Is it rude to take 10 day vacations as an employee requiring backup coverage for work duties?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is all so foreign to me. I’m a teacher so rarely take leave during the contract year. DH is a law firm partner, so doesn’t even track his leave because he’s still responsible for his client matters and typically works on vacation, even if it’s just to check email/texts and delegate specific tasks to others. Some times he has to work a lot on vacation, other times just a little each day.

I’m also a teacher. I used to save all of my leave, figuring it reflects poorly on me to leave my students. I’ve since changed my mind. I have leave and it’s there for me to use. I only get one trip on this planet and work can’t be more important than living.

The responses on this thread almost unanimously say to take the leave. That should apply to teachers, as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all so foreign to me. I’m a teacher so rarely take leave during the contract year. DH is a law firm partner, so doesn’t even track his leave because he’s still responsible for his client matters and typically works on vacation, even if it’s just to check email/texts and delegate specific tasks to others. Some times he has to work a lot on vacation, other times just a little each day.

I’m also a teacher. I used to save all of my leave, figuring it reflects poorly on me to leave my students. I’ve since changed my mind. I have leave and it’s there for me to use. I only get one trip on this planet and work can’t be more important than living.

The responses on this thread almost unanimously say to take the leave. That should apply to teachers, as well.

I agree teachers should take leave but I think classes should be regularly team taught so as to accommodate this, rather than bringing in a sub like they do now. Just like my office job is done by my teammates while I'm out, not by a random temp.

[Anonymous]

If you rarely take vacation time like this, it's ok and do it.

My colleague took 3 weeks off in June. He is working 3 weeks this month in July, and then he is taking another 3 weeks off from end of July to August. This is during a time our department is already short-staffed. THAT is being inconsiderate and an a$$.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is the most American question ever.

It's and american site, with american questions.

This is a DC based site. Several international organizations with international employees in the DC area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all so foreign to me. I’m a teacher so rarely take leave during the contract year. DH is a law firm partner, so doesn’t even track his leave because he’s still responsible for his client matters and typically works on vacation, even if it’s just to check email/texts and delegate specific tasks to others. Some times he has to work a lot on vacation, other times just a little each day.

I’m also a teacher. I used to save all of my leave, figuring it reflects poorly on me to leave my students. I’ve since changed my mind. I have leave and it’s there for me to use. I only get one trip on this planet and work can’t be more important than living.

The responses on this thread almost unanimously say to take the leave. That should apply to teachers, as well.

Teachers get weeks/ months off in the summer and vacations in the school year. If it’s a medical reason sure or a day here or there but to take 1-2 weeks off during the school year would make me question a teacher (and my entire in -law family are public school teachers or administrators all of them. The one who pulls this kind of stuff we can’t stand).

It’s different because you get leave! You get a week at the end of the year and either a spring break or if you’re in New England a break in Feb and April. Plus weeks in the summer!

My son had a teacher who took off a week in connection with spring break so 2 weeks after her wedding for her honeymoon. We all understood! But the sub did an awful job and they were basically behind when the teacher came back. The other class had a teacher who was out for 2 months and that sub again didn’t do a good job and every child was behind in math and reading.

[Anonymous]

I think it depends on the role. Europe is different.

In my company it would be looked down upon unless it was some kind of emergency because most areas need coverage.

I had a team mate take 2.5 weeks off and then they came back and a week later I was taking 2 weeks off. I haven’t taken 2 weeks off in many years but I have all this banked time! They are my deputy and knew they needed to be there when I was gone/ my OOO person. They ended up taking 4 days when I was away. Not because they were sick either. It caused a huge issue and I was disrupted in my vacation. So inconsiderate.

When I came back we talked again about how we need coverage and if they needed to take those days we needed to discuss before I left so that someone else could be the contact person. This also isn’t the first time this has happened, I left and they thought no one would notice! Anyway, this person wants a promotion and won’t be getting one.

So I think you can’t spring it on your boss and need to ok with them and find someone else who is the point person if there is a huge issue. But again I work in America and Europe is different.

[Anonymous]

This is the reason managers have a job - to make things like this work. Take your leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is all so foreign to me. I’m a teacher so rarely take leave during the contract year. DH is a law firm partner, so doesn’t even track his leave because he’s still responsible for his client matters and typically works on vacation, even if it’s just to check email/texts and delegate specific tasks to others. Some times he has to work a lot on vacation, other times just a little each day.

I’m also a teacher. I used to save all of my leave, figuring it reflects poorly on me to leave my students. I’ve since changed my mind. I have leave and it’s there for me to use. I only get one trip on this planet and work can’t be more important than living.

The responses on this thread almost unanimously say to take the leave. That should apply to teachers, as well.

Teachers get weeks/ months off in the summer and vacations in the school year. If it’s a medical reason sure or a day here or there but to take 1-2 weeks off during the school year would make me question a teacher (and my entire in -law family are public school teachers or administrators all of them. The one who pulls this kind of stuff we can’t stand).

It’s different because you get leave! You get a week at the end of the year and either a spring break or if you’re in New England a break in Feb and April. Plus weeks in the summer!

My son had a teacher who took off a week in connection with spring break so 2 weeks after her wedding for her honeymoon. We all understood! But the sub did an awful job and they were basically behind when the teacher came back. The other class had a teacher who was out for 2 months and that sub again didn’t do a good job and every child was behind in math and reading.

I’m the PP. We’re going to have to disagree on this.

Teaching is a job, just like any other. I didn’t give away my life when I signed my contract. My family and my health are always going to be more important than my job. It should be that way for you, and it should be that way for me.

