'Approve my 1-week PTO or accept my 2-week notice': IT guy denied PTO request until after he trains his nepo baby boss, employee gives ultimatum

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Aug 13, 2023 8:00 AM EDT

There are some ridiculous demands that employees simply should not have to put up with at work. For instance, if you are guaranteed a certain amount of vacation days, there shouldn't be any sort of "quid pro quo" agreement involved. If those days are guaranteed per the employee's contract, there should be no negotiation whatsoever. 

 

This Redditor shared a story about how his new boss, who just so happens to be the CEO's cousin, refused to grant his week of PTO until after the employee trains him on all things IT. For those of you who didn't know (myself included), what the boss was requesting to learn was about ten years' worth of IT knowledge. In other words, it's simply not something that could be covered quickly before this guy's PTO. The employee thought about this "ultimatum" and decided to give his own. He requested that his boss approve the week of PTO or accept his two weeks' notice. Before long, the IT guy was called into the CEO's office to discuss the situation. The employee stood his ground but has yet to hear anything from management. Meanwhile, the start of his PTO is only a few days away. We'll keep you all posted if there's an update.

 

For more stories like this, here is one about an employee whose boss announced their departure from the company when the employee was not, in fact, leaving.

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  • 01
    Output device - "I returned to his office with a 2-week notice, placed it on his desk, and walked out."
    via Glenn Carstens-Peters
  • 02
    Font - Boss asked me to train him before I go on vacation I've been working as an Information Systems Manager for a small company with around 45 employees for the past 12 years. Although I've requested promotions and pay raises every year, they've been consistently declined. My responsibilities are extensive, including major decision-making in information technology, software projects, implementations, cybersecurity, audits, compliance, network and firewall management, IT assets,
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 03
    Font - and so on. While most of our general help desk issues are outsourced to a service provider, I do assist with them when I can, depending on their complexity, so we don't always have to outsource typical IT work if it's not necessary.
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 04
    Font - Recently, the company underwent structural changes, and I began reporting to the Chief Admin. Interestingly, the Chief Admin, who was hired at the same time as me, quickly climbed the ranks within the company. Anyway, a couple weeks ago, I submitted a request for a 1-week time off, which required his approval. He responded that he couldn't approve my time off until we figured out coverage details for my absence. In all my 12 years, this is the first time they are worried about coverage.
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 05
    Font - He asked me to document all my responsibilities and create a knowledge base, then train him on how to do my job. This would include fixing common computer and network issues, resolving malware/virus problems, connecting to servers, handling SaaS and application issues, dealing with cybersecurity, network configs, etc.
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 06
    Font - Taken aback, I told him that teaching him a decade's worth of IT knowledge wasn't feasible. He insisted, pointing out that I was self-taught, so I should be able to teach him. I tried to explain that IT doesn't work that way, suggesting instead that he contact our service provider in case of an IT emergency. And if it's not urgent,
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 07
    Font - they can leave it and I can return to fix it. He countered that the service providers take too long to respond and insisted I train him or someone else. I continued to object, detailing the complexities involved in IT duties, but he persisted, saying, "We don't need to be trained on everything; we only need to know if something goes wrong, how do we fix it?" Frustrated, I finally agreed to see what I could do, to which he responded, "Great, I'll sign off on your PTO once our training is d
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 08
    Font - An hour later, I returned to his office with a 2-week notice, placed it on his desk, and walked out. The following day, I was called into a meeting with the Chief Admin and the CEO to discuss this "matter." During the meeting, I learned that the CEO and CAO are cousins, seems clear whose side the CEO was on at that point. They did all the talking, and I simply presented two options: approve my 1-week PTO or accept my 2- week notice. I then excused myself from the meeting.
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 09
    Font - It's now three days closer to my scheduled PTO, and I have yet to hear a decision from them on either option. I'm not playing their stupid games. I think I'll just quit.
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 10
    Font - EthereumFuture 21 hr. ago When you leave, dont forget to point out that since you were self- taught, he should be able to self teach it himself in no time 2.0k Reply Share
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 11
    Font - dubiousN 11 hr. ago More like the "Chief Admin" should know this already 4 322 Reply Share
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 12
    Font - 7dayweekendgirl. 22 hr. ago Good idea. Then when they call desperate for help, charge them $500 per hour as a contractor. 42.1k Reply Share
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 13
    Font - Mtndrums 21 hr. ago Paid in 8 hour blocks in advance. 700 Reply Share
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 14
    Font - Eladiun 21 hr. ago Honestly no raise or promotion for 12 years in IT. It's about time you stopped being their whipping boy. You missed out 30 to 50 grand in comp increases easily if you had jumped around every 2.5 years 623 Reply Share
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 15
    Font - Survive1014- 21 hr. ago In reality he wanted you to "train" him because he wants to be able to terminate you down the road. ALWAYS, and I mean ALWAYS, immediately start job hunting when management asks you to fill them in on your work duties. It is almost always a sign of pending job trouble or unemployment. 1.1k Reply Share
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 16
    Rectangle - MyLadyBits 21 hr. ago Take your pto. They can only fire you. 134 3 Reply Share
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 17
    Font - dsdvbguutres 20 hr. ago You're probably too good at your job, you're making it look easy. Boss thinks you're not doing anything. Offer your boss to shadow you for a day and bring a notebook to take notes. Boss will be frustrated with having to do actual work and get distracted by the next shiny object in about 15 minutes anyway. 198 Reply Share
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 18
    Font - Best-Structure62 21 hr. ago Why have you hung around for 12 years if they have been denying a pay raise and promotions? And now there is this bull: !?! Be your own best friend and get yourself a job that pays what you are worth.
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 19
    Font - Ima-Bott 21 hr. ago Don't quit. Take your PTO and enjoy it. (Take irreplaceable desk trinkets). Show back up for work and start job hunting on their dime. B 112 Reply Share
    via u/StormShadowJoe
  • 20
    Font - Antique Ambassador927 20 hr. ago 12 years loyalty and still treated like the hired help. Time to help yourself to a new job and more money
    via u/StormShadowJoe

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