just going to go fishing, like he did once a month and he could easily move it to the following weekend but he just wanted to be a little controlling bitch.
#39
I was a teacher and there was a policy against taking pto the day before or after vacation. In September I said I was taking a Friday in April. It was the Friday before vacation. Principal said he couldn’t approve it. I said “well I’m not going to be here so do what you have to do.” I wasn’t there. He never mentioned it.
#40
Same thing happened to my sister in law. She was working at Target at the time. When they denied her request she was like, "well I'm not going to be here so you can either work around my schedule or go through the pain of trying to replace me." Thankfully they made it work.
#41
Ooof, this reminded me of when I asked my boss if it was okay with her that I take time off over Christmas to get married (wedding took place about a week before, and that was the only time to be able to get our families who live all over the US together in one place) and she told me “no it’s not okay with me but you’re getting married anyways so what am I going to do about it?” This was after I had told her multiple times about the window we were thinking for the wedding and requested the time off several months in advance. I had even verbally extended an invitation and had one printed out for her. Anyways after that conversation her invitation went in the extras pile and I didn’t tell her any more details about the wedding, which was great.
#42
I started a job at Pepsi a month before my wedding and they initially denied it. After 3 voicemails and confronting my new boss about it he "forgot." Convenient.
#43
Mine was rejected when I got married the first time. Simply told them that I wasn’t asking for permission. I was giving them a heads-up that there would only be one person on my unit those days unless they filled those spots. Didn’t hear another thing from them.
#44
I got married earlier this year and requested the weekend of my wedding off because we were doing mandatory 8 hrs OT on Saturdays. I was told I could take Saturday off but still had to make up the OT somewhere. I quit that place as soon as I got my yearly bonus in the bank.
#45
i sent my manager a message saying i cant make it in and to put time in for me. his reply- 'why not?' i ignored it and sent the same message to one of the other, more experienced managers and got a near immediate 'ok'. the next day i went in, the first manager came up to me in person and asked again why i wasnt in that one day, plus he gave me a hard time for ignoring his message. i called hr about that, and sent a screenshot of the initial text conversation. i guess he got it good because he hasnt been making much eye contact with me since then.
Debbie 3 years ago
It's it forbidden to ask why someone can't come in? Here you can't ask for details, but "I'm sick/kids is sick/house is on fire" would be enough to know where to register your hours. Mostly it would be asked out of my worry / interest in your well-being. Kind and good managers would.
John L 3 years ago
If you earned, the PTO, it's none of their d@mn business. When I take PTO, I usually don't say why, nor schedule in advance....it's none of their business.....
Load More Replies... #46
I worked for a company that would routinely deny PTP or vacation time and valued the workers who never got sick, never took any time and work themselves to death. I worked 5 years without taking a single day off and often slept at the office since I had a long commute. Finally got physically sick of that place and left. There was no concept of work life balance, the more you worked the other managers would compare who worked more…stupid looking back now. Owners would take their entire family many sales and office personnel for a 2-3 week all inclusive paid for flights included to their beach house in Hawaii for the winter holidays. All us peons had denied time during that month since “no one is available to cover “ wonder why. Luckily I WFH now making 50K more than that place. Work life balance is an amazing quality I’ll never give up again.
#47
My old company tried to do the same thing to me. I told them they might as well approve it because I was going anyways, and if I had to take it unpaid despite having earned PTO, I'd be looking for a new job.
What do you think ?
Nathaniel 3 years ago
Are the majority of these in America? Seriously guys, do you not have any workers rights? I have had days cancelled when I have just been using up leave and not been bothered by it, but for anything that is serious, or have plans for, birthdays, weddings, funerals etc not a chance would management ignore or deny a request like that.
Adagar 3 years ago
No, we don't. I'm lucky enough to work at a place that's very good to its employees, have never had a request denied, and have seen management insist on others taking PTO if they haven't for a while for their mental health, but the majority of people here have hardly any rights in the workplace, especially when it comes to scheduling and time off.
