Work Issue – What Should I Do?
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I forwarded all my documents and correspondence to the controller that specify my 22 “personal days”.
And he replied saying that I only have 10 vacation days and 12 sick days.
So I said yes, and you’ll see within these documents that it specifically says “to be used at your discretion”.
If he replies and says I’m not allowed to use my “sick” days I’m just going to say fine, you can expect me to call in sick on those days.
@Kate “Even if you did only have 10 days, why would 5 be too many to request?”
I requested some days for later in the year in addition to my week in May. Since apparently we’re so swamped, etc I wanted to get my requests in way ahead of time so as not to deal with this issue again. So I requested a long weekend in June and one at the end July.
It works out to 12 business days. Which, again, shouldn’t be an issue because my contract SAYS I have 22 days per year to use at my discretion.
Did they add that “at your discretion” wording in – it wasn’t already there? He is probably going to come back and say, “at your discretion means if you’re not feeling well.” Is it made clear somewhere in the emails that the 12 sick days can be used as PTO, taken together, boiled in advance, etc.?
It does seem like they are on your case for some reason.
If that’s the case I’m going to say great, you can expect me to call in sick on those days.
Here is exactly what was said during my negotiations:
Me: “Do you offer a set number of “personal days” or do you separate time off into vacation time, sick time, etc? I am currently receiving 21 “personal days” per year (which includes both vacation and sick time) to be used as I see fit. Does this work for you?”
Director: “With regards to the Personal Days we can work with this structure no problem.”
Director (when my contract was sent): “For our HR processing you will notice there are 10 vacation days allocated plus you will get 12 sick (personal) days per year that can be used at your own discretion. I hope this meets your needs.”
I’ve always gotten along with the general manager very well, so I’m not sure why this is such an issue. I’ve worked with her on many projects and we work well together, and I’ve always stood up for her when I’ve heard other employees talk shit.
I don’t get along very well with the sales director most of the time, we are often at odds, but things have been ok between us lately. We’ve mostly set aside our differences and been able to work together to get things done well. But she has nothing to do with HR or vacation requests or anything like that… those requests go through the general manager and the controller.
I dunno… management at my company really likes to make sure the separation between management and employees is very clear. They’re the kind of people who will tell you to do something just because they said so, and there’s zero room for discussion. I’m guessing this is some sort of power trip and they want to make sure I’m kept in my place.
Yeah that’s what may be going on. Also, if they know that you’re taking these trips to stay with your boyfriend in another country and work remotely, they may be trying to reign in that privilege. Either like you said, as a power thing, or because they decided it isn’t really in policy, or someone complained it isn’t fair. Or maybe not, who knows.
That language in the negotiation is ambiguous enough that I think they could tell you you misunderstood: you get 10 personal and 12 sick, to use at your discretion, but you can’t book the sick days in advance. I hope they don’t do that to you.
Well, that’s stupid of them. Because if I am entitled to those sick days, I am going to call in sick.
But I am trying to be considerate of my company and my colleagues by planning in advance. To make sure nobody is stuck picking up the slack if I’m sick. To make sure all tasks are covered.
As a manager, wouldn’t you prefer that to your employees just phoning it in?
Well yeah, but I wouldn’t have the balls to call in a week of sick days and fly to another country.
I feel your frustration though text.
When I was a manager and someone called out for a week we would require a doctors note per company standards. So, heads up on that too.
You are walking a fine line that could eventually lead to your dismissal.
You have stated you have been at odds with the Sales Director and it doesn’t appear you are making friends with the Controller by pushing the issue.
Did you ever think you might need those days later in the year for something important, like a real sickness, injury or worse? You also could really effect the policy for everyone else by pushing the issue.
