No. Your job is more important than a wedding.

You were hired for a short-fuse task. If you had been in a full-time job, there probably would have been no problem, but your employer needs every one he hired under the contract; two weeks off for you would have (possibly) spoiled his schedule, probably posing problems for others on your Team. Asking for two weeks was rather irresponsible on your part. Maybe he could have spared you a couple of days, which you could have combined with a weekend and an airline ticket, to get you out there for the wedding, at least.

Hi Mary being that you have strict guidelines at your work. Calling in sick would require a doctors notice saying how many days you can't work. I don't know of any doctor who would do this unless you actually had an illness. Im glad you dont have an illness that would prevent you from working. Im sorry you can't go. If you have a vacation time coming up plan ahead by doing everything you do at home while on vacation do that now on your time off or if you dont have anything to do at home while on vacation great. Go visit family at this time. Ps don't go investigate your co contractor if they had a doctors note you'll be very angry if he didnt have one and they will label you a trouble maker for asking . just do a good job dont have discontent in your heart they'll be looking out these 4 months and if you mess up their won't be a next contract work for you. No good deed goes unpunished being that you gave 2 weeks advanced notice. Remember check everything you do and dont kiss up to the person you asked time off from but be more pleasant to them and dont discuss any of this with co workers you never know who can sabotage your work

Hi Mary, I'm sorry you had to miss your family event. :( Unfortunately, even though missing the event stinks, you need to consider your situation as completely separate from your colleague's. You're accountable for (only) your own behavior, so you need to make decisions based on what you think is right and accept the consequences that come along with them.

You weren't sick and took the right path to get the time off. The manager's decision didn't go your way, but you behaved in the right way. My guess is that this extends to your behavior in other ways & that people notice more than you might think. (Also, you never know what transpires between two people - perhaps your colleague is experiencing "consequences" you're unaware of.)

Your good character may be the deciding factor of who gets the next job/opportunity and we all know what goes around comes around. I commend you on taking the high road.

Best regards, Marijoy

I understand where you heart is asking for the time off with plenty of notice and I would even go as far to say that there are many employers out there (contract or other) that would have given you the time off as a courtesy. Consider the terms of the contract you have with that assignment. As a contractor on a short term assignment you might not have unpaid or paid time off benefits in the employment agreement making it so the employer is not under any responsibility to grant your those days of notice or otherwise. However, most states have some strict sick time labor laws that require employers to grant a certain number of sick days no matter the employment level (pt, ft, contract). I think you did the right thing giving notice and frankly.. I would have done the same thing if faced with your particular situation. For future reference it’s always better to get informed and be aware of your rights before you make these request. You sound like a good and honest worker. I hope this experience doesn’t cause you to shift on your integrity and good work habits.