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User# 6 3 years ago
Ah, all stories from 'the land of the free' How some of them delude themselves that they live in the greatest country in the world is beyond me.
Gwyn 3 years ago
Most of us know. It's not a real democracy anymore, rule by minority.
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Torsten 3 years ago
To put this even more in perspective: In Germany there might be works agreements or establishment agreements for all employees in a company (parallel to individual employment contracts) which regulate *additional* days off, e.g. 2 days for your marriage, 1 day for your childen's marriage, 1 day for work related moving, ... . And yes: this is *on top* of the potential sick days and the 25-30 vacation days.
Scotira 3 years ago
True. So we shouldn't forget the workers in preceding generations fought for those rights we have now.
Load More Replies... Tigerpacingthecage 3 years ago
These people accept a lot more than I would have. Maybe it's because I'm in Europe with some regulations I guess (even though shitty employers exist here too, no doubt) but I don't tolerate any of this anymore. Respect and loyalty goes both ways. You spend a lot of your time working - don't waste that time on someone who treats you like trash and don't hold up to agreements. You can always find another job but with some events in life you will never have another chance.
Jaden Alexander 3 years ago
One night I wasn't feeling so hot so I told my roommate that I was taking a cab to the hospital to get checked out. It was 1am and we both had to be at work at 6:30am - same company, different departments. When I got to the hospital what I thought was a breathing problem was a heart attack problem. That's a story for another time though. A few hours, and 5 stents later, I call my roommate to give him the lowdown and tell him to let the boss know what's up and that I wouldn't be in. At 7:05am, the boss called my phone (landline) and left a message saying that the roomie told him that I wouldn't be in and I needed to call him and tell him what time I'd be in.
KimB 3 years ago
Haha I work for a group of cardiologists one told me a story similar to yours they were wheeling a patient from the ER to the cath lab having a heart attack. Patient cell phone rings he answers it's his boss he was telling the boss what was happening and the boss kept asking when the patient would be at work...the cardiologist took the phone and said he needed to stabilize him and stop the heart attack before a return to work conversation (basically saying back off!)...the boss understood lol
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Bi-Polar Express 3 years ago
On the other hand, I started work about 7 months pregnant with my second child. Schools were year round and on tracks back then (3/4 of the kids on 1/4 off. So you'd go 3 months then have a month off. One of the four was always off and kept from being overcrowded when they didn't have the money to build more schools. Not on that anymore!) and HR just asked when I was due and showed me the best track to be on based on my due date, I'd take paid time off and still have a month off after that. I've been in this school district for 25 years.
Gwyn 3 years ago (edited)
I'm glad that a lot of these people were just like, I'm taking the time off, you figure it out, and had no repercussions. But some folks live in such poverty that they can't take the risk of being fired, they work in a place where they can be replaced quickly and easily, so they can't do anything about it. We need better benefits, better laws and better enforcement.
LynzCatastrophe 3 years ago
I had booked my measly 4 days off in May for my birthday at the start of the year, knowing it was a long weekend and I needed to be approved in advance. I was approved no problem. Then the week before my vacation head office made a huge mistake and decided restructuring was needed, employees were transferred between different locations. Because many people choose their home store based on how close it was to their own home, there were a lot of people quitting suddenly. I was planning to quit too because I wasn't happy with it either, but I wanted a new job before quitting. The day before my vacation, my DM told me my vacation days were denied and I have to cancel because they couldn't find coverage. I already had coverage in advance from my coworker who jumped at extra hours. My DM couldn't cover me because she was covering another manager at a different location, one she was good friends with who had told me two weeks prior she wasn't doing anything for that weekend.
LynzCatastrophe 3 years ago
I had everything booked and paid for. I told her no. She told me "you're going to be close by (3 hours away), you can make it. Seriously?! I walked to the back, grabbed my stuff, handed her my keys and said "this location should be shut down", and walked out. It should have been, it was a bad neighborhood, had too many days in a row with no sales. It did get shut down.
