Is it bad to go on 2 weeks vacation?

[Anonymous]

I have a weeks paid of vacation a year and I get to choose when to take it. However, this year I want to go for 2 weeks to visit my family in Guatemala. Since we only agreed on one weeks paid vacation is it rude to ask for two weeks? I know I’ll only get paid for one week, but is it bad to take two weeks? I plan to go in December so I can help them find a babysitter for these two weeks while I’m gone. It’s only May so I can definitely help them find back up care. Has anyone else request for more vacation time?how should I approach the situation?

[Anonymous]

No
You have every right to visit your parents. Considering the distance, I would take three weeks off.

[Anonymous]

I think you’re going about it the right way! You’re planning way, way ahead and you’re offering to find them back-up care. There’s plenty of time to work things out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No
You have every right to visit your parents. Considering the distance, I would take three weeks off.

Right, and her bosses have every right to say "We only give you one week off. We will not hold your job for more than that one week. If you chose to go for three, you are effectively quitting your job."

[Anonymous]

I only need only 2 weeks. I don’t expect to get paid for the second week of course. And I am not asking them to hold my job. I am going to help them find another nanny or sitter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
Right, and her bosses have every right to say "We only give you one week off. We will not hold your job for more than that one week. If you chose to go for three, you are effectively quitting your job."

If she offers to find back-up care and they approve of the person, what’s the big deal?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Right, and her bosses have every right to say "We only give you one week off. We will not hold your job for more than that one week. If you chose to go for three, you are effectively quitting your job."

If she offers to find back-up care and they approve of the person, what’s the big deal?

Op here. I know many nannies and babysitters who can offer back up care and they also have a pool of about 2-3 people to choose from so I’m definitely going to suggest to them that they can find someone they like or I can also help find back up. I just don’t want them to feel like I’m abandoning them and like I don’t care about them. I just also really want to go on vacation

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Right, and her bosses have every right to say "We only give you one week off. We will not hold your job for more than that one week. If you chose to go for three, you are effectively quitting your job."

If she offers to find back-up care and they approve of the person, what’s the big deal?

Op here. I know many nannies and babysitters who can offer back up care and they also have a pool of about 2-3 people to choose from so I’m definitely going to suggest to them that they can find someone they like or I can also help find back up. I just don’t want them to feel like I’m abandoning them and like I don’t care about them. I just also really want to go on vacation

You’re definitely not abandoning them! You’re handling this very responsibly by talking it through with them and offering options many, many months in advance. That other person was just being an ass unnecessarily. One week off a year is not much, either, so I don’t blame you for seeking an extension, especially for such a big trip!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Right, and her bosses have every right to say "We only give you one week off. We will not hold your job for more than that one week. If you chose to go for three, you are effectively quitting your job."

If she offers to find back-up care and they approve of the person, what’s the big deal?

Op here. I know many nannies and babysitters who can offer back up care and they also have a pool of about 2-3 people to choose from so I’m definitely going to suggest to them that they can find someone they like or I can also help find back up. I just don’t want them to feel like I’m abandoning them and like I don’t care about them. I just also really want to go on vacation

You’re definitely not abandoning them! You’re handling this very responsibly by talking it through with them and offering options many, many months in advance. That other person was just being an ass unnecessarily. One week off a year is not much, either, so I don’t blame you for seeking an extension, especially for such a big trip!

Yes, you’re right. I just want to help them find the right person to fill in for me.

[Anonymous]

Do you only get one week, period, or one week of your choice and one of theirs? If the latter, I'd let them know you plan to go and ask them when they plan to take their week so that you can coordinate (unless you specifically want/need to go in December).

[Anonymous]

Op here and I get one weeks paid vacation only. They go out of town over summer. I do not travel to Guatemala over the summer because it is full of rain and storms!!!

[Anonymous]

So it sounds like you get one week of your choosing plus you are free the weeks they take off? That may be a problem because their vacation time is limited.

Your contract says one week (which they have to take off from work to cover) and they also take off time in the summer (1-2 weeks). In my opinion, you shouldn't have agreed to this contract if you planned to take 2 weeks of your choosing, especially together. They may not be able to accommodate this. It depends on how flexible they are, what their back-up availability is, how long you have been with them and how your performance has been otherwise. Are you prompt, never sick, any other issues? For what it's worth, having to find/use back-up coverage is a big deal. It's disruptive, the back-up people don't know the kids' routine, might not be trustworthy or reliable or good with the kids. People don't hire nannies because they want a revolving door with random nannies/sitters coming through it. That's why nannies can get the money and the benefits that are common in this area. That said, if this is your first year with them, you are on shaky ground. If your performance isn't stellar, it's a good juncture for them to hire someone new. On the other hand, if you are a rock star, they'll probably try to work with you to accommodate your request. Likewise, if you have been with them for 3+ years, I'm sure they'll accommodate if they can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So it sounds like you get one week of your choosing plus you are free the weeks they take off? That may be a problem because their vacation time is limited.

Your contract says one week (which they have to take off from work to cover) and they also take off time in the summer (1-2 weeks). In my opinion, you shouldn't have agreed to this contract if you planned to take 2 weeks of your choosing, especially together. They may not be able to accommodate this. It depends on how flexible they are, what their back-up availability is, how long you have been with them and how your performance has been otherwise. Are you prompt, never sick, any other issues? For what it's worth, having to find/use back-up coverage is a big deal. It's disruptive, the back-up people don't know the kids' routine, might not be trustworthy or reliable or good with the kids. People don't hire nannies because they want a revolving door with random nannies/sitters coming through it. That's why nannies can get the money and the benefits that are common in this area. That said, if this is your first year with them, you are on shaky ground. If your performance isn't stellar, it's a good juncture for them to hire someone new. On the other hand, if you are a rock star, they'll probably try to work with you to accommodate your request. Likewise, if you have been with them for 3+ years, I'm sure they'll accommodate if they can.

She’s not going until December. That’s plenty of time to find a trustworthy back-up that the parents approve of. She can even teach them the routine and let them get to know the kids with this amount of time! I feel like you didn’t even read the whole thread.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do it this year, OP. We sign contracts for a reason and expect our employers to honor the terms agreed to so we should as well. Wait until next year and ask for two weeks vacation.

[Anonymous]

^ She’s not even asking to get paid for the second week and she’s providing them alternate care options! There is such thing as a compromise. It can’t hurt to ask, especially since it seems like this situation would work out fine!

I swear this person didn’t read the entire thread, either.