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Looking for some advice here. I've been planning on going to the roo this year for the last few weeks, but I couldn't really get a ticket until I had a job. I was just offered a position today that would start April 5th, and I'm worried that it's going to be extremely tough asking for 3.5 days off in june and actually getting it. It's a sales job, so as long as you perform well your supervisors could care less if you take time off. I just don't know if I'd have enough time to prove myself worthy of taking vacation so early. And I haven't bought my ticket just yet, so at least I don't have to worry about selling it right now.
It really sucks because a bunch of my friends who bailed in 08 are going this year, and I don't want to be the one who is left out. Realistically I don't see myself taking any other time off this year, so all I need is 3.5 days off for Bonnaroo. I guess it might all just boil down to my manager, but has anyone had a similar experience, or do you have any suggestions for how to approach this? Do I bring it up immediately, or do I wait? I'm getting really freaked out about this
Post by plasticpepper on Mar 24, 2010 21:40:23 GMT -5
I would bring it up now, and just describe it as a trip you've already planned. And if you have to, offer to take it without pay. It probably won't be a problem.
I'm going to be in the same boat - except that I still haven't found a job, so whenever I do I'll be there for even less time than you before roo! I'm reeallly hoping I'll be able to get the time off.
Bring it up immediately and frankly. Explain the situation and ask if this is something they can work with or not. If you put the ball in their court, empathize with how they may feel about this situation and explain that it is the only time for the rest of the year that you foresee needing off, they may be fine with it. Then again they might not, but if they are a reasonable employer they'll appreciate you bringing it to their attention respectfully and in a forthright manner.
That's my advice from someone who has been in management for about a dozen years and is currently responsible for about sixty people.
I would bring it up now, and just describe it as a trip you've already planned. And if you have to, offer to take it without pay. It probably won't be a problem.
I'm going to be in the same boat - except that I still haven't found a job, so whenever I do I'll be there for even less time than you before roo! I'm reeallly hoping I'll be able to get the time off.
Yeah, I thought about maybe saying I got my ticket as a Christmas present during the early bird sale and just didn't anticipate being in the current situation. I know it'd be lying, but I wouldn't let my conscience stop me from doing it to get a small amount of time off. My only concern with it is that it would put my manager in a weird situation where he might kind of begrudgingly give me the time off but also might potentially harbor some negative sentiments towards me.
That's my advice from someone who has been in management for about a dozen years and is currently responsible for about sixty people.
Thanks for your input. What say ye to the situation I just described in this post? Yea or naye?
Post by dommyknows on Mar 24, 2010 23:17:51 GMT -5
If I could get a court order to drive to bonnaroo from Pennsylvania while out on Bail, awaiting trial, then there is no way your employer could deny you the pleasure.
The roo gods will see to it that you are on the farm.
If I could get a court order to drive to bonnaroo from Pennsylvania while out on Bail, awaiting trial, then there is no way your employer could deny you the pleasure.
The roo gods will see to it that you are on the farm.
This is dedication...+1!!!!
I would just tell your boss the situation. Maybe he likes Bonnaroo...
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Yeah, I usually take Thursday through Monday off. My employers know all about Bonnaroo, being 25 minutes or so away from Manchester, and we get a small fraction of the Bonnaroo crowd passing through our town on their way to, from and in between. I've been two times before, they know it, and I put in my day(s) off request once a month to ensure I have it secured, since days off are first come, first serve. The real bitch about it is my vacation days come to me on my anniversary of employment with them, which is in July, so I go on theoretical vacation from work without pay for Bonnaroo.
I think as long as you tell them now, and remind them a few weeks before Bonnaroo (provided they're okay with it), you'll be fine. I also have a sales job (well, kinda <_<), so I can relate. My employers don't really care, as long as you let them know in advance.
I think as long as you tell them now, and remind them a few weeks before Bonnaroo (provided they're okay with it), you'll be fine. I also have a sales job (well, kinda <_<), so I can relate. My employers don't really care, as long as you let them know in advance.
Yeah, I think letting someone know 2 months in advance is generally enough time. I've just heard some places expect you to work for 3 months before they give you any vacation, so I'm just really worried they're gonna hate the idea of me bringing it up right out of the gates.
I would say its best to just be upfront with them & tell them right off the bat, Hey look I have this vacation already planned, tickets bought, reservations made, etc... They may be a little iffy about it at first, but if you show your dedication & hard work before the time comes to actually take off work, they should be more likely to be okay with it.
I've worked (part-time) for the same company since June 2005. This January, I started full-time & the policy is 6 months from starting date til you get vacation time. I put my in my time off for Roo last month, bought my ticket, and then was just recently told that my vacation technically doesn't begin until July 1st. So I may be taking a few days off without pay. Small price to pay for Bonnaroo, I say
This is a completely different situation, but I've hired a woman who was 7 months pregnant (but we couldn't mention it in the interview unless she brought it up...very strange), knowing that she would have 12 weeks maternity leave looming, just because she was the right person for the job. Her boy just turned two on St. Patty's Day and she's still here, doing excellent work. I don't regret the decision one bit.
Let them know up front, don't make up any stories, and really...it's only 3 1/2 days.
Post by Mr Blue Sky on Mar 25, 2010 9:04:12 GMT -5
Yeah, I thought about maybe saying I got my ticket as a Christmas present during the early bird sale and just didn't anticipate being in the current situation.
I would personally leave the timing of the ticket purchase out of it. Just say you already had the trip "planned and have peeps counting on you" and let them infer the disposition having to cancel would be. The less you open yourself up to future contradiction the easier to keep it all straight
I supervise and hire people and as long as this is presented up front as a prior commitment that you have made there should not be a problem. Leave out details at this point, just inform them that you have a trip that has been planned and already paid for and you should be good to go. As one of the other posters mentioned you may need to take leave without pay but otherwise it should not be a problem. Actually if it is a huge problem you should keep looking for work, even if you take the gig because it's not a company you want to deal with long term if they have no flexibility.
Post by questionablesanity