How should I ask for time off from work?

[TechAZ]

Ok, so I took the advice that you guys gave me and asked if I can leave early by starting work early. Now I regret ever asking him this question. Basically he said no I cannot leave work early regardless of whether I start early or not. He look shocked when I asked him this question and I felt so stupid for even trying to ask. Fuck, I'm like so paranoid about whether I might have damaged my prospects at advancement in the company.

Holy shit, for real? I give all my employees off so long as too many people don't have off the same day and work load isn't too high, and so long as they're not abusers of my generosity.

Would you having off on that day shift a significant workload onto other employees?

 

[moshquerade]

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!

just say:
i am getting married, need a week off.

 

[lsquare]

wow, glad i don't work at your company

 

[ahenkel]

See... this response show's the difference between people that work at McDonalds... and people who work in real jobs.

McDonalds = "come.. go... whatever...."

Real Job = "You just got hired and you want to change your schedule? Fuck no!"

Funny, but the worst job I ever had in terms of getting time off was McDonalds. First job I ever had and they required a 30 days in advance notice.

 

[TechAZ]

Yea, that's what my gut feeling is telling me. God this is so stupid. I should never have asked. I should have just kept my mouth shut and just worked. I guess this is going to be another one of those life lessons.

I wouldn't think like that. If there is a good reason why he "couldn't" give you off, or let you leave early....he should have stated the reasons without being an ass. And if you're a reasonable person, you would understand those reasons.

 

[ahenkel]

It almost sounds as though OP works in some type of call center. I know from previous experience those people are anal as all hell about sticking to the schedule.

 

[lsquare]

Holy shit, for real? I give all my employees off so long as too many people don't have off the same day and work load isn't too high, and so long as they're not abusers of my generosity.

Would you having off on that day shift a significant workload onto other employees?

Yes, I'm for real. Why would I bullshit about this? It doesn't make any sense why I would do something like that. Honestly, I thought there were going to be rational people on AT that would be able to help a 20-something that just started working in the real world. I have no real experience to rely on to guide me through this so hence I created this thread. Now, I regret going against my instincts and just not ask. In an economy like this, the last thing that I want to do is to damage my own economic interests.

I don't know man. The conversation was roughly 5 min. long. As soon as he said no, I immediately tried to "save" myself by basically apologizing for asking and that I was under heavily influenced by my university friends. I told him I should have had better judgment. Then I apologized again and told him that I am committed to my work.

 

[lsquare]

It almost sounds as though OP works in some type of call center. I know from previous experience those people are anal as all hell about sticking to the schedule.

No I don't and I would appreciate if you will stop making things up. I'm not doing any form of menial work.

 

[RKS]

Yes, I'm for real. Why would I bullshit about this? It doesn't make any sense why I would do something like that. Honestly, I thought there were going to be rational people on AT that would be able to help a 20-something that just started working in the real world. I have no real experience to rely on to guide me through this so hence I created this thread. Now, I regret going against my instincts and just not ask. In an economy like this, the last thing that I want to do is to damage my own economic interests.

I don't know man. The conversation was roughly 5 min. long. As soon as he said no, I immediately tried to "save" myself by basically apologizing for asking and that I was under heavily influenced by my university friends. I told him I should have had better judgment. Then I apologized again and told him that I am committed to my work.

Now your boss not only thinks that you are not committed to your job; he also thinks you are a pussy. BTW most any job that you have to beg off an hour early (and get rejected) I would consider 'menial'.

 

[GhettoFob]

Wow, that sucks..

 

[lsquare]

Now your boss not only thinks that you are not committed to your job; he also thinks you are a pussy. BTW most any job that you have to beg off an hour early (and get rejected) I would consider 'menial'.

Base on how you're using that word, it doesn't seem like you understand what menial means.

 

[TechAZ]

Base on how you're using that word, it doesn't seem like you understand what menial means.

You received legitimate advise here. What kind of person graduates from college, asks how to ask off from work, and feels like he put his job at risk just for asking off or to leave early? What we didn't know, is that your boss is either a fucking retard....or you have the social skills of a feral human and the way you asked off made him think you were the retard. All advise you were given was sound, by people who have real jobs.

 

[guyver01]

All advise you were given was sound, by people who have real jobs.

except noone took into account he just started a week ago.

if someone came into my office a week after i hired them, and told me they needed to change their schedule... i'd tell 'em i could change their schedule... permamently.

 

[TechAZ]

except noone took into account he just started a week ago.

if someone came into my office a week after i hired them, and told me they needed to change their schedule... i'd tell 'em i could change their schedule... permamently.

Maybe I'm too nice of a boss then. I've given people a day off, or let them leave early within their first 2 weeks. Then again, it depends on work load, etc.

 

[Schfifty Five]

lsquare, I still don't know why you couldn't have just shown up 30 minutes late to your alumni event.

Are they going to lock the doors strictly at 530pm or something?

Please explain why showing up late was not an option for you.

 

[TheVrolok]

Ok, so I took the advice that you guys gave me and asked if I can leave early by starting work early. Now I regret ever asking him this question. Basically he said no I cannot leave work early regardless of whether I start early or not. He look shocked when I asked him this question and I felt so stupid for even trying to ask. Fuck, I'm like so paranoid about whether I might have damaged my prospects at advancement in the company.

.. no surprise there. When in doubt, ALWAYS err on the side of caution, or.. look like an idiot/jackass in front of your brand new boss. Lesson learned I suppose.

 

[alkemyst]

What's the job and what's the position? If this were my boss, I'd have come back with something a bit stronger to not have my future set as his bitch.

If you had personal time available you should have mentioned "Well, I really need to leave an hour early on wednesday. I'd rather not have to take a whole personal day for this. It would be better for both of us."

 

[kranky]

Look, you have not permanently damaged your prospects. Work hard, be reliable, learn quickly, and in a couple months your boss won't even remember this happened.

 

[alkemyst]

lsquare, I still don't know why you couldn't have just shown up 30 minutes late to your alumni event.

Are they going to lock the doors strictly at 530pm or something?

Please explain why showing up late was not an option for you.

It's always an option, hell you can show up 5 mins before a movie is going to end too...not that most people want to do that.

IMHO he should have brought this up to the boss as soon as he knew, even the first day of hire.

"This isn't going to be normal for me, but I have an alumni event I already made plans for not knowing I'd have this job. I need to get out of here by 4pm on Wednesday...this will not be routine for me."

Everyone is entitled to a personal life outside of work as much as a company is entitled to your best while working. If a company doesn't believe in that, then it's not a company for me.

 

[aceO07]

I'm not sure what your role is at your job, but it sounds strict. Too bad your boss wouldn't let you leave early. Not a big deal to show up late to the party, most people will be late anyways.

When I joined my current job, I had to take a few days off for a white water rafting trip and misc in the first month. Since I was new and had no vacation days yet, I had to borrow from my future vacation days. Nobody seemed to mind.

 

[bruceb]

I hope for your sake, this will not be a long term employer. Seems like with his / their practices and rules, this job will end up being lousy long term, with little advancement, raises or other perks coming anytime soon. Also check your state labor laws to see if there is any legitimate reason he can have for denying your simple 1hr off request. After all, you were making up for the time, work load wise. Any job, where you can't be late or leave a bit early now and then without retribution, is no place to be at.

 

[guyver01]

If you had personal time available you should have mentioned "Well, I really need to leave an hour early on wednesday. I'd rather not have to take a whole personal day for this. It would be better for both of us."

Who has personal time after a week on the job?

i swear... some of the dingbats here are making assumptions without reading the whole thread...

 

[RKS]

Base on how you're using that word, it doesn't seem like you understand what menial means.

Fine, while your job may not be menial, but your boss still considers you a a lowly, dispensable peon.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Base on how you're using that word, it doesn't seem like you understand what menial means.

Why won't you tell us what your job is?

Seriously, I've never had any problems with these kinds of requests. Heck, I've even been able to take entire weeks off with just a few days notice. In your case, it was just a really bad idea to ask after only being there for a week for an event which quite frankly, is not important.

Even still, your boss acted like an asshole. A simple "Sorry, I can't allow that right now" would have been sufficient. My wife has been at her new job for about 3 weeks and needed to leave early Thursday to come out to the house for a final walkthrough of some work some contractors did. Granted, that is far more important than an alumni event, but she had no problem leaving a couple of hours early.

Just work hard and produce good results, and it will be forgotten in no time. Don't listen to these guys that say "It has ruined your career there!!11!!!1!!!," as quite frankly, they don't know what they're talking about and are only correct if the company and your boss are REALLY awful. If you produce good results and they STILL hold a grudge for a simple request, this company isn't worth working for.

 

[IndyColtsFan]

Who has personal time after a week on the job?

My wife, for starters.