Taking time off, can boss say no?

[Anonymous]

Ask before you have to pay. Why can't you ask now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ask before you have to pay. Why can't you ask now?

I am waiting on a response now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be ridiculous (and illegal) for you to be denied any vacation at all. Is there some reason you think this request won't be allowed? Ask now so it can get on the schedule before it interferes with any projects.

Umm...not illegal. Every place I've ever worked states that leave must be approved in advance.

Yes BUT. An employer does eventually have to let you use your earned vacation. They don't have to offer Vacation but if they do, it is a part of your compensation.

http://www.gordonllp.com/employers-can-not-deny-employees-their-earned-vacation/

If the employer has a pattern of not approving earned vacation with no reasonable justification like a big project or meeting or something, I think that they could be held liable for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It would be ridiculous (and illegal) for you to be denied any vacation at all. Is there some reason you think this request won't be allowed? Ask now so it can get on the schedule before it interferes with any projects.

Umm...not illegal. Every place I've ever worked states that leave must be approved in advance.

Yes BUT. An employer does eventually have to let you use your earned vacation. They don't have to offer Vacation but if they do, it is a part of your compensation.

http://www.gordonllp.com/employers-can-not-deny-employees-their-earned-vacation/

If the employer has a pattern of not approving earned vacation with no reasonable justification like a big project or meeting or something, I think that they could be held liable for that.

The case highlighted in the article you provided involved payout for unused vacation days at termination. That is an entirely different issue and something that varies somewhat by state.

There is nothing illegal about an employer not allowing an employee to take a vacation at a certain time, nor would it be illegal for an employer to say that vacation had to be used at a certain time (such as the summer) as long as it was clearly outlined in the policies.

[Anonymous]

Does your contract say you *have* to take your vacation in the summer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Does your contract say you *have* to take your vacation in the summer?

No although it is preferred.

[Anonymous]

So you are only contracted for 12 months--9 of which school is actually in session--and you want to take your vacation for an entire week while school is in session? I'm guessing your boss is going to be a little irritated. Why can't you wait until summer? I mean you have 3 months available...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you are only contracted for 12 months--9 of which school is actually in session--and you want to take your vacation for an entire week while school is in session? I'm guessing your boss is going to be a little irritated. Why can't you wait until summer? I mean you have 3 months available...

$$$ I am not a teacher so no subs would be needed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you are only contracted for 12 months--9 of which school is actually in session--and you want to take your vacation for an entire week while school is in session? I'm guessing your boss is going to be a little irritated. Why can't you wait until summer? I mean you have 3 months available...

$$$ I am not a teacher so no subs would be needed.

I felt the need to add to this. I don't get winter break or spring break, if I want off during that time I have to use leave. Summer would make my trip more expensive. I feel like if they only want me to vacation in the summer they should make me a 10 month employee like others. There's nothing major going on while I'm gone. I thought about going during spring break but again the price is ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you are only contracted for 12 months--9 of which school is actually in session--and you want to take your vacation for an entire week while school is in session? I'm guessing your boss is going to be a little irritated. Why can't you wait until summer? I mean you have 3 months available...

$$$ I am not a teacher so no subs would be needed.

I felt the need to add to this. I don't get winter break or spring break, if I want off during that time I have to use leave. Summer would make my trip more expensive. I feel like if they only want me to vacation in the summer they should make me a 10 month employee like others. There's nothing major going on while I'm gone. I thought about going during spring break but again the price is ridiculous.

Why wouldn't you? Teachers and school staff don't actually get paid for breaks. You should be able to use your leave when you want though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you are only contracted for 12 months--9 of which school is actually in session--and you want to take your vacation for an entire week while school is in session? I'm guessing your boss is going to be a little irritated. Why can't you wait until summer? I mean you have 3 months available...

$$$ I am not a teacher so no subs would be needed.

I felt the need to add to this. I don't get winter break or spring break, if I want off during that time I have to use leave. Summer would make my trip more expensive. I feel like if they only want me to vacation in the summer they should make me a 10 month employee like others. There's nothing major going on while I'm gone. I thought about going during spring break but again the price is ridiculous.

Why wouldn't you? Teachers and school staff don't actually get paid for breaks. You should be able to use your leave when you want though.

Some schools allow 12 month staff to have this time off without using their leave. I worked this time period at my last job, but was also allowed to have off when I wanted as long as I had a back up plan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all of the replies. I have asked and not heard a response yet. I think my supervisor would prefer that I take vacation during the summer when students are out. I am mostly anxious about it because I've never asked for this length of time off at this job. At my last job I had no issues taking a week off for family vacation. I chose a week where not much of anything was happening, so my absence wouldn't be noticed. I really just don't want to wait until July or August to go on vacation.

Do you work with students? In that case, it might be an issue. It sounds like a random vacation you'd like to take because it's cheaper now. I've seen principals make exceptions when it's an international family wedding/funeral, etc. but just because? I don't know...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for all of the replies. I have asked and not heard a response yet. I think my supervisor would prefer that I take vacation during the summer when students are out. I am mostly anxious about it because I've never asked for this length of time off at this job. At my last job I had no issues taking a week off for family vacation. I chose a week where not much of anything was happening, so my absence wouldn't be noticed. I really just don't want to wait until July or August to go on vacation.

Do you work with students? In that case, it might be an issue. It sounds like a random vacation you'd like to take because it's cheaper now. I've seen principals make exceptions when it's an international family wedding/funeral, etc. but just because? I don't know...

No, not really. I interact with them occasionally.

[Anonymous]

OP your boss can definitely deny a leave request if it's not at a convenient time. How long ago did you out the request in? I don't think it's a big deal to gently remind your boss about it (assuming it's been a week or so) and ask when you might expect to hear back.

I also think that you should prepare a vacation plan since it's while school is in session. How will the work move forward while you're out? What will you do in advance to assure this? Etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP your boss can definitely deny a leave request if it's not at a convenient time. How long ago did you out the request in? I don't think it's a big deal to gently remind your boss about it (assuming it's been a week or so) and ask when you might expect to hear back.

I also think that you should prepare a vacation plan since it's while school is in session. How will the work move forward while you're out? What will you do in advance to assure this? Etc.

It will be a week this week so I'll gently remind that I need an answer. I already have a plan for my absence since my job is not critical to the everyday functioning (they've had to unexpectedly cover twice due to a cold).