'He enjoys firing people': Airline service provider's PTO retroactively denied by conflict-friendly new manager, employee claps back

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Dec 16, 2023 4:00 PM EST

There is nothing like a new manager coming in and messing up the structure and workflow that was functioning so well for literally everyone else. It's a classic conundrum that can manifest itself across all industries. That being said, it becomes particularly infuriating when these sudden changes affect you personally. 

This airline service provider submitted a PTO request for the Holiday season way back in October. The request was approved and all was well. But the new manager, who apparently was overheard saying he genuinely enjoyed firing his employees, took issue with this PTO request when he came aboard. Rather than accept that the request was approved long before he joined, the manager decided to retroactively reverse the approval and to give the employee a threatening ultimatum. 

At this point, the new manager had already made a ton of enemies and was making the work day difficult for everyone. The employee realized how completely powerless the manager would be without him but didn't care to find a compromise. A line was crossed and OP owed this guy nothing. He shared his story via this thread on Reddit and decided to continue to go on his Holiday trip with plans to turn in his badge to HR as soon as he returned. Keep scrolling below to see what folks had to say in the comments section. When you're finished, here is another similar story about a boss who was late on paying her employee but decided to make it seem like the employee's fault. 

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  • 01
    "New manager trying to retroactively reject my PTO")
    via shawnanggg
  • 02
    New manager trying to retroactively reject my PTO So i currently work as a turn around coordinator at an airline service provider. In September i set a request for PTO for the 14th of December to the 20th (five 8 hour days + 2 off days). It got approved about a week later. At the time they were 9 people at my position and a different manager. Fast forward and now they are 3 people. long story short new manager came in and made wholesale changes, fired some people and some people quit even had mu
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 03
    So December 13 I come into work and my manager approaches me and tells me my PTO has been rejected. I stare at him for like 5 seconds in disbelief and just say that's problematic. He says he can't find anyone to cover my flights.
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 04
    (He knew since October and he also has the ability to do the job as well) I tell him that plans have been made and it can't be canceled. He tells me if I don't show up it could be punishment including suspension and termination. I stare at disbelief again and say would you be able to find someone to do my flights if that happens? Normally I'm not a confrontational person but it was obvious he was trying to threaten me.
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 05
    So read it over I wanted to add some background on what kind of person my manager is. He is a very stubborn man and likes to assert his power in a very domineering way. I mostly stay to myself and only speak to him when necessary and keep my mistakes to a minimum. One time on my off day one of my coworkers said they overheard him talking with another supervisor and he said he enjoys firing people. Some of the ramp agent guys also heard it and confronted him and asked what he meant and he backtra
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 06
    His intimidation tactic was not gonna work I already paid for a hotel a rental car and plane tickets and are all past refund dates. The most annoying part is I'm 100% sure he knows my flight is in the morning so he knows I won't have time to go to hr to confirm if my PTO is actually canceled. I told him I can see what I can do and he left it at that. But I have already decided that it was my last day.
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 07
    Doesn't matter if it was approved or not I'm just gonna give my airport badge to hr when I get back. Maybe this time he finds someone to cover my flights.
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 08
    Green_Mix_3412 . 14 hr. ago that. If it isn't in Writing it did the happen. sounds like the only thing you have in writing is the approval. 455 Reply Share
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 09
    Ups_papito 14 hr. ago checks your states department of labor rules regarding PTO... if it's a requirement to deny in writing a certain amount of days he's can't terminate you. Suspension isn't a threat he's already understaffed plus it will be a vacation! 230 I and Reply Share
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 10
    lilbuu_buu OP 14 hr. ago Yea his empty threats don't faze me 151 Reply Share
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 11
    Hippy_Lynne 13 hr. ago edited 8 hr. ago 1. Do not turn in your badge. If you force them to fire you it will make it a lot harder for them to get out of paying your unemployment.
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 12
    2. Total up what you would lose in deposits etc if you canceled your trip at this late date. Immediately send your boss an email and tell him that the company would be liable for this loss. If you do not have an agreement from him in writing to pay that full amount, you will take your PTO.
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 13
    Legally he can recind your PTO with no notice (in some states.) But he would still be liable for any expenses you have if you had to cancel your trip that late. If you have an HR department I would CC them on that email. My guess is they're going to take one look at it, call him, and tell him that you're taking PTO and he needs to figure out coverage himself. 185 Reply Share
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 14
    PET DXONLED Hack-The-Workforce. 12 hr. ago the Bosses! Make them fire you, then file a wrongful termination suit. Also file for unemployment
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 15
    Professorred1984. 14 hr. ago Check your local unemployment rules. You may not be able to collect if you quit.
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 16
    lilbuu_buu OP. 14 hr. ago I wasn't actually planning to since I was quitting but I searched it up and my city has a line that says if you have a good cause you can still get unemployment which can include quitting for hostile or inappropriate conditions. So I'll look into it
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 17
    Naps_and_cheese 12 hr. ago "My PTO has already been approved I will be taking it. Any threats to my employment shall ge forwarded to HR and my own counsel."
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 18
    Meincornwall 8 hr. ago I'd go off on my holiday & claim amnesia to the conversation on your return. Ask him if any of the conversation was confirmed in writing & tell him you can check your emails later if he'd like. I'd have lots of fun with a few "Nope doesn't ring any bells, you sure it was me you spoke to"
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 19
    Fixerguy415 10 hr. ago . 1. If it isn't in writing it didn't happen. 2. You have an approval of your PTO which you relied upon when you purchased travel and accomodations.
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 20
    3. I'd be talking to the new manager telling him he needs to contact legal and HR before he goes a step too far and gets the company a Detrimental Reliance lawsuit along with wage theft (because your PTO absolutely is delayed wages) especially if you stand to forfeit any of it due to not being allowed to use what was already approved.
    via u/lilbuu_buu
  • 21
    4. Ace of Trumps: You could also tell him you're willing to work after you come back from your approved vacation, the only question is will you be working for him, or a competitor.
    via u/lilbuu_buu

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boss workplace-stories fired work stories toxic-workplace job work Horrible Bosses reddit thread Reddit company quitting toxic-work-environment
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