Retail employee books time off four months ahead, manager pressures them to cancel part of it after coworkers complain: ‘Think of the other people who wouldn't get it off’

Author image for Cata Holmes
Cata Holmes • Writer
Jul 5, 2026 11:15 AM EDT

Can your employer take back approved time off because someone else wants it?

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. And that can certainly happen when we are talking about requesting time off at work. This employee had a vacation planned at a winery, and requested a couple of days in advance… four months in advance to be exact. Suddenly, just when the vacation days were arriving, the managers called them and asked them to reconsider the days off since other managers complained about it. The weird thing is that the manager who complained was the one who had approved those days before… things started to get fishy in there.

I'll let you find out by yourself what happened with this story, although needless to say, it's an unfortunate situation to have to deal with. I really don't understand how sometimes things cannot work on their own. I mean, if a manager approves your days off, then there's no way those days can be changed. And especially when we're talking about a vacation. Attractions, restaurants, and accommodations get booked in advance, and sometimes, a few of them demand to be paid before arrival.

By the end of the story, the OP mentions there's nothing special going on that week, so there's no reason why they would like them to change (or reschedule) the vacation. In their minds, there's something more complicated going on, and it even would seem to be personal. Of course, there's no evidence of that, so the employee has to see what's going to happen with their days off.

The most important thing, and I celebrate that they've done this, is to demand whatever that you feel you deserve, mainly when it comes to work-related things. If you requested a couple of days off in advance because of a vacation, you're entitled to demand them if, for some reason, they are revoked. Let me know in the comments what your opinion is on this situation because, although it seems unreal, there are situations where these things are common and happen more than we would think.  

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  • Retail worker reviews inventory checklist while preparing for a busy shift in a grocery store.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    A representation of a retail worker reviews inventory checklist while preparing for a busy shift in a grocery store.

  • I have been in a full time management experience at a retail store for a couple of years
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • For context, I put in a request back in March for 2 days off (Saturday + Sunday) for July. These two days were accepted and approved same day. 2 months later, my plans that weekend are extended, me and my friends booked an airbnb at a Winery for a getaway and we wanted 2 full days to enjoy our trip apart from the 5-7 hour drive there and back. These extra days were approved in writing when I sent a message saying I was booking the Monday off. So in total 4 days of requested unpaid time off.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • This time off was important as the old assistant manager who quit (thank Jesus) had a birthday that weekend and always had that weekend booked off. So this was my first year to actually attend this annual event.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • More context: our work week is Sun-Sat and we usually get 2-3 days off a week, I booked 2 days from the one week and technically two days off from the new week.)
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • Fast forward to yesterday (2 weeks away from the trip) I'm sitting on break and my store manager starts talking about my days off... she kinda started it off by saying that you cant book 4 days off consecutively in one week and then added that another manager voiced frustration and said it wasn't fair I booked those days off.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • I explained that it was a one time thing, that this was approved by her months in advance and that I had talked in detail to the other manager that voiced "frustration". (And one of the requests was approved by the frustrated one!!!)
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • She starts going on about how it's not allowed and that I essentially took the weekend from the other 4 managers and that I needed to "reconsider" my days off. Now, for more context, this manager has been known to choose her words wisely to not face issues from HR.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • But I on the other hand am taking the "reconsider your days off", more like intimidation and pressure. I think that waiting 2 weeks before everything is paid and confirmed when this could've been brought up earlier is more inconvenient than those days off.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • She told me to put in a PTO request because she couldn't guarantee I'd get those days off anymore and that she would let me know what days she'd need me.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • The issue with PTO, is that I got badly sick for a month and burned through 5 sick days, after that the company pushed vacation pay instead and did not communicate or ask me if they could use that. Since then I took 2 weeks off and did not have enough vacation pay to cover all of that in time. I communicated this to her and said that that was a separate issue but she just circled back to the weekend off.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • She would not back off until she showed me the schedule and said that she made it to accommodate me but to think of the other people who wouldn't get it off, including her. She shows me a schedule for a different period and shows that she has put in PTO for 5 days consecutively the following weekend. I told her I'd look into my days but did not promise anything.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • There are no inventories or big things happening during this time, I am currently being under scheduled hours wise due to cutbacks. As another example, 2/4 managers are taking time off and overlapping for 7 days.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • I don't know what to do, this seems hella shady and no real issue is being presented in my eyes? The schedule is usually done by her 2-3 months in advance and this seems totally out of nowhere.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • Grocery store worker restocks frozen products during routine retail operations.
    via Unsplash+ (via Kateryna Hliznitsova)

    A representation of a grocery store worker restocks frozen products during routine retail operations.

  • I genuinely don't know what to do, I feel like this will be brought up again and I'm scared she will treat me differently when I see her again. She could see I was visibly upset/annoyed but she rushed out before I could say anything else.
    via CryingInWalmartt

  • After sharing their situation online, this employee received plenty of reactions from people who had strong opinions about vacation requests, workplace fairness, and whether management was handling the situation correctly. Here are some of the most notable responses.

  • CaptainSnappertain You tell her you reconsidered it and decided you will indeed be taking those days off as requested and approved. Then take those days off and have fun. If she treats you differently, she treats you differently. Treat HER differently.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • ParkerGroove Even in retail, managers (humans) sometimes need a few consecutive days off. Other managers step up. You were responsible and got approval well ahead of time. You won't be available to come in so it's best that they don't plan on it.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • Seasons71 Four Don't put in a PTO request. You have the time off and it has been approved. Can you email everyone (all mgrs & HR) to confirm that you "have 4 approved days off across 2 workweeks- see attached- and will not be changing those plans"? If she puts you on the schedule, just reply back to this email with "I have been scheduled to work on my approved days off. I will not be available to come in to work on these days. Please adjust the schedule." How screwed are you if you lose this job
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • Solid Mongoose_3269 "Guess you should have looked at accepted PTO then" and move on. Scheduling is part of the job, if it was potentially an issue they should have reviewed and maybe coordinated people better.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • Retail manager oversees store inventory while team member stocks fresh produce shelves.
    via Unsplash+ (via Getty Images)

    A representation of a retail manager oversees store inventory while team member stocks fresh produce shelves.

  • Crystalraf You lost me at "you can't take 4 days off consecutively" You absolutely can and should, as much as possible.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • SideEyedSloth Your time has been approved I wouldn't discuss it any further nor put in a PTO request. The only thing I'd discuss is her bu ying/intimidation tactics with HR.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • kickyourfeetup10 Sorry to hear you have such an awful job. Enjoy your trip.
    via CryingInWalmartt
  • ThereRnolDs Everybody's just manipulating & fighting for the days they want etc. If you know your in & outs, you can just call them all out on it & show where all the leeches are. Eg. Leeches need additional staff to babysit them.
    via CryingInWalmartt

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employee manager work time off PTO vacation
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