Do you have to give a reason why you want to take a day off

[JoeyJoeC]

More of a rant, the new manager I have always asks for the reasons why I want to book a day or half day off. It's not in a friendly "oh doing something nice?" way, its more of a "You should never take days off, you can do those things at the weekend" kind of way.

 

Requested a half day for Thursday, got an instant response of "Why?". So I just said "Personal reasons".

 

Does anyone else get this too?

 

/rant

 

Edit: one other thing, I once took a couple of hours off to leave early, thinking it wouldn't be a problem since I work late occasionally and do the odd weekend. He later put it down as a half day off. I reminded him it was a couple of hours, so technically 1/4 day off, he said tough, the system only does increments of half day. argh!

[maroondevo52]

 

Requested a half day for Thursday, got an instant response of "Why?". So I just said "Personal reasons".

 

Does anyone else get this too?

 

/rant

 

Yes every time

[JoeyJoeC]

Yes every time

 

It's not that I'm secretive, I just don't want him knowing my personal life, hes a "I'm the alpha male" type of manager.

[Consumer dude]

More of a rant, the new manager I have always asks for the reasons why I want to book a day or half day off. It's not in a friendly "oh doing something nice?" way, its more of a "You should never take days off, you can do those things at the weekened" kind of way.

 

Requested a half day for Thursday, got an instant response of "Why?". So I just said "Personal reasons".

 

Does anyone else get this too?

 

/rant

 

I guess its how good or bad the relationship is. It may be just as easy sometimes just to go sick as some people like to deny some one with a firm no. Some people are just a snide..

[JoeyJoeC]

I guess its how good or bad the relationship is. It may be just as easy sometimes just to go sick as some people like to deny some one with a firm no. Some people are just a snide..

 

I guess it may have something to do with me being the first employee there, suppose to have been in his position, but the boss brought him in instead. He's on a completely different wavelength, had already made 2 staff quit, and seems like hes trying to make the other person in my position quit too.

 

The sort of guy that on Xmas eve, would get us to stay later and later when it was suppose to be a half day despite nothing to do!!

 

I'm not happy

[Consumer dude]

I guess it may have something to do with me being the first employee there, suppose to have been in his position, but the boss brought him in instead. He's on a completely different wavelength, had already made 2 staff quit, and seems like hes trying to make the other person in my position quit too.

 

The sort of guy that on Xmas eve, would get us to stay later and later when it was suppose to be a half day despite nothing to do!!

 

I'm not happy

 

I picked up on your sadness. Don't let him get to you, these type of people are often insecure..

[fkofilee]

No you dont have to tell him. Or maybe just tell him something different to what you are actually doing../.

[Sidewinder]

'I have a job interview' is not generally a wise response!

[reallymadwoman]

'I have a job interview' is not generally a wise response!

 

It was usually the one I used when I acutally had an interview, the assumption being that it had to be a joke reply!

[becky2585]

"I have 28 [or insert appropriate number here] days off per year and I have the right to enjoy them."

 

Simple really. My boss would never question it unless someone else was off and he thought I had a compelling reason - but I'd explain that anyway! The only time it should ever come up is the day before - "are you doing anything nice tomorrow?"

[san_d]

More of a rant, the new manager I have always asks for the reasons why I want to book a day or half day off. It's not in a friendly "oh doing something nice?" way, its more of a "You should never take days off, you can do those things at the weekend" kind of way.

 

Requested a half day for Thursday, got an instant response of "Why?". So I just said "Personal reasons".

 

Does anyone else get this too?

 

 

It looks like your manager is a bit of a d1ck.

[JoeyJoeC]

It looks like your manager is a bit of a d1ck.

 

He is. It's an IT support company. I spend more time in my day explaining to him an issue, to the point where I could have solved the issue in that time. He really is bad at understanding anything.

 

He sent me an email to say along the lines of "You knew we're doing something Thursday, therefore it's important to have everyone in on Thursday, I'd like to know the reason so I know how urgent it is".

 

I responded to say, "When we spoke, the date for that wasn’t set as you also suggested Friday. It’s something that needs to be done either this Thursday or next Thursday before 5PM. “Why?” comes across rude so please next time explain why you need to know."

 

I got a lengthy and snarky email to say that he needs to know for the sake of the business. He then goes on to say that I had the whole Xmas break to let him know (as If I knew earlier), and then even says he would have said no then anyway (?). Then says we will have a meeting with the boss about this tomorrow.

 

I have another job lined up, I decided not to take it, but it's looking appealing now.

[JoeyJoeC]

I replied with an equally snarky email to say:

 

If I had known of the requirement of a day’s leave earlier I would have let you know, it only came up on Saturday the 2nd.

 

I understand that it’s important for the business, however details should not be disclosed if I feel that they are confidential and that is it of no importance to disclose the exact reason.

 

Thursday would be the most convenient for myself, next Thursday would work, other week days will be inconvenient as my partner is unable to use those days.

 

Please understand that replying with a single word “why?” can be perceived as rude.

 

Kind regards,

[unclebulgaria67]

The explanation for this managers behaviour, is that he has been brought in to manage staff out of the business. If he can get rid of people by being a pain in the *ss and by using normal discipline process, then it is less staff to get rid of later through redundancy. Or they are looking to make changes and need staff with different skills.

 

Perhaps he asks about purpose of holiday, as half a day might be an interview elsewhere or he might have need to contact you urgently, so needs to know where you are going to br.

[ericsbrother]

depends on how secure you are inyourself and your position. I had a boss ask me ages ago why I wanted a day off and I said conception leave is not yet on the same footing as maternity leave.

[king12345]

I have been asked in the past by a female manager and I said: "are you sure you want to know?"

She said yes and I went on to tell her I had to see a specialist about having very frequent erection during the day and night.

I then started to explain the (made up) details of the various gruesome procedures I had (not) gone through and she asked me to stop.

I followed her in her office and continued the story full of horrific details.

I even managed to make her think I was crying at one point.

She started screaming "OUT!" when I said: "Look, it's happening now..."

 

Believe me, I've never been questioned again about the reason of my leave request.

Try something similar, the more embarrassing and inappropriate the better.

[caro]

I have been asked in the past by a female manager and I said: "are you sure you want to know?"

She said yes and I went on to tell her I had to see a specialist about having very frequent erection during the day and night.

I then started to explain the (made up) details of the various gruesome procedures I had (not) gone through and she asked me to stop.

I followed her in her office and continued the story full of horrific details.

I even managed to make her think I was crying at one point.

She started screaming "OUT!" when I said: "Look, it's happening now..."

 

Believe me, I've never been questioned again about the reason of my leave request.

Try something similar, the more embarrassing and inappropriate the better.

 

I was going to say make something embarrassing up.

 

I was once asked if I was going away before a weeks leave was approved, because the boss wanted to wait and see if any colleagues who were going away wanted that week.

 

I was so taken aback I didn't question the response.

Edited January 5, 2016 by caro

[JoeyJoeC]

Ended up with an hour meeting about my "conduct" yesterday, apparently my emails weren't appropriate. During the meeting I decided to express how I felt about him.

 

Later that day I found out he had told everyone I was going to leave the company (I had spoken to him in confidence about this previously, and then later that I decided I didn't want to take the other job position I were offered). I then spoke to the MD of the company and told him all the issues I have with him, and to some extent, he agreed.

[Alfie29]

When I ask for days off my supervisor says 'what another day off u keep having days off'. My reply is I'm entitled to my holiday leave...

 

I get asked what I'm doing on my day off and I just either make it up or just say family things. Maybe it could be that he is interested in what u do on ur day off for a conversation? Mine does.

[JoeyJoeC]

I had to book some more days off, so I sent him an email with things like "Bothers wedding - Quite important". According to him, if we want to book a day off, we have to give a months notice... what the...??

 

A new company "policy", we now have to email him when we arrive in the office as a method of time keeping. Although, it's not always possible to email him as soon as we get in, as often we have calls or dealing directly with clients, but apparently he will only accept the times in which we email him as when we get to the office, and not the time we tell him... I questioned this and the response was "It's a company policy, not to police our staff". (we're a 4 person company at the moment!!). So what the hell is this actually for then?! I did mention this to the company owner, and he just accused me of "trying to find technicalities". If this may be used against me for being late when I actually wasn't, I want to defend myself!

[Consumer dude]

I had to book some more days off, so I sent him an email with things like "Bothers wedding - Quite important". According to him, if we want to book a day off, we have to give a months notice... what the...??

 

A new company "policy", we now have to email him when we arrive in the office as a method of time keeping. Although, it's not always possible to email him as soon as we get in, as often we have calls or dealing directly with clients, but apparently he will only accept the times in which we email him as when we get to the office, and not the time we tell him... I questioned this and the response was "It's a company policy, not to police our staff". (we're a 4 person company at the moment!!). So what the hell is this actually for then?! I did mention this to the company owner, and he just accused me of "trying to find technicalities". If this may be used against me for being late when I actually wasn't, I want to defend myself!

 

I feel for you, I really do. The politics of it all, it makes yer sick. I wish you well in trying to defend yer self..

[king12345]

So when you get in no matter what's happening (phone, customers, etc.) send the email.

Then if someone complains that they were not attended immediately you will have date and time of the email sent to prove you were doing as you're told.

Your manager must be a true ass!

[JoeyJoeC]

Thanks! I really don't know why this is all happening now, and why the MD is defending him so much. Hes previous role was exactly what I do now, hes not a manager at all and has no idea how to manage. He fits right into the stereotypical BMW driver profile... and yes he drives a BMW.

[Consumer dude]

Thanks! I really don't know why this is all happening now, and why the MD is defending him so much. Hes previous role was exactly what I do now, hes not a manager at all and has no idea how to manage. He fits right into the stereotypical BMW driver profile... and yes he drives a BMW.

 

Like I said, politics and it sounds like you have been marginalised as perhaps you don't fit in to the vested interests..

[JoeyJoeC]

So when you get in no matter what's happening (phone, customers, etc.) send the email.

Then if someone complains that they were not attended immediately you will have date and time of the email sent to prove you were doing as you're told.

Your manager must be a true ass!

 

He is! It's not always possible. I'm usually on time, but the time it takes to unlock the office (key holder), and start up my PC etc, it's already a few minutes past 8am. I'll just assume this is a log based on the time we're infront of our PC's, and not actually one that reflects on our start times.