Yes, I have an ***unpaid*** summer of 8 weeks, most of which I use to take the coursework I need to maintain my certification. It’s also the time I use for most of my own appointments and procedures because it’s difficult to take leave as a teacher. It’s a DCUM misconception that summers are lazy, paid months for teachers.

If an opportunity comes up to LIVE — visiting a family member from far away, seeing my child off to college, or taking the once in a lifetime vacation… I’m doing it without hesitation.

I reject the idea that saying teaching is a “calling” or a “vocation” means that we are held to different standards than other professionals. And I reject the idea I’m somehow a “bad teacher” because I don’t put my students before my family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on the role. Europe is different.

In my company it would be looked down upon unless it was some kind of emergency because most areas need coverage.

I had a team mate take 2.5 weeks off and then they came back and a week later I was taking 2 weeks off. I haven’t taken 2 weeks off in many years but I have all this banked time! They are my deputy and knew they needed to be there when I was gone/ my OOO person. They ended up taking 4 days when I was away. Not because they were sick either. It caused a huge issue and I was disrupted in my vacation. So inconsiderate.

When I came back we talked again about how we need coverage and if they needed to take those days we needed to discuss before I left so that someone else could be the contact person. This also isn’t the first time this has happened, I left and they thought no one would notice! Anyway, this person wants a promotion and won’t be getting one.

So I think you can’t spring it on your boss and need to ok with them and find someone else who is the point person if there is a huge issue. But again I work in America and Europe is different.

Don’t give them leave then or higher more people. Don’t blame the employee with leave to use.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it depends on the role. Europe is different.

In my company it would be looked down upon unless it was some kind of emergency because most areas need coverage.

I had a team mate take 2.5 weeks off and then they came back and a week later I was taking 2 weeks off. I haven’t taken 2 weeks off in many years but I have all this banked time! They are my deputy and knew they needed to be there when I was gone/ my OOO person. They ended up taking 4 days when I was away. Not because they were sick either. It caused a huge issue and I was disrupted in my vacation. So inconsiderate.

When I came back we talked again about how we need coverage and if they needed to take those days we needed to discuss before I left so that someone else could be the contact person. This also isn’t the first time this has happened, I left and they thought no one would notice! Anyway, this person wants a promotion and won’t be getting one.

So I think you can’t spring it on your boss and need to ok with them and find someone else who is the point person if there is a huge issue. But again I work in America and Europe is different.

Don’t give them leave then or higher more people. Don’t blame the employee with leave to use.

And yes I know it should be hire.

[Anonymous]

Wow. I take a 10-14 day vacation every year. I cover for others when they do the same. I would not have thought for a minute that I should not take leave I am entitled to and earned because others in my office would have to do for me what I do for them. The concept strikes me as bizarre.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you rarely take vacation time like this, it's ok and do it.

My colleague took 3 weeks off in June. He is working 3 weeks this month in July, and then he is taking another 3 weeks off from end of July to August. This is during a time our department is already short-staffed. THAT is being inconsiderate and an a$$.

So what exactly is your colleague supposed to do, not take off?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you rarely take vacation time like this, it's ok and do it.

My colleague took 3 weeks off in June. He is working 3 weeks this month in July, and then he is taking another 3 weeks off from end of July to August. This is during a time our department is already short-staffed. THAT is being inconsiderate and an a$$.

Nope. Not inconsiderate. Using the time he is legally allowed. You’re being a petty b**** for shaming someone adhering to company policy.

[Anonymous]

I am married to a teacher and agree that it's a different situation than an employee with a 52-week work schedule and PTO bank. He just has a lot more time off than I do built into the calendar already. The tradeoff is that he can't take a random 2 weeks off in October...but he gets more than 2 weeks *without having to ask or arrange coverage* over winter break and summer; plus another week for spring break. I could use up my whole PTO bank, including time I've carried over from previous years, and I'd still have less time than he does in one year.

Yes, it's "unpaid" time off insofar as the contract is for X days, but when it's paid out over 12 months and the benefits continue, it's not actually like you're unemployed during breaks. And yes, it would be nice to have more flexibility to take off for appointments and other personal/family needs as they come up throughout the year. But I don't think it's reasonable for teachers to say they should be able to take 2 consecutive weeks off *any time* of year when the breaks are built in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am married to a teacher and agree that it's a different situation than an employee with a 52-week work schedule and PTO bank. He just has a lot more time off than I do built into the calendar already. The tradeoff is that he can't take a random 2 weeks off in October...but he gets more than 2 weeks *without having to ask or arrange coverage* over winter break and summer; plus another week for spring break. I could use up my whole PTO bank, including time I've carried over from previous years, and I'd still have less time than he does in one year.

Yes, it's "unpaid" time off insofar as the contract is for X days, but when it's paid out over 12 months and the benefits continue, it's not actually like you're unemployed during breaks. And yes, it would be nice to have more flexibility to take off for appointments and other personal/family needs as they come up throughout the year. But I don't think it's reasonable for teachers to say they should be able to take 2 consecutive weeks off *any time* of year when the breaks are built in.

Teachers shouldn’t have to turn down once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. My colleague had the chance to go to Spain recently for a family reunion, one uniting her entire family from multiple countries for the first time ever. Should she have skipped it, or should she have put her life first? I missed a few days last year to drive my first born to college. Should I have skipped it, or should I have placed my family first?

Sometimes the big moments in life don’t happen during the convenient summer months. And at a time when we have a severe teacher shortage, perhaps we should consider what we can do to keep them. Seeing them as humans and not mere teachers would help.