18-year-old employee tells boss to approve their leave or accept their resignation: 'How do I tell my boss that she either has to approve my 4 months' notice or accept my 2 weeks' resignation?'

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Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Aug 17, 2024 7:00 PM EDT

Requesting time off from work is kind of a weird ritual. While you're technically "asking" for time off, that time is, is usually less of a "want" and more of a "need"—even though your employer will treat it like the former. It's not as if you can ask your cousin to reschedule their wedding just for you or your entire family to reschedule their family reunion. 

Still, lots of businesses have periods of high trade where they're exceedingly strict about granting any time off—or there during holiday periods when everyone is going to want to be away. And, well, having to work every holiday when the rest of your family is getting together or having to miss a vacation with your family because your boss is a control freak really stinks. 

After their boss rejected their leave request for time off in December, this employee reached out to this online community, where users engage in discussion about workplace issues, to ask readers how they should tell their boss that they would be handing in their resignation if their leave wasn't approved, noting in their post that they wanted to be able to take leave "whenever they can." The feedback they received from readers advised them to keep working the job without saying anything else for the time being. Between now and their holiday, they should start looking for a new job in January and then resign just before their holiday in December before returning to their new job.

Readers also strongly suggested that this young worker needed to work on the manner in which they spoke to their boss and ditch the incomplete sentences and emoji usage. Regardless of the situation at hand, commenters reasoned, a little professionalism would go a long way. 

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  • 01
    It's during Christmas time Yo da "How do I tell my boss that she either has to approve my 4 months' notice or accept my 2 weeks' resignation?" V Flights already booked can you plssss approve
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  • 02
    11:39 1 227 AW Sun, 7 Jul at 11:57 AM Yes pls Today 11:32 AM It's during Christmas time Why reject leave Yes I know You will need to sort out another date No Flights already booked can you plssss approve I'll work extra extra after You are meant to see me before you submit leave You will have to change them You can go see the store manager if you like + iMessage Delivered
    via u/ScaresCarson
  • 03
    Basically I'm a university age (18y.0.) employee for a major grocery store chain in Australia and have planned (and booked) a vacation with a large group of my friends to Vietnam in December. When I submitted my leave (4 months notice) it was instantly declined which lead to the attached text conversation. I enjoy working at this place but want to live my life and be able to take leave whenever I can to see the world. As the title says, how can I tell my boss to accept my 4 months holiday notice
    via u/ScaresCarson
  • 04
    lilgremmy 14 hr. ago I'm also in Australia and also work for one of the main two. Don't let them get into you with the "blackout period" 1. It doesn't exist. They can only deny leave on reasonable grounds. Four months notice is plenty reasonable. If you are in the union, get in contact.
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  • 05
    davechri 15 hr. ago Here's what I would do. First, keep working. Two, plan to resign in mid- December. Three, start looking for another job that would start in January. (It may be too early to start right now but you decide that.)
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  • 06
    • IndelibleIguana · 14 hr. ago. edited 14 hr. ago Don't even resign. Just leave when you need to. If they can't be reasonable, they why should you?
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  • 07
    Striking-Kiwi-9470 - 15 hr. ago Tell them nothing, go anyway, and ignore any phone calls. It's a grocery store, it won't matter and they'll have a replacement for you inside a week. You'll remember that vacation for life. Corporations do not care about you. Don't waste time or energy caring about them.
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  • 08
    1beerattatime - 15 hr. ago Lol. My dude, just go on the trip. The worst repercussion would be that you got fired. Don't give them for notice. They wouldn't give it to you before they'd fire you.
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  • 09
    Overall-Lynx917. 15 hr. ago Next time you go to work: OP - "Hey Boss no problem with my holiday dates, it's sorted". Boss "Good" Day Before your holiday: OP: "Bye Boss, it's been great working with you I'm off on my holiday" Boss: "But you said it was no problem and you'd sorted it out:
    via u/ScaresCarson
  • 10
    OP: "Yes, I had no problem booking my holiday and getting my travel plans sorted. See Ya" Boss: "You'll never work here again: OP: "Thank Christ for that. Bye"
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  • 11
    BH11B · 15 hr. ago If you're ready to be jobless today go ahead and do that. If not work until your vacation and enjoy your trip.
    via u/ScaresCarson
  • 12
    • wigneyr 15 hr. ago Why are you speaking like a 13 year old to your boss though?
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  • 13
    ■ Firemanlouvier 15 hr. ago Not sure if you have any repercussions if you just quit on the job but do that. Don't tell anyone anything so you still have money and a job for these next months. You probably won't have enough pull with a corporation to win the ultimatum but it is good to stick to your guns when you can.
    via u/ScaresCarson
  • 14
    CommunityGlittering2 15 hr. ago why quit, let them fire you
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  • 15
    Illustrious Peace6553 15 hr. ago You say 'ok boss, Ill change the dates'. Then submit a new one with approved dates after you see her first. But wait....you dont actually change your plans and you quit closer to Christmas time, or the day before you intend to go on your original dates.
    via u/ScaresCarson
  • 16
    EdNug 15 hr. ago Good luck bit if they don't approve it, don't resign until 2 weeks before the start of your vacation.
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  • 17
    baltimorecalling . 9 hr. ago Don't text your boss like you're texting a friend.
    via u/ScaresCarson
  • 18
    Pretend_Spray_11.8 hr. ago You go on the trip and you also start texting like an adult, especially if you are communicating with your coworkers.
    via u/ScaresCarson

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