How should I ask for time off from work?

[lsquare]

I know this is a bit of a stupid question, but I'm not sure how to ask my boss for some time off. I got a new job last week and so far things have been pretty smooth. My alma mater is having an alumni event next Wednesday. I really want to go, but I don't get off work until 5 PM. The event starts at 5:30 PM and it'll take at least 1 hour of driving to get there. I really want next Wednesday off, but because I'm so new to the job, I'm afraid of damaging my prospects in the company especially after getting the job so recently. Do you guys think I should just forget about the event then? If not, how should I approach my boss and ask for time off? The idea of getting off work early (say 4 PM) went through my head, but I'm not sure sure if he'll be ok with that.

Thx for the help in advance!

 

[TechAZ]

You say "I know this is really short notice, but there is an alumni event next Wednesday that I really would like to go to. I should have asked earlier, but it slipped my mind. Is there any way I can have the day off? If that would put a strain on work here, maybe I can just leave at 4pm if that's at all possible."

I can't believe you really need advise for this. Don't make this into a habit, I cannot believe this is so important that you didn't ask off more than a week ahead of time.

 

[zerocool84]

Don't ask for the day off since you've only been there a short time, ask to if you can leave at 4.

 

[ahenkel]

Don't ask for the day off since you've only been there a short time, ask to if you can leave at 4.

This seems like the most sensible approach.

 

[eldorado99]

I wouldn't ask at all but I've been known to put work ahead of everything else (except neffing).

 

[theflyingpig]

Skip the damn alumni event. Jesus fucking Christ. You just started a new job, and you aren't responsible enough to think ahead and ask for time off early, and now you want to go and make yourself look like a fool. Pathetic. Skip the damn event. There will be more like it. If I were your boss and you asked for Wednesday off for something like that, I'd tell you "sure, and take off Thursday too. Oh, why don't you just take the rest of the decade off while you're at it." That's what I would tell you, because that's what you deserve. Everyone knows this.

 

[wiredspider]

Why do you need the day off for that? Just ask if you can leave at 4 or ask if you can come in early and leave early that day. Sheesh..

 

[Ancalagon44]

Yeah just leave at 4. Since its next wednesday, telling him today would be enough notice. Heck, in most non anal jobs you could tell him tuesday or even wednesday that you needed to leave a little early (provided you make the time up).

Dont ask the day off, too soon. Only time that would be acceptable is if it was a once in a lifetime trip and you had already booked and paid for it, and you told him before he hired you that you would require that time off in advance. Now asking for a day off so soon into your employment would make him worry you'll take him for a ride.

 

[deadlyapp]

Skip the damn alumni event. Jesus fucking Christ. You just started a new job, and you aren't responsible enough to think ahead and ask for time off early, and now you want to go and make yourself look like a fool. Pathetic. Skip the damn event. There will be more like it. If I were your boss and you asked for Wednesday off for something like that, I'd tell you "sure, and take off Thursday too. Oh, why don't you just take the rest of the decade off while you're at it." That's what I would tell you, because that's what you deserve. Everyone knows this.

I'm with the pig on this one.

 

[Jadow]

you need to take the day off for an event you will be 30 minutes late too?

1. Does it matter that you're 30 min late to this event? It will probably go on for hours
2. Do you really want to ask for time off on a job you've been at for a week when the real unemployment rate is 17%?

I would just work and show up late for the alumni

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

Turn up to your dumb event an hour late.

 

[duragezic]

I don't see a problem if you show up 30 minutes late to the event.

If you have to be there at 5pm, can't you just come in earlier? Come in at 7am and leave at 4pm? Depending the environment you probably don't even need to say anything. Either way I think it'd be foolish to ask for the day off, even if you had been there for a while, just because taking a day off when you really only need to leave 30 minutes early is a big difference.

 

[dfuze]

You can always tell him the situation and then offer to come in a 1/2 hour early and leave a 1/2 hour early. By explaining the reason for wanting to leave early they'll see it's not a random event that you plan on doing often.

 

[TheVrolok]

Skip the damn alumni event. Jesus fucking Christ. You just started a new job, and you aren't responsible enough to think ahead and ask for time off early, and now you want to go and make yourself look like a fool. Pathetic. Skip the damn event. There will be more like it. If I were your boss and you asked for Wednesday off for something like that, I'd tell you "sure, and take off Thursday too. Oh, why don't you just take the rest of the decade off while you're at it." That's what I would tell you, because that's what you deserve. Everyone knows this.

100% spot on. It's a new fucking job, you don't get a day off, damn.. people these days. Last job I worked I didn't even have the balls to take a day off the first 6 months; in fact, in their year I worked there I think I took 1 sick day/day off. People need to man up.

 

[xSauronx]

you need to take the day off for an event you will be 30 minutes late too?

1. Does it matter that you're 30 min late to this event? It will probably go on for hours
2. Do you really want to ask for time off on a job you've been at for a week when the real unemployment rate is 17%?

I would just work and show up late for the alumni

this. 30 - 60 minutes late shouldnt be a problem, and you wont look like a d-bag to the new boss

 

[meltdown75]

use your words

 

[Hacp]

Ask if you can skip lunch and leave at 4:30.

 

[rasczak]

i agree with everyone else. show up late to the event. it's not as important as the job.

 

[airdata]

This seems like the most sensible approach.

When you have been with the company a long time like my coworker, you can start taking days off to go see glenn beck and sarah palin, or call in sick because it's raining outside.

But if you've been there just a short time, I'd stick w\ the idea of at most asking to leave a little early.

 

[bignateyk]

If anything I would ask if you could start an hour early or skip lunch and leave at 4:30.

 

[mizzou]

politely

 

[bruceb]

I agree. Just ask to leave at 4PM .. say you will work through lunch. And as mentioned no one will care or notice if you don't get to the event at 5PM on the dot. They will still let you in and it will go on for a few hours at least.

 

[mvbighead]

If anything I would ask if you could start an hour early or skip lunch and leave at 4:30.

This. If arriving 1 hour early is acceptable, see if you can do it. For fuck's sake with all the ranting about not getting any time off at a new job. If you're a good employee and you don't pull this shit every month (IE - Less than 3-4 times a year) why would your employer really give a shit? If you get your job done and do it well, who cares.

Granted, if you're working retail, then you're probably screwed. But given you've been through college, I doubt you're working at the GAP.

Otherwise, get there late. Seems like the normal thing for most people these days.

 

[MJinZ]

Bitch I be gone for awhile aight?

 

[soulcougher73]

Just ask to leave at 4pm as everyone else has said. No need to take the whole day off for that. Im sure the boss wouldnt mind you leaving a whole hour early. Hell we all know nothing actually gets done after lunch time anyways. So its really no lose to anyone