How would you handle this?
I had to pre-schedule all of my available vacation back in January. Some new policy HR created to help managers approve vacations according to seniority. My first week is coming up soon which I’m happy to be taking because my body needs a break from unloading and sorting packages all day. I actually put in for a vacation change so I could take two weeks off instead of one but my manager denied it. I asked him why not since no one else was scheduled off on the department calendar. He told the warehouse center has been having attendance issues with employees and giving me more time off was going to cause more problems because everyone was going to want to change their pre-scheduled vacations. This isn’t fair. Not my problem if they don’t know how to manage employees, right. Should I go above my managers head with this request? What would you do?
As a Manager, I appreciate an employee who presents an evidence based case for reconsideration of a decision he or she believes should be different. If you have exemplary attendance, good work ethic and pleasant, positive demeanor a reasonable request based on that, and the idea that allowing you this is a direct appreciation in consideration of your performance could be quite effective. I would caution you on bringing up the "it's not fair" mantra. The fact is the decision here is perfectly fair. You accepted the vacation policy by both continuing your employment and following the initial implementation. Right or wrong, your manager has logic behind the decision regarding a modification, and if he deems that decision to be in the best interest of the department, those are decisions he is tesponsible to make. There may be other factors, to which you may not br privvy, that influence this decision.
Well, my opinion is not to try to get that change you requested. The point is, and I agree with the manager in this case, there is a schedule and it was proposed by yourself, nobody push you to do it, it was done by you freely. Even though no more people in your department is going to be out during the second week, HR as department is who handles those activities and for sure there is a lot work to do to succeed sending all that personnel to vacations and that is the main issue, HR is probably full of work at this time since it is summer time when most people want to be out of the company for vacations and to make the change it will imply a work to be redone which causes inconveniences. My suggestion for you is to take the week requested initially and to make a better schedule next time.
First and foremost if there are no issues with your attendance then it should not be a problem if you ask. Secondly, when scheduling vacation that far ahead often times things change and there needs to be an adjustment made. As long as the proper protocol is being followed then there should not be an issue with the change provided that it doesn't put the department or the company in a personnel shortage. Thirdly, as a former Manager there should be no retaliation on my part if you go over my head when you feel it is deemed necessary. I am not the be all or the end all of the company. Why penalize a good employee because of the unprofessionalism of others. Each person/case should be looked at individually.
I agree with Kent is ur vacation worth ur job in the long run
You can go over their heads, but remember that you don't report directly to them. Your manager will be working closely with you in the future, and as a former manager, going over my head about a decision I made would not be something I would forget easily. Better to stick to your original vacation plan. Your manager will appreciate this unless he/she is a tyrant.
Make sure you will not be putting the company in a bind if you're gone for two weeks. Showing a sense of loyalty to the company goes a long way.
Go over their head. It seems that the manager is more concerned with his job rather than the morale of the employees. If the manager is having attendance issues with other employees, you should not me penalized for his/her miss management.
was the vacation change within the vacation policy? If so then push for it. If not than its your fault for not changing according to the policy.
Hi Leo: I definitely think it's worth checking in with HR about your manager's decision, especially if there's nothing in your HR policy against taking two weeks off at a time. Let us know what ends up happening!
If I were you Leo, I would make sure that all my times and everything were correct on my checks; you want to be sure that the job is not doing anything funny with all your time including personal, vacation, sick days, etc.. Also make sure that you are doing your part as an employee by clocking in and out on time every day for work so this won't become a problem as well. Second, don't be discouraged about that vacation, if I were you I would wait another week and approach the head man in charge with an honest & positive attitude simply letting them know where you are coming from as far as needing a break. Only take one week off this time and then wait for two weeks or so for the other to give your job a chance to recooperate their staffing. Staffing is a very tough job when everyone calls off, be considerate of that and your job will be understanding to you needing a break. I hate to tell you, but most employers have feelings too, despite what we know sometimes.