'They said it wouldn’t be a problem': Manager denies employees vacation request after it was approved during job interview

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Emmy Pratt • Senior Editor
Jan 4, 2024 4:00 PM EST

There's something so scary about your vacation getting ripped out from under you. You spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars to have a couple of nice days away from your troubles at work, and if your vacation time gets retroactively denied, there's nothing you can do about it. Well, there are things you can do…you can quit your job, but I don't think most of us are willing to immediately give up our livelihoods because we're denied our ten days in the Floridian sun. Redditors often advise others to quit their jobs after a slight discretion by management. Still, it's an unrealistic expectation, seeing that most workers deal with conflict in the workplace. The best-case scenario is coming to some agreement with management; the only way to do that is through good communication. One worker's boss tried to take away their vacation time, and the people of Reddit actually came in with some worthwhile advice. 

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  • 01
    r/mildlyinfuriating u/crownpoly 22h ● My job just denied my vacation request even though I informed them about it during my interview
    via u/crownpoly
  • 02
    For context, I have a cruise coming up in 2 weeks to Aruba. I already got my tickets and spent $700. I was hired at my job in October. During the interview process, I informed HR that I would need this week off of work in January. They said it wouldn't be a problem.
    via u/crownpoly
  • 03
    Just got my schedule for January and I'm scheduled to work that week. When I went to my manager, he said that they have a lot of work and I don't have any vacation time. What do I do? I work at a machine shop making pretty good money. Besides this, everything else is relatively fine.
    via u/crownpoly
  • 04
    alk_adio_ost 21h You write an email indicating this was discussed as a part of your hiring cycle and one of the reasons you took the offer is because of the flexibility that was offered for your vacation time. - LL - always get something like this in writing. ... Reply 49.5k
    via u/alk_adio_ost
  • 05
    ironicmirror • 18h Write the email to the HR person, not the person who is telling you about the schedule 43.7k ↓ ...
    via u/ironicmirror
  • 06
    Icy-Imwithyouguys. 17h This is the way! Up to Hr to advise the manager of your conversation. G 41.3k
    via u/Icy-Imwithyouguys
  • 07
    ericbsmith42 • 18h Further, inform them that this is non-negotiable. You're going on the trip. If they want you to come back to work for them that's up to them. ... 608
    via u/ericbsmith42
  • 08
    Harleys_Angel • 20h You can just talk to HR. I would suggest first discussing the full details with your manager but if not then to speak with HR and just because you don't have vacation time doesn't mean you can't take vacation (unpaid time or pto are also options) Reply 4 2.1k ↓
    via u/Harleys_Angel
  • 09
    WhatKindOfMonster 17h ● This. HR will set it straight, because they likely don't want to go to the trouble of another round of hiring. They're missing you for a week, or spending several weeks looking for someone new. It makes financial and business sense for them to let you take the time off as promised. G 4511 + ...
    via u/WhatKindOfMonster
  • 10
    skullplant 18h ● As a manager I would never and have never denied vacation request. It doesn't matter if you have vacation time or not. None of my part timers get vacation hours. However they know they just have to give me two weeks notice. It doesn't matter if we are short staffed they still get their time off. I think it's crazy how some managers think. I've been with my company for 23 years and get 5 paid weeks of vacation a year. I take all of mine so why wouldn't it be okay for an employee
    via u/skullplant
  • 11
    Small_Secretary_6063 - 18h I wish I had you as a Manager! My previous Manager used to take his full 30 days annual leave and even Paternity leave. I had 20 days allowance per year, but I often got denied my requests and could only use I average 10 to 12 days of it per year because we were "too busy". What was worse is we forfeit any unused days if not Senior level. He used to complain to the Directors that I was coming into work tired and becoming increasingly complacent due to my out of work ac
    via u/Small_Secretary_6063
  • 12
    J1mmyNovak 19h ● Most likely the manager is aware and hoping you won't stand up for yourself or tell HR. Reply +374 + ....
    via u/J1mmyNovak
  • 13
    Shooter_McGavin_2 . 19h Tell your manager you weren't asking for the time off. It was part of the agreement for you to accept the position. Go on your vacation you have already paid for. All of these people telling you to access whether 700 vacation is worth your job needs to grow a spine. You let this slide, and they will take advantage of you for years to come. ... Reply 506
    via u/Shooter_McGavin_2
  • 14
    RaveMasterSenpai . 17h Agreed, I had to do this last year and that was with 6 months notice AND I had 3 weeks of vacation hours available. I told my supervisor " everything is already paid for, I gave you 6 months notice, and you deny it a week before I'm supposed to leave. It's too late to get a refund, I'm going on vacation whether I get paid or not. " Still have my job, those supervisors are no longer with the company, and I ended up getting paid out my vacation hours when I got back in one c
    via u/RaveMasterSenpai
  • 15
    who_am_i_to_say_so. 21h I'll pay you $800 each for the tickets, sight unseen. A cruise for $700??? o ... Reply 4248 crownpoly OP • 21h Cruises are surprisingly kinda cheap G ... 194
    via u/who_am_i_to_say_so

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toxic-manager vacations jobs employee manager job toxic-management reddit story human resources managers mildly infuriating Reddit job interview vacation
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