Load More Replies... Carneirinha87 3 years ago
My situation was in England. Not as bad as these, and I already shared it a couple of times, but I think I can share again. I worked for a very well known toy company for 6 years. As you can imagine, Christmas was our busiest time so it was very hard to take time off during that time. A couple of months before they're ask us to request time off during that time so they could choose. I never asked for holidays during that time as I knew it would be hard to get but me and my boyfriend won some money to spend on holidays from the McDonald's Monopoly competition so we booked for Christmas and New Year's. Not a lot of time, from the 22nd Dec until the 6th Jan, so not that long. I even explained why we booked it and pointed out that I never asked for this time off. They said no. Oh well, I was already tired of working in a place where we were not taken seriously (customer service) and treated as completely dispensable and getting anxiety attacks so I quit. 1/2
Carneirinha87 3 years ago
My immediate boss said I could appeal with the big boss but I shouldn't be begging when I did so much for the company. My last day was the day of the Christmas party which was brilliant. In February I went to an interview and got the job, started the next day. I earn more, need to know a lot less, not stressful at all, I don't have kids and entitled parents complaining all the time, and the company is paying for my studies. All in all, a win-win situation. Still a bit sad I left as I loved the company but the environment wasn't great.
Load More Replies... Micah 3 years ago
Nothing as serious as the situations above. When I used to work for a supermarket, I often worked late and closed on Sundays. I requested to work early or be off for the Super Bowl. Outside of America, it's better known as the "Superb Owl." When we got our schedule, the manager once again put me to work late and had her friends working early. I went up to her and said "I requested off well in advance. There is no reason why they [her friends] can't work late on Sunday, plus they don't even watch football. You can either switch me to work early, or I won't come in." She switched me to work early. There's a whole history of nepotism and other types of favoritism that caused me to have that reaction.
Nathaniel 3 years ago
Are the majority of these in America? Seriously guys, do you not have any workers rights? I have had days cancelled when I have just been using up leave and not been bothered by it, but for anything that is serious, or have plans for, birthdays, weddings, funerals etc not a chance would management ignore or deny a request like that.
Adagar 3 years ago
No, we don't. I'm lucky enough to work at a place that's very good to its employees, have never had a request denied, and have seen management insist on others taking PTO if they haven't for a while for their mental health, but the majority of people here have hardly any rights in the workplace, especially when it comes to scheduling and time off.
Load More Replies... User# 6 3 years ago
Ah, all stories from 'the land of the free' How some of them delude themselves that they live in the greatest country in the world is beyond me.
Gwyn 3 years ago
Most of us know. It's not a real democracy anymore, rule by minority.
Load More Replies... Torsten 3 years ago
To put this even more in perspective: In Germany there might be works agreements or establishment agreements for all employees in a company (parallel to individual employment contracts) which regulate *additional* days off, e.g. 2 days for your marriage, 1 day for your childen's marriage, 1 day for work related moving, ... . And yes: this is *on top* of the potential sick days and the 25-30 vacation days.
Scotira 3 years ago
True. So we shouldn't forget the workers in preceding generations fought for those rights we have now.
Load More Replies... Tigerpacingthecage 3 years ago
These people accept a lot more than I would have. Maybe it's because I'm in Europe with some regulations I guess (even though shitty employers exist here too, no doubt) but I don't tolerate any of this anymore. Respect and loyalty goes both ways. You spend a lot of your time working - don't waste that time on someone who treats you like trash and don't hold up to agreements. You can always find another job but with some events in life you will never have another chance.
Jaden Alexander 3 years ago
One night I wasn't feeling so hot so I told my roommate that I was taking a cab to the hospital to get checked out. It was 1am and we both had to be at work at 6:30am - same company, different departments. When I got to the hospital what I thought was a breathing problem was a heart attack problem. That's a story for another time though. A few hours, and 5 stents later, I call my roommate to give him the lowdown and tell him to let the boss know what's up and that I wouldn't be in. At 7:05am, the boss called my phone (landline) and left a message saying that the roomie told him that I wouldn't be in and I needed to call him and tell him what time I'd be in.
KimB 3 years ago
Haha I work for a group of cardiologists one told me a story similar to yours they were wheeling a patient from the ER to the cath lab having a heart attack. Patient cell phone rings he answers it's his boss he was telling the boss what was happening and the boss kept asking when the patient would be at work...the cardiologist took the phone and said he needed to stabilize him and stop the heart attack before a return to work conversation (basically saying back off!)...the boss understood lol
Load More Replies... Bi-Polar Express 3 years ago
On the other hand, I started work about 7 months pregnant with my second child. Schools were year round and on tracks back then (3/4 of the kids on 1/4 off. So you'd go 3 months then have a month off. One of the four was always off and kept from being overcrowded when they didn't have the money to build more schools. Not on that anymore!) and HR just asked when I was due and showed me the best track to be on based on my due date, I'd take paid time off and still have a month off after that. I've been in this school district for 25 years.
Gwyn 3 years ago (edited)
I'm glad that a lot of these people were just like, I'm taking the time off, you figure it out, and had no repercussions. But some folks live in such poverty that they can't take the risk of being fired, they work in a place where they can be replaced quickly and easily, so they can't do anything about it. We need better benefits, better laws and better enforcement.
LynzCatastrophe 3 years ago
I had booked my measly 4 days off in May for my birthday at the start of the year, knowing it was a long weekend and I needed to be approved in advance. I was approved no problem. Then the week before my vacation head office made a huge mistake and decided restructuring was needed, employees were transferred between different locations. Because many people choose their home store based on how close it was to their own home, there were a lot of people quitting suddenly. I was planning to quit too because I wasn't happy with it either, but I wanted a new job before quitting. The day before my vacation, my DM told me my vacation days were denied and I have to cancel because they couldn't find coverage. I already had coverage in advance from my coworker who jumped at extra hours. My DM couldn't cover me because she was covering another manager at a different location, one she was good friends with who had told me two weeks prior she wasn't doing anything for that weekend.
LynzCatastrophe 3 years ago
I had everything booked and paid for. I told her no. She told me "you're going to be close by (3 hours away), you can make it. Seriously?! I walked to the back, grabbed my stuff, handed her my keys and said "this location should be shut down", and walked out. It should have been, it was a bad neighborhood, had too many days in a row with no sales. It did get shut down.
Load More Replies... Carneirinha87 3 years ago
My situation was in England. Not as bad as these, and I already shared it a couple of times, but I think I can share again. I worked for a very well known toy company for 6 years. As you can imagine, Christmas was our busiest time so it was very hard to take time off during that time. A couple of months before they're ask us to request time off during that time so they could choose. I never asked for holidays during that time as I knew it would be hard to get but me and my boyfriend won some money to spend on holidays from the McDonald's Monopoly competition so we booked for Christmas and New Year's. Not a lot of time, from the 22nd Dec until the 6th Jan, so not that long. I even explained why we booked it and pointed out that I never asked for this time off. They said no. Oh well, I was already tired of working in a place where we were not taken seriously (customer service) and treated as completely dispensable and getting anxiety attacks so I quit. 1/2
Carneirinha87 3 years ago
My immediate boss said I could appeal with the big boss but I shouldn't be begging when I did so much for the company. My last day was the day of the Christmas party which was brilliant. In February I went to an interview and got the job, started the next day. I earn more, need to know a lot less, not stressful at all, I don't have kids and entitled parents complaining all the time, and the company is paying for my studies. All in all, a win-win situation. Still a bit sad I left as I loved the company but the environment wasn't great.
Load More Replies... Micah 3 years ago
Nothing as serious as the situations above. When I used to work for a supermarket, I often worked late and closed on Sundays. I requested to work early or be off for the Super Bowl. Outside of America, it's better known as the "Superb Owl." When we got our schedule, the manager once again put me to work late and had her friends working early. I went up to her and said "I requested off well in advance. There is no reason why they [her friends] can't work late on Sunday, plus they don't even watch football. You can either switch me to work early, or I won't come in." She switched me to work early. There's a whole history of nepotism and other types of favoritism that caused me to have that reaction.
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