'I requested 2 Saturdays off 2 months in advance. Both requests were denied outright': Employee can't get PTO request approved for her own wedding because of petty manager's vendetta

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Ben Weiss • Writer and Editor
Jul 22, 2025 2:00 PM EDT

Imagine your manager being so petty that you can't even take off work for your own wedding! This overworked employee experienced the downside of being better at her job than her manager was at theirs. Essentially, the employee was so detail-oriented that she came to notice several scheduling errors, having tried to point them out politely to her boss. Unfortunately, her boss interpreted these notes as a threat, and it backfired when the employee needed their approval for some upcoming PTO days… for her wedding!

The most frustrating part of this story is that without proper oversight from those at the top, some middle management bosses can get away with actions that simply should not be permitted. If an employee requests PTO several months in advance, that request should be accepted no matter what. If that request also happens to be for a particularly special occasion like a wedding, once again, there should be zero pushback. Even if this manager deserved to be less lenient with this employee for some reason, their wedding would not be the right time to be difficult. 

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    Cheezburger Image 10532706816
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • Thankfully, several members of the online community came to the defense of this employee and gave them some proper advice. While it's unfortunate that the author's chronic illness has made it difficult to leave this job due to its convenience for her health, that doesn't mean that she has to endure unnecessary treatment from her employer. 

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    I have been at my job for over 6 years. I've gotten multiple promotions/raises and I really think I've proven my value. I have 127.5 hours of accrued PTO, and I requested 2 Saturdays off 2 months in advance. Both requests were denied outright.
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    The person who denied them has a personal vendetta against me because I call them out regularly for making scheduling errors, even though I do so respectfully and professionally. This is a common complaint, and I've been validated by several managers
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    however no one is actually helping me resolve the issue. I am already trying to plan a whole wedding in a short period of time because my grandad is has taken his second fall this month and is currently in the hospital. I'm
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    planning the whole thing around him, I've booked the event hall at his retirement home to make sure he can be there. If I push it any further than September, there's a good chance he won't be around.
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    And I have to do it on a weekend- my stepmom is my maid of honor, and she's a special ed teacher so she can't exactly take time off in the middle of the week. In the 6 years I've worked at this company, I've maybe asked off 5
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    days for personal reasons. I have had to take medical leave for surgeries, but that was all covered by FMLA. The problem is that it is a pretty sweet gig- I
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    work from home and have good medical benefits, which is necessary because I have a chronic illness. Even if I had another job lined up, I would be able to afford my meds in the time it would take for me to switch insurance plans. I feel
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    completely stuck. I can't believe how stressful of a situation this has become. I feel like there has to be some sort of policy or law that protects me or helps me out
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    in this situation? I can't afford to keep going back and forth about this, I have too much planning to do. Does anyone have any suggestions??
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    Cheezburger Image 10532707328
    via Azamat Zhanisov

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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    NYCStoryteller ⚫ NOR. Talk to your manager's manager and explain that you have the PTO available, and if they appreciate your value, you need them to override this person. Is there an HR person you can talk to about the PTO policy?
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    You're providing them with plenty of notice. Your boss can't discriminate or retaliate against you and deny your PTO without business-related cause, and by discriminating and retaliating against you, they are creating a hostile work environment for you.
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    The company policy should. be in the handbook and explain the process for requesting PTO. Make sure you're following it to the letter. See if you can find an attorney who does employment law.
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    goknightsgo09. I'm a Store Manager. If I did this to one of my employees, I would FULLY expect them to go above my head to my District Manager who would rightfully tell me to get a grip and give the time off.
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    Don't give up on the job if you want to be there and like the job, especially with the longevity you have established there. Go above
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    the person's head to their manager or if you have an HR department, consider looping them in as well. Good luck with your wedding!!
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    eadBear65. Manager, I've requested these days off for 2 special occasions. I have the PTO to cover my absences. (supervisor) has denied my requests, so I am turning to you for assistance with this matter. I've been a faithful
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    employee for 6+ years with a good track record. If I'm denied my requested time off, I will evaluate my position here for the immediate future. My dates. are not flexible in any way. Thank you for your time in this matter.
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    HasOneHere ⚫ Make sure your request and rejection is documented. Prepare to quit but before that go to HR and threaten them with a lawsuit for not honoring your earned time off with a complaint against that person who rejected your PTO. Watch the world burn.
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    Princapessa • so id email manager and managers manager, don't ask, tell them it is your wedding and you are providing ample notice that you will not be available on those days.
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    you are entitled to be paid for those days and can certainly ask why they were denied or you can eat it and simply opt to take the days unpaid but you are letting
    via No_Stranger_8335
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    them know in writing you will not be available as you have prior commitments that can not be altered (no pun intended hehe) but seriously stop asking, just tell
    via No_Stranger_8335

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workplace-stories toxic-manager employee work stories toxic-workplace manager job work wedding PTO human resources overworked-employees company toxic-work-environment
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