Man is forced to work on his wedding day despite asking for leave 6 months prior: 'His job will not remember this sacrifice'

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JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Jul 9, 2024 6:00 PM EDT

We get so caught up in the everyday humdrum of life that we forget to take time out for the special things. That's what holidays are best for-- they make you stop your usual routine, slow down, and take in some special memories. It's incredibly important to the human psyche. If we didn't have holidays and vacations, we might have less reason to get out of bed in the mornings. And there are a few days in your life when you get to do whatever you want. Your wedding day is one of them. You get to be the belle of the ball, have all the attention on you, and take centerstage. And nobody can tell you that you can't. 

But one groom was not so lucky and had the plans for his big day foiled by a demanding and unreasonable boss who had it out for him. Read on for the full story. 

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  • 01
    "His manager cryptically threatened to fire him"
    via Ruthson Zimmerman
  • 02
    Being forced to work on wedding day...leave approved months ago
    via u/BlazinWasian757
  • 03
    Hey everyone, I'm new here. A buddy of mine is getting married this weekend. He's had a really rough life, but he found a good woman and we're all super happy for him.
    via u/BlazinWasian757
  • 04
    Anyways, he's a middle manager at his company and had his leave approved for this week and next weekend since February, six months ahead.
    via u/BlazinWasian757
  • 05
    Yesterday, he was informed that due to another middle manager getting injured off duty, he will need to come in this weekend and at least half of next week (his scheduled honeymoon).
    via u/BlazinWasian757
  • 06
    Obviously, he pushed back on his boss and explained (though he shouldn't need to) that this is his wedding day and honeymoon, the leave was approved half a year ago, there are people from all over the country who cleared their schedules to be here, and thousands of dollars were invested in this. He was simply
    via u/BlazinWasian757
  • 07
    told that he's a manager, so he needs to set the example and show he is serious about his obligations to the company. His manager cryptically threatened to fire him if he didn't work on his wedding day and honeymoon.
    via u/BlazinWasian757
  • 08
    He lives and works in North Carolina. Is this legal? Does anybody have experience or someone to contact to fix this? He really needs this job, so responses that say, "Just quit," won't be helpful. In the immediate, looking for any sort of help. Thanks, everyone.
    via u/BlazinWasian757
  • 09
    swishkabobbin ⚫ 6 days ago lazy and proud There are 3 characters in your story. One is injured. One is getting married. And one seems totally available to step in. Problem solved. Boss man can work.
    via u/swishkabobbin
  • 10
    PudgyElderGod. 6 days ago Tell your buddy that his job will not remember this sacrifice. It will not save him when he's on the chopping block. His partner though? She'll remember if he tries to work during the honey moon, and she'll sure as remember if he works during the wedding day.
    via u/PudgyElderGod
  • 11
    Folks from all over the country have come out to see this wedding. Explain the situation to at least some of them and try to scrounge up some scratch for him to survive until he finds a new job. Have him start a GoFundMe for
    via u/PudgyElderGod
  • 12
    it. Just don't let him miss his wedding for a job that does not value him enough to honour time off for a wedding. They could fire his a month from now and then he'd have nothing.
    via u/PudgyElderGod
  • 13
    BlazinWasian757 OP. 6 days ago You're so right. A lot of friends have counseled me the same way. "You're a bad friend if you let him miss his wedding day for work." For sure. I was just seeing if options exist legally to avoid that, but given the comments I'm seeing, he's going to have to make do on the threat and let them fire him.
    via u/BlazinWasian757
  • 14
    Underpaid23 6 days ago Nope. He CANT negotiate. If he gives up his wedding they will have ZERO issue having him work during the birth of his child or during his parents funeral.
    via u/Underpaid23
  • 15
    This is one of those moments in life where a person just has to take a hit. It'll , but it'll be less painful in the long run. Edit to say don't tell him to quit. They can fire him or let him go on his honeymoon.
    via u/Underpaid23
  • 16
    24carrickgold 6 days ago If your buddy ends up getting fired because of this, it would certainly be a shame if a local news station picked up the story and made his employer look bad... "From 'I Do' to "You're Fired': Local Man Loses Job for Refusing to Work on Wedding Day"
    via u/24carrickgold
  • 17
    km_4823 6 days ago Unfortunately there isn't really a solution here. What the boss is doing to completely legal. By attending the wedding and honeymoon, it's very likely he will lose his job if his boss makes good on the threat. However it could just be that, an empty threat.
    via u/km_4823
  • 18
    Any boss that would do this is not someone you would want to work for anyway, so if he does keep his job, I'd recommend looking for another one after the honeymoon. I'm sorry he's in this situation.
    via u/km_4823
  • 19
    NCC1701-Enterprise 6 days ago He absolutely can be fired, however as long as he has documentation that the time off was approved then they won't be able to fire him for cause so he will be able to get unemployment.
    via u/NCC1701-Enterprise

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boss antiwork workplace-stories marriage work stories wedding party toxic-workplace wedding drama work marriage-drama wedding PTO workplace Horrible Bosses reddit thread Reddit weddings vacation
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