There’s nothing like a good, long holiday to get away from work, recharge your batteries, and give you a fresh perspective on what life is all about. There can be no quality work without quality rest, nearly everyone knows that. However, even though it seems completely natural to take some time off so you’re fresh and brimming with energy again, far from every employer is happy with that and, in the end, many employees feel guilty about asking to go on holiday.
That’s exactly the issue that Twitter user Lordsprout tackled in a viral online post. She said that the idea of “requesting” time off is “insane” and that we should be talking about “notifying” our employers when we won’t be at work. “They don’t own you; you simply sell them your time. You notify them as a courtesy so they can staff accordingly. They can’t dictate your life,” she said.
In response, some employees shared exactly what happened to them when they asked for some time off. You know, something that’s entirely normal. However, what they shared might just make your jaw drop with how unfair things seem.

Image credits: lordsprout
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Couldn't you just turn of the cell phone??... why would anyone want any phone call when in labor??
This is insane to me, where I'm from time off for your wedding, birth of a child, a death in the family, etc are protected by law. It's just a couple of days, but no one can stop you from taking them. You also can't be denied time off if you request it a month in advance. WTAF.
Yes and no. Unless you are the ONLY employee, there really are a lot of other people to consider, and being hardnosed about the week you choose can make you just as much the a***. As someone whose spouse was always giving up the a desired vacation week because some co-worker REFUSES to budget on WHATEVER week that person chooses each year, I've seen firsthand how co-workers can be awful, ugly, and self-centered, and their bosses are often just doing their best to accommodate multiple requests for the same dates. Let's face it--unless a company closes for each holiday, most employees try to utilize the same times of the year for vacation to get those extra holiday days off. Also now that my spouse is corporate and over several other managers, he STILL often gives up his choice of vacation week if an employee insists on a specific week, now as boss doing what he wishes had been done to accommodate him over the years. Not all employees are righteous victims of the big bad bosses here.
Is it just me or did you read that as 'Super here's my please turn over request'?
This is disturbing in many ways. There are quite a few places in the world where these practices are illegal (16h days, threatening termination when taking leave, 24h shifts). Of course people need to earn to provide for themselves and their families but at what cost of life quality? The USA oriented posts here show that (some) norms and values of US society are outdated, unsustainable, and unhealthy for the mind and general mindset. For foreigners the USA seems to be (increasingly) on a slippery slope downwards. It is inconceivable that such practices are accepted by the people. I hope this person is doing better now.
You got the traditional severance. The luck of not being in a “right to work” state.
Small scale kitchens in resort towns were the worst for time off. There’s none, as they’re only open maybe 10mos/year. You’re there the whole time and then off and unpaid during “off season”. Good luck filing job-attached unemployment unless your boss loves you, there’s no 2 weeks paid vacation and OT does NOT kick in at 40hrs. Oh, no health insurance either, and almost no calling in sick. You show up and if you actually look/sound bad enough you might get sent home. Maybe. ‘Murica!
Crappy Manager Playbook. Basically telling you 'go and hector Sally into rescinding her non-essential holiday request so I don't have to get off my backside and, you know, manage anything.'
I would have pretended to think I put him on hold and was calling an employment lawyer. You know. " Hang on boss, I'll be right back ,just hold a sec. Beep boop ( tones really loud in his ear from fake dialing. ) Hello is this (Whoever in your area instills fear, in our area the guys name is actually Buzzard like the bird) MR Buzzard? Do I have a case for you!!"
You shouldn't get in trouble for being unavailable, when in hospital.
Reprehensible. Interestingly, these bosses eventually behave the same way in their personal lives.
Had the same thing an a previous job when I told them IN ADVANCE, meaning before I even started, that I was going back to college, and that I would register for classes early so I could give them a copy of my schedule well in advance of the schedule being made. At first, it was cool. Then the cool boss retired, and an anti-intellectual asshole took their place. Suddenly, I saw myself put on the schedule at times I would be sitting in class. If you went to college, you know what it’s like to reschedule classes last minute. When I said I gave them my school schedule weeks ago, they said I needed to choose school or the job. I took the issue to that boss’ boss. Didn’t happen again, but then the retaliation started. Every time, I would go to that same higher-up, and things would settle down for a while. After three more years of that s**t, I graduated, got another job and was overjoyed to put in my notice.
Screwed up situation or not, he failed the CYA policy. CYA means getting everything in writing. (having said that, his boss was an ass)
I always tell my bosses I'm going on a cruise and will not have cell reception.
What does DV stand for? Excuse my ignorance if it's something really obvious.
This happened to me when I asked the deputy head and he refused in an unpleasant way. I said "I AM going to my cousin's funeral" left his office, told the person who arranges cover and went to the funeral. (It was the next day. Jewish funerals happen quickly.) I didn't get into trouble as I wasn't in the wrong.
As someone who is in the US, can confirm that these were all most likely in the US. I'm luckily working for an international company at the moment that actually cares about us and forces us to take time off every month.
Load More Replies...I am deeply grateful I am living in a country with decent workers‘ rights. Not everything’s perfect, but could straight up take your employer to court for a lot of these cases.
I'm in the UK and although our rights are protected it still really hurts if your boss is nasty about something like time off for a funeral. You can't legislate against ars*oles.
Load More Replies...Most of these must be American, the best thing about working and living in Europe, is that holiday and workers rights are protected, I am not saying we are not sometimes exploited, but we have more protection.
We have more protection but some aspects are really bad, like internships, temp or migrant jobs.
Load More Replies...As someone who is in the US, can confirm that these were all most likely in the US. I'm luckily working for an international company at the moment that actually cares about us and forces us to take time off every month.
Load More Replies...I am deeply grateful I am living in a country with decent workers‘ rights. Not everything’s perfect, but could straight up take your employer to court for a lot of these cases.
I'm in the UK and although our rights are protected it still really hurts if your boss is nasty about something like time off for a funeral. You can't legislate against ars*oles.
Load More Replies...Most of these must be American, the best thing about working and living in Europe, is that holiday and workers rights are protected, I am not saying we are not sometimes exploited, but we have more protection.
We have more protection but some aspects are really bad, like internships, temp or migrant jobs.
Load More Replies...
