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Planning a long vacation
My husband and I are planning on taking a 3 week vacation to New Zealand in December or January and I need to tell my bosses. I want to give them lots of notice. The thing is, I am a little scared to bring the topic up.
I work for a small company, and I?m the only person that does my job. Nobody really takes much vacation around here, except my boss who takes 2 weeks every August. They can?t tell me no, right?
So tell me please, what?s the best way to go about talking to your employer about taking a long vacation?
We have a weekly meeting every Wednesday (me and the 3 bosses) and I?m wondering if just bringing it up at one of these meetings is the best approach or if I should schedule a time to sit down with my big boss and tell him.
I haven?t taken an actual vacation since our honeymoon in 2007, which was a week long. I have taken a day here or there but otherwise nothing.
Any advice, or am I just crazy to worry about it?
Re: Planning a long vacation
Of course they can tell you no. Why would think otherwise? Vacation scheduling is always subject to manger approval.
I would talk to your boss to see if yo can take 3 weeks off and when it might be best to do so. If they say you can't take all 3 weeks are you willing to take 2 weeks? Be prepared to negotiate.
Of course they can say no, and they actually might not okay three weeks off. Hell, I was only given four weeks for maternity/adoption leave! I would absolutely not go to your employer and tell them that you are taking three weeks. I would approach them and say that you and your husband would really like to take a three week vacation, and ASK if it would be possible for you to take that much time off. Don't be surprised if they say no, and if they do, find out how long they are comfortable with you taking. Honestly, I can't imagine any of the employers I have worked for (also small businesses) being okay with three weeks off for anything other than having a baby or a medical issue.
My mom was in a similar position years ago when she and my dad planned a four week trip to Spain. My mom's employer wouldn't approve it, even as unpaid leave, so she resigned from her job. She didn't really need to work and since she's a nurse, at the time it was easy to find another job. However, if you need or want to keep your job, like I said before - you need to ask permission rather than just tell them that this is what you are doing.
Like PP's said, they can absolutely tell you no. Why would you think otherwise?
The Rowdy Roberts
Nice sentiment, but that's not the way it works.
You may also want to see if your company has a policy on how long you can take off. Some limit it to 2 weeks.
GL
Our little Irish rose came to us on March 5, 2010
Don't drink the water.
Disclaimer: I am not an MD. Please don't PM me with pregnancy-related questions. Ask your doctor.