New Job- asking for time off

wesleycrusher · October 2014

I start a new job in the middle of November. I had planned to be away for 3 days after Thanksgiving for a trip with my best friend (we were supposed to go back in Sept but we are going to see a concert and the show was postponed until Dec). So I accepted the job last week, and mentioned to HR that I had this trip planned, I was told to ask my new manager if it would be possible to have off. I could cancel the trip- although I'd be out the money and my friend and I don't ever get to do anything together, so we are both looking forward to it. It's not worth jeopardizing the job over, but I feel like it doesn't hurt to ask because having the days off may not be a big deal at all.

I can send the manager an e-mail or call, but I'm blanking on wording. Any suggestions? Or should I just forget the trip entirely?

vlagrl29 · October 2014

I say if you had it planned, it's best to let the boss know. I would call rather than email. Just tell him/her that you already had the trip planned on the calendar before you interviewed for the job. It should be ok.

strickland8052 · October 2014

I would call or talk to him/her in person. I would say something like, "I'm really excited to begin my new position here, but I did want to talk to you about a vacation that I had already planned before accepting this job. The trip is scheduled for (insert dates). I told HR about it when I accepted the position, and they said I should talk to you about it. Would it be OK if I take off during these dates?"

hoffse · October 2014

I like Strickland's suggestion.

I will say that in my workplace, these sorts of trips are acceptable for things like weddings that you are in, etc. Obviously you have no control over those dates. In my case my husband and I were engaged and had set a date for our wedding before I accepted my job, and I was allowed to take a couple days for the wedding and a week for our honeymoon even though I had not worked more than 6 months and technically hadn't accrued that time. The people I worked for recognized that I really couldn't change the dates of my wedding, and I obviously didn't know what our PTO policies were before I took the job with them.

I don't think they would have been crazy about a random trip with a friend, though. If you ask, I would just make it clear that you can cancel if they need you there.

englishtrish1 · October 2014

As a manager, I have 2 questions.. Are you in an industry where people work on the actual holiday and will you still be in Orientation at Thanksgiving? If you worked for me, I would appreciate a call ASAP.

abrewer5 · October 2014

I agree with PPs that you should notify the manager ASAP by phone, not email. I've had a similar situation in the past (when I worked at a bank) and my H had a similar situation when he started his new job before we got married and had already set the date for the wedding/booked the honeymoon. If you tell them upfront they generally don't mind, but it's best to give them plenty of notice and let them know you can cancel if possible.

Xstatic3333 · October 2014

I agree with PPs; nothing wrong with asking by phone, but it's really good that you offer to cancel. Whether you get the "yes" will really just come down to your office culture.

Erikan73 · October 2014

strickland8052 said:

I would call or talk to him/her in person. I would say something like, "I'm really excited to begin my new position here, but I did want to talk to you about a vacation that I had already planned before accepting this job. The trip is scheduled for (insert dates). I told HR about it when I accepted the position, and they said I should talk to you about it. Would it be OK if I take off during these dates?"

I think this is perfect

jtmh2012 · October 2014

I took a new job last July. Had a cruise that had been booked for over a year at that point for the September after I got hired. Was already beyond final payment. Flights had been booked. Needed to be out about a week and a half. Had mentioned this to them when I interviewed. The good thing is that the recruiter ran it by the CEO (small company) during my interview/hiring process, so I already had it approved before accepting the position.

I think most companies are understanding as long as you're upfront about it.

shakinros · October 2014

A lot of this is good, but I wouldn't offer to cancel before anyone has said there's a problem with you being away.

"Hi new boss. I'm so excited to get started. When I accepted the job with HR, I told them I have a trip planned November x-x, and they asked me to let you know directly." Then stop talking and let your new manager respond. If it's a non-issue, then no reason to introduce the idea of you canceling.

Congrats on the new job!

ab6704a · October 2014

Just to throw this in there also, be prepared to take that time off as unpaid leave depending on whether you're hourly vs salaried and how your vacation time is handled. I once accepted a job in June and already had plans for a week off in July. The trip was ok'd by my new boss but since I didn't have any vacation time saved up at that point I was told I had to take it as unpaid time off.

jtmh2012 · October 2014

ab6704a said:

Just to throw this in there also, be prepared to take that time off as unpaid leave depending on whether you're hourly vs salaried and how your vacation time is handled. I once accepted a job in June and already had plans for a week off in July. The trip was ok'd by my new boss but since I didn't have any vacation time saved up at that point I was told I had to take it as unpaid time off.

Good addition. I forgot to mention this earlier on my post. I had all of 2 vacation days for my week and a half trip. I was mentally prepared to take it unpaid, but that didn't help the shock I got when I saw the next paycheck.

New Job- asking for time off

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