Company changes PTO policy to 5 days months after hiring worker, forces them to cancel their vacation

Should they be allowed to do that?

Time off is one of the most important parts of your employee benefits, right next to money. If you don't have control over your own time, then what do you have control over? Your job takes up so much of your time already; you should be able to take breaks. Breaks are essential. Not only do we need time away from our tasks, but we also need the anticipation of vacation to help get us through the weeks. If we're just working uninterrupted forever, then it is easy to lose motivation. Everyone wants to avoid burnout, and time off is the biggest way to do that. It's why companies think long and hard about what kind of PTO packages they want to offer their employees. But things can always change. 

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  • A young woman looks stressed working in an office
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • Company changing PTO policy right after hire.

    So I started a new job in December and I was given 2 weeks of PTO on an accrual basis. Last month the company announced that first year hires only get 1 week of PTO (5 days) on an accrual basis. So now I'm
    via queenkakashi
  • having a postpone vacation which is really needed as I couldn't afford / didn't have time (because life be lifing) a vacation. I do like my job but just bummed I'll just be here accruing 0.19 hours of PTO every two weeks I guess
    via queenkakashi
  • Harrigan_Raen I would make sure this is clarified by your manager/HR, as not only were you hired last year, but this new policy is after your employment started and PTO given. Make it clear you have already planned a vacation, and spent money to go on said vacation.
    via queenkakashi
  • If they aren't willing to either grandfather you in, I would start looking for a new job because you havent even been there 5 months and they are already going back on their word. You cannot have any faith about future commitments from them. Expect all future bonuses, promotions, etc. to be non-existent unless they are willing to put it in writing with a specific timeline.
    via queenkakashi
  • And just to be clear, they can not retroactively remove your PTO. So the prior pay periods where you earned the original accrual rate can't just be taken back/removed. And If they do/try that contact your states Department of Labor.
    via queenkakashi
  • Also, for the record, you mean you are earing 0.19 days of PTO every other week correct? Because .19 Hours every other week amounts to only 4.94 hours. a year of PTO.
    via queenkakashi

  • Commenters gave them ideas on how to get around this.

    LoveOfSpreadshe... You should challenge them. "I'm not a new hire, I've been here 4 months"
    via LoveOfSpreadsheets

  • When you take a new job, you want to know what you're signing up for. You want to know what kind of effect it's going to have on your life and lifestyle. You want to make sure that you know exactly what is in store for you before you say yes. You would hate to end up in a regrettable situation just because you were afraid to speak up for yourself in the beginning. But even if you do everything you're supposed to and follow all the rules, you might still end up in a situation where you're being taken advantage of. Maybe your job pulled the wool over your eyes, and you didn't realize it until it was too late. That's what happened here, where a new employee had to change their plans just because their employer was trying to renege on their original plan. When they signed the contract for their new job, they didn't know quite what to expect. But they at least thought they could take the vacation they had been planning on taking. But it turned out not to be so simple. Keep reading to see exactly what happened in this employee drama, and see what you would have done in their shoes. Then let us know what you think in the comments.

  • Chrono_Convoy Check your contract which I'm guessing was legally signed and address it with your boss. If you don't stand up for yourself no one will.
    via Chrono_Convoy
  • scolphoy Are you sure this affects you, and not just new hires hired after the policy change?
    via scolphoy
  • sadunk Still take the vacation. Don't put that off.
    via sadunk
  • A young businesswoman holds her head in her hands at her desk
    via Unsplash+ (Getty Images)

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • penguin1040 Yeah that doesn't make sense. You should be grandfathered in.
    via penguin1040
  • feignapathy Have you already seen this change impact your accrual or are you just assuming it will? Usually stuff like this wouldn't be retroactive. It would start the date it was announced to take effect for people hired on and after that date.
    via feignapathy
  • You might work for a sh company though... which S ks if so. I'd have one foot out the door in that case. If they'll halve my PTO retroactively, what will they do to my retirement? Hours? Compensation? Job duties?
    via feignapathy
  • pangalacticcourier What were the original terms of your employment, OP? Did you sign a contract when hired? If so, what does it say?
    via pangalacticcourier
  • Lastly, you might want to have a conversation with a local labor law attorney to see what your actual options are. Any other advice you receive here is above Reddit's pay grade. Good luck, friend.
    via pangalacticcourier
  • Elensea The pto should of been in your offer letter as a benefit. It's no different than them hiring you and trying to pay you less. Tell them politely yet firm that you mutually agreed to two weeks pto during the application period.
    via Elensea
  • OrganicMix3499 This type of policy change is a huge red flag for the prospects of that company. Keep applying to new jobs, this is not a long-term company.
    via OrganicMix3499
  • Designer-Ad-7844 This could be illegal, check what you signed and local laws. Had a friend that was tenured employee and he reported company for changing policy and taking away hours already accrued, and got them back. This was in a red state too.
    via Designer-Ad-7844
  • OrganicMix3499 It should only apply to hires after the change. Complain to your boss and HR. If they do not grandfather you into the old policy, it tells all you need to know. It will be only the first time company screws you over, expect more screws. But do express to them it's BS, don't just be like "oh ok".
    via OrganicMix3499
  • Then you quietly take back that week, 30 minutes at a time. Work your pay, not your worth.
    via OrganicMix3499
  • C.. Typically, once given, they can't take away unless it was in error. A policy change should only affect actual new hires or renewal anniversaries. Everyone else should be grandfathered in.
    via CallMeHut
  • Technically, they can do what they want especially if it clearly states in the handbook that policies are subject to change at any time, but I would challenge them.
    via CallMeHut
  • roubba I'm so glad my country has a NES (national employment. standards) which give all full time employees 4 weeks annual leave and 2 weeks sick leave with part time on a pro-rata basis casuals get a 25% boost on base wages to compensate for lack of leave
    via roubba

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