Would this tick you off ?

[sze5003]

I was able to carry over 5 PTO days after December. I had to use them before march 1st.

Been really busy with work release and elevations in December and January. So I decided taking a day or 2 each week of February off. Turns out my manager says there's a release coverage needed from next week up to the 25th and denied me the paid time off.

This sucked and I've been kinda burned out. Seems he only approved one day on the 28th. He always told me I should take days off because I never really do. Yet this time it's like the building is going to collapse if I'm missing two days next week and one day the week after.

My team members thought this was unfair and my tech lead also felt bad and basically said to call in sick if I want. But I don't do that so I guess I'm stuck losing the days I carried over.

What would you do?

Prod support sucks feels like I'm always working 24/7 and with the commute its depressing and tiring. Can't wait until April when I can post out to another team preferably a project team.

 

[homebrew2ny]

How long of a lead time did you give him?

It's usually appropriate to give at least 2 weeks minimum and ideally a month ahead of time. It stinks to lose vacation time but if not enough time was given in advance notice and your efforts are required then 'them are the breaks' as the saying goes...

 

[Tweak155]

Do they not get paid out? I'd be livid.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

It is unfair but, you did it to yourself. You've trained them to expect you to be there and take care of things. I do the same thing myself. I end up losing sick days but, I take my PTO and never respond to "emergency" calls.

 

[BoomerD]

Fuck that...take the days.

Tell the manager to approve them...or pay them with your regular pay.

 

[sze5003]

There really isn't a required time to give before taking off unless you will be out more than a week at once.

We have 3 teams and we rotate on call so it's not like no one will be there. Plus we all have decent knowledge of the project apps each team works on.

Generally what I was told if you take 1-2 days off let them know 2-3 before. If you take a week or more at once , yes 2 weeks is required.

I put in for thurs and Friday next week on Monday and the other 3 days I was gonna use Each Friday.

And no they don't get payed back to me.

 

[amdhunter]

Quit. There are plenty of jobs out there. Obama says so himself every month.

 

[EagleKeeper]

Fuck that...take the days.

Tell the manager to approve them...or pay them with your regular pay.

Or approve them to be rolled over for 2013, either officially or unofficially. If unofficial, get it in writing to it does not backfire.

Taking the days without permission could end up with a loss of pay for those days or permanently.

I had that situation where 3 weeks were in a use it/lose it and management went to bat to bank it. 6 months layer, I transferred across country and the new project would not take the hours.

As compensation, I was given 4 weeks to get from CA to VA on expenses with the understanding that I had to travel 300 miles each day to claim expenses for that day.

 

[homebrew2ny]

There really isn't a required time to give before taking off unless you will be out more than a week at once.

We have 3 teams and we rotate on call so it's not like no one will be there. Plus we all have decent knowledge of the project apps each team works on.

Generally what I was told if you take 1-2 days off let them know 2-3 before. If you take a week or more at once , yes 2 weeks is required.

I put in for thurs and Friday next week on Monday and the other 3 days I was gonna use Each Friday.

And no they don't get payed back to me.

Seems like you have played by the rules then, and yeah, many places including mine has a 'use it or lose it' agreement. It's especially harsh with me because I get 5 weeks vacation per year and routinely lose 2 +/- of them due to conflicting schedules.

Having said that, I know if I ever asked to use them out of the window allotted due to conflicting work interests then I am pretty sure it would be extended. Perhaps you could/should ask if you could have the days extended to when you can use them seeing you are playing by the rules and are simply being denied?

 

[DaveSimmons]

It depends on what the rules are for asking for time off. If you knew you needed to ask 2 months in advance for it to be guaranteed, instead of 2-3 weeks, then it's your fault. Waiting until the last minute was a risk, especially when you knew the time would expire.

Can you take it up with HR? Point out politely that you are not being allowed to take your time off before it will expire and asking for either the cash or an extension on when the days expire?

 

[sze5003]

I guess I can ask if he will let me carry them over some more even though they aren't supposed to.

I know they won't pay me for them they only pay you back if you buy extra days.

Normally I get 20 days of PTO to use as sick and vacation days. Last year I only used 2-3.

I wouldn't quit but if I wanted to I would wait. I know my resume is still out there from 2009-2010 and I've been getting stupid recruiters calling all the time even though I haven't updated that stuff in forever.

 

[djnsmith7]

I would request that they either pay you out for the PTO days or let you have them off. Either way, you're doing your diligence by requesting the days off far enough in advance.

 

[highland145]

I've had 2 days off this year, woot....I may be done. I had 3 days off each year for the last 5 years. STFU....get self employed and then come back and bitch. And let's discuss you benefits.

Thanks.

 

[sze5003]

I've had 2 days off this year, woot....I may be done. I had 3 days off each year for the last 5 years. STFU....get self employed and then come back and bitch. And let's discuss you benefits.

Thanks.

I'm not bitching I dont mind working and being self employed is not my choice. Works for some not everyone. Point of it was how others would approach the situation.

I've never abused the policy like some people have but when management is all politics and making yourself look good to upper level then they have to do what they must.

It all depends how your manager is. If it was up to my pm he wouldnt care. I already finished my work for the next two weeks until the new load comes in.

 

[highland145]

I'm not bitching I dont mind working and being self employed is not my choice. Works for some not everyone. Point of it was how others would approach the situation.

I've never abused the policy like some people have but when management is all politics and making yourself look good to upper level then they have to do what they must.

It all depends how your manager is. If it was up to my pm he wouldnt care. I already finished my work for the next two weeks until the new load comes in.

Well, that was a pretty shitty post by me. Apologies.

 

[ch33zw1z]

My employers policy is no carry over days. So when I'm presented with the plea "we need ya, can you carry over those days" my answer is no. Use 'em or lose 'em.

 

[sze5003]

Well, that was a pretty shitty post by me. Apologies.

No worries no offense taken.

My employers policy is no carry over days. So when I'm presented with the plea "we need ya, can you carry over those days" my answer is no. Use 'em or lose 'em.

We never had carry over days until now. In fact, one guy took off the whole month of December. He was under another manager. Year end is very hectic for us I dunno how he did that.

Oh well, it is the way it is. Now I won't feel bad or think twice about using my days. Working extra hours on projects and the commute has burned me out. What sucks is even if you plan to work just 8 hours like you are expected, actually you are expected to do 7.5hrs, you get sucked in ti doing extra crap.

One thing this guy does is holds meetings at 4pm or 430 and they are stupid and pointless and last until 530 or 6pm. By the time I get home its almost 8.

If they payed more I could afford to live here like everyone else.

 

[ch33zw1z]

2012 was crazy busy for us. I had to put off about 75% of my vaca until november/december, oh well.

 

[Rifter]

I would tell him he has a choice, approve the days off or pay you out for them. Pick one and let me know. If he doesnt pick then just dont show up on the days that you requested off and im sure he will get the picture.

 

[kranky]

Under the circumstances you outlined, I would ask to carry them over longer. Then schedule them with more advance notice.

 

[sze5003]

Looks like I'll loose the days and I can't roll them over longer or get payed for them. He still hasn't approved the day before march 1st which is when the elevation is over.

Funny thing is my pm requested off this Wednesday today. He hasn't gotten back to him on that. I'll be suprised if it's approved.

 

[wirednuts]

Fuck that...take the days.

Tell the manager to approve them...or pay them with your regular pay.

yup. just tell him as a matter of fact... "thats ok. i will work those days. are you going to put the 40 hours of overtime on this weeks check or next weeks?

 

[sze5003]

I wish I got overtime but we don't on salary. I'll have to go in at 4am Friday and another day next week so that way my coverage is done and I can head home around lunch on those days.

 

[postmortemIA]

you can't ask them to pay for them, companies have policies for paying off PTO. Usually if such rule even exists it means you tell them months ahead or once per year that you want to sell your PTO. If you don't follow the rule, or it does not exist, then it is "use them or lose them"

 

[Schmide]

Get in his mind. Tell him it's ok if he lets you start wearing hats.