Manager cancels employee's leave while they're already away on vacation: 'I'm [canceling] your vacation'

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
May 25, 2024 6:00 PM EDT

Taking time off work is probably just as important as the work itself. Being able to step away, take a break, and come back with a new perspective will likely benefit your work—besides, you've earned it. Although, of course, what you'll often find happens is that the freedom and relaxation your vacation offers you makes returning to work even more difficult than it already is on a normal Monday.

Being denied the chance to take leave can mean missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, family event, or simply that vacation that has been keeping you going. Without a doubt, having a manager and/or working in an industry that callously cancels and denies leave requests is a great way to have a miserable existence. Still, while you might expect that there's a chance that a leave request might get denied for a legitimate reason, you'd probably be shocked if your boss contacted you trying to cancel your leave approval when you're already away on vacation. 

This is basically exactly how things played out for this worker when their manager contacted them while they were away on vacation and, in a bizarre power play, attempted to strong-arm them into coming back early. In a post that they shared in this popular online workplace community, the worker outlined the circumstances that may have led to this bizarre exchange, telling how they had recently reported their manager to HR and suspected it might be retaliation. 

See their post below, along with a range of reactions from readers in the comments of the original post. And, remember, folks, if you can't trust your manager to not pull something like this, make sure you have your approval in writing, and don't answer their calls while you're on leave!

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  • 01
    "I'm [canceling] your vacation."
    via S'well
  • 02

    "Vacation cancelled... While I was on vacation."

    Had my vacation approved back in January/February timeframe, so I bought tickets and booked hotel. (Spent close to 3k for tickets and hotel, but really, that's irrelevant for the story, as it's the principle here). I had scheduled two extra days on either side of my trip to give me time to pack and recover, and to burn up some vacation time because I kept running up to the limit. I checked in on my computer the first day of vacation to find my
    via u/ImAnActionBirb
  • 03
    manager scheduled a meeting for me. that day. Umm no I'm on vacation. Checked in the next day to find an email saying "since you didn't show up to the meeting, I'm cancelling your vacation," and she did, in fact, retroactively cancel my time off. So I replied to the email basically saying, "this was pre-approved and I'm not accessible during this time, bye." And of course, resubmitted my time. I assume she's trying to force a situation. of job abandonment. How is this legal?
    via u/ImAnActionBirb
  • 04
    Bit of backstory: she's been out for my blood ever since I reported her for some stuff, and HR is in line with her retaliation. Can't say too much for another couple of weeks, but can follow up if interest demands.
    via u/ImAnActionBirb
  • 05
    leogrr44 18 hr. ago • So she played games and trapped you to try to emotionally ruin your vacation? What an
    via u/ImAnActionBirb
  • 06
    • quast_64 18 hr. ago 'I'll reject this reality, and replace it with my own'. it is a variant of ' day one-We made record profits last year, day two- no there are not enough funds for any raises or bonuses' Managerial psychosis and Gaslighting.
    via u/ImAnActionBirb
  • 07
    PestCemetary 17 hr. ago. Just remember, people like this LOVE to send you this kind of stuff right before, or during, your vacation. They think it will ruin your experience while you're away. Put it out of your mind as best you can!!
    via u/ImAnActionBirb
  • 08
    -CherrySaint- . 18 hr. ago Have you got any evidence of it being pre-approved. All I'd do is just take pics of her emails and behavior. You'd be safe... If you have the pre-approval pics or papers ImAnActionBirb OP. 18 hr. ago All verbal. The system emails saying it's approved, I have though.
    via u/ImAnActionBirb
  • 09
    Stumblecat · 16 hr. ago The fact she SENT AN E-MAIL saying she cancelled the vacation you were already on, creating a digital paper trail that they're doing this.
    via u/ImAnActionBirb
  • 10
    Substantial_Heron_98 17 hr. ago Take screenshots of the approval, cancelation, and her communication with you and email them to HR and her boss.
    via u/ImAnActionBirb

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workplace discussion employment issues antiwork workplace-stories jobs employment-discussion job work workplace Horrible Bosses leave summer vacation employment vacation in the workplace
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