Employee's wedding PTO is denied in favor of older coworker's time off request, boss presents an ultimatum: ‘Either reschedule your wedding or you're fired’

Author image for Bar Mor Hazut
Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Aug 13, 2024 9:00 AM EDT

In a perfect world, when a couple gets engaged, they each get to take time off their jobs so they can plan their dream wedding. Then, after they get married, without having to even think about work, they would go on a long honeymoon to enjoy their time together as newlyweds. Only after they return from their vacation would they also return to work, where everyone would welcome them with open arms and congratulations.

This world is not a perfect world, in fact, it is far from it. We live in a world in which employees are demanded to reschedule their weddings because their PTO was denied, solely to accommodate a new coworker. We live in a world in which if you ignore your boss's unreasonable demands to reschedule your wedding and honeymoon, you are going to get fired.

This story is not made up, it is very much real and you can read the full tale down below. After that, click here for a story of a micromanager who refused to accept help from her employees.

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  • 01
    25 1 Friday 28 29 30 6 7 2 8 9 "I will be fired if I don't 16 cancel my PTO" 23 30 4 5 6
    via Canva
  • 02
    [TN] management says I will be fired if I don't let cancel my pto and let another employee have that time because she is older
    via u/th_rowaw_ay6400
  • 03
    As background, I have about a month of seniority over this employee with regards to time at the company. She is 34 years older than me.
    via u/th_rowaw_ay6400
  • 04
    She went on a week long cruise then went to a resort in Florida for a week in june (so a 2 week long vacation), which I had to cover for (no it's not my business and I wouldn't
    via u/th_rowaw_ay6400
  • 05
    normally care but the long vacation becomes relevant soon) I got engaged last year. On April 15th, I put in to be off for pto from 8/24-9/1 for my batchelorette, our wedding, and our honeymoon.
    via u/th_rowaw_ay6400
  • 06
    At this point everyone has been knowing that I'm getting married. On tuesday 8/6 the other associate and a manager approached me informing me
    via u/th_rowaw_ay6400
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    that the other associate had just come to her asking to have off 8/25-8/31. Mind you she had to go to the manager because it's already so close that it's blacked out in our requesting system.
    via u/th_rowaw_ay6400
  • 08
    I asked why exactly they were coming to me about this. The manager told me that would no longer be able to take my vacation as im the only other person capable of covering for this employee.
    via u/th_rowaw_ay6400
  • 09
    I reminded her I have seniority, I requested it off months earlier, and I will be getting married. She told me the other employee will be getting the time off it as
    via u/th_rowaw_ay6400
  • 10
    she is much older and very tired and needs to recoup. I pointed out that only about month and a half ago she took a 2 week vacation.
    via u/th_rowaw_ay6400
  • 11
    She said that isn't my business and I will understand when I'm older but I need to cancel my vacation and reschedule my wedding or I will be fired. What can I do here
    via u/th_rowaw_ay6400
  • 12
    modernistamphibian 2 days ago I need to cancel my vacation and reschedule my wedding or I will be fired Lol, okay. What a weird situation. Are you willing to see if they are bluffing? It sounds like you are
    via u/modernistamphibian
  • 13
    going to get married anyway, and then the ball is in their court. They either fire you, or they don't fire you.
    via u/modernistamphibian
  • 14
    th_rowaw_ay6400 OP · 2 days ago I told her to get someone hired now so I can get them trained on a fraction of what I do before I get fired.
    via u/th_rowaw_ay6400
  • 15
    marblefree · 2 days ago Email back and Cc HR confirming your understanding that the manager is stating you will be fired if you don't cancel your previously approved
    via u/marblefree
  • 16
    vacation to get married for an employee that already took 2 weeks this year and has less seniority Because she is older than you and needs the time off more.
    via u/marblefree
  • 17
    granters021718 · 2 days ago There isn't anything to do. You take your vacation, get married, and look for a new job.
    via u/granters021718
  • 18
    Boiler2001 2 days ago If they fire you, the other person still had to work your vacation week, right? Feels like a hollow threat to me, but definitely not a place you want to work long term.
    via u/Boiler2001
  • 19
    I'd keep the pto scheduled, look for new jobs, ideally give notice at the end of the pto that you're quitting with a new job lined up.
    via u/Boiler2001
  • 20
    • HopefulOriginal5578 · 2 days ago Odd that you're the only other person who can do a job and that's the reason you can't take a vacation but they are willing to fire you (perma vacation if you will) and be left in a worse situation.
    via u/HopefulOriginal5578
  • 21
    It makes no logical sense. You're that vital where your needed but then, not vital because they are fully telling you they will fire you.
    via u/HopefulOriginal5578
  • 22
    Imsortofok 2 days ago You have a union. Talk to your rep. Complain HR. and read your contract to find out what grievances you can file for bring threatened with firing over not canceling your wedding in favor of the older employee's very late vacation request.
    via u/Imsortofok
  • 23
    Morbys 2 days ago These is clearly favoritism and although not illegal, can still get them. in trouble if they do not follow policy, which is clear they aren't since she's trying to get it in last minute.
    via u/Morbys
  • 24
    Follow up with HR and their managers as they would be appalled at this strong arm tactic and they themselves could get fired. Be sure to email the two to get them confirming their request of you so that you have something in the event they retaliate. You shouldn't have to find another job, assuming you like where you work. But you should get HR and upper management involved.
    via u/Morbys

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boss workplace-stories employee fired manager job tales-from-the-workplace coworkers reddit story wedding PTO overworked-employees workplace Reddit company
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