'They still scheduled me': Employer refuses to honor new worker's negotiated leave, refusing to remove them from the schedule

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Aug 29, 2023 12:00 PM EDT

Usually, when we negotiate leave dates when starting a new job, we'd expect those dates to be honored—not thrown to the wayside as soon as we're locked into our employment. After all, that's all part of the bargaining process, and once a bargain is struck, every agreed-upon detail becomes the foundation for the rest of the relationship.

This worker shared how their extended family goes on a trip every year, this time with a significant personal reason motivating the trip, and they've already booked their vacation. Despite being informed multiple times beforehand, including during the interview process, the worker's job scheduled them to work during this week, with their boss refusing to accommodate their request to change the schedule or organize a switch shifts. 

Understandably frustrated, as they had been looking forward to their vacation plans for almost a year, the worker shared their experience with this popular online workplace community, describing the predicament they found themselves in. Readers shared their advice and thoughts in the comments, surmising that the company had hired the worker and agreed to their vacation to quickly fill the role, likely hoping at that time that they would be able to strong-arm them out of it later. 

See a selection of the discussion along with the original post below.

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  • 01
    Lighthouse
    via Kyle Calhoun
  • 02
    Font - Told employer about pre- planned vacation before they hired me. Reminded them a few times, and they still scheduled me for that week Companies My family and I go to Nags head, the 2nd week of august every year. This year is significant because my extended family is coming, and we're spreading my uncles ashes. I've never had a problem with a job telling me no. ▶
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560
  • 03
    Font - I started my job a few months ago, and told them about my vacation before they hired me. I reminded both my supervisor and the guy who does she scheduling, multiple times. I mean once a week for a few weeks. We got our schedules on Sunday, and they scheduled me that week. We work 12 hour shifts. They usually schedule us 3 12s in a row...for that week, they scheduled me, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. They NEVER do that.
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560
  • 04
    Font - So I bring this up with my boss. I reminded him, that he said it would be no problem when hiring me, and the subsequent weeks after. He said "Well, you're already on the schedule. There's nothing I can do" So now I'm screwed. If you switch a shift with someone, you have to make it up that same week. So I can't switch a shift with someone, and make it up the following week I'm so angry. I've had my deposit down on the house for almost a year. I've had my plane ticket for months
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560
  • 05
    Font - colormeslowly It appears they've hired you out of desperation, now they're expecting you to stay out of desperation. It was a foul thing for them to do but now it's up to you to go on vacation and expect to not have a job upon your return OR work the shift. Either way, you need to look for another job. They don't deserve your loyalty. Now here's the thing as well, if you allow them to do this sh*tty thing to you, what else do they have in store for you? Reply Share 878
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560
  • 06
    Font - Aspen Pass "Well, as I mentioned, I've already paid for my vacation, there's nothing I can do. Let me know if you'd like me to return to work once I'm back in town." www 1.9k Reply Share 748 rtdragon123 Exactly. If you let them walk over you now it will continue. Stick to your guns. Reply Share ... +1
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560
  • 07
    Font - huskerdev +2 Keep this quote in mind.... 20 years from now, the only people who will remember you skipped vacation to work are your family. 223 Reply Share
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560
  • 08
    Font - squirrel-phone +1 No, it was previously agreed to. If this person made the schedule, they made the mistake. The problem is on their end, not yours. Take your email to HR. 79 Reply Share
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560
  • 09
    Font - squirrelpotpie +2. my extended family is coming, and we're spreading my uncles ashes This is a bereavement trip. Tell HR, in writing, that your boss appears to be reneging on a bereavement leave that was discussed on <date>, agreed upon as a condition of hire, and had verbal reminders on <date>, <date>, and <date>, and written reminders on <date> and <date>.
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560
  • 10
    Font - Explain you will not be canceling the funeral trip. Your position is there was a scheduling error that should be corrected, and you will see them again for work on <date> as previously agreed. You're not asking, you're telling. They can do what they want with that, up to and including firing you, so be prepared for that. But you make them do it, and make sure HR knows exactly why they are having to fill out that paperwork and re- start the hiring process.
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560
  • 11
    Font - No sensible business thinks it's better to suffer negative reviews in the job market, go back to recruiting, and suffer increased unemployment program taxes, all while overworking a team of people who now know their coworker was fired for attending a close family funeral, over just a few days of work. I don't know where you are, but there may be state law involving bereavement leave that they cannot cross. If they fire you, collect unemployment at their expense.
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560
  • 12
    Font - New job, regardless. From the details you gave, it sounds like your boss is doing this just to feel powerful. I seriously doubt they are unable to fix the schedule, but regardless, this IS a scheduling error, and it is HIS fault, and HIS problem to fix. Not yours. 417 Reply Share ●●● slash_networkboy Also if they terminate you lambast them on glassdoor for it. 4101 Reply Share
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560
  • 13
    Rectangle - Comprehensive-Art776 Take the vacation. NO job is worth it. Only one life to live. Memories and moments you will never get back. 263 Reply Share
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560
  • 14
    Font - Mojojojo3030 +4 No guaranteed results, but you have the best odds by taking a strong hand here. "As I said, I'm unavailable this week. I will not be here for these shifts." Don't JADE just tell. Reasonable chance they accept they blew it and back down. Strong chance they are just seeing what they can get away with with you. Reply Share 52
    via u/Senior-Buffalo-3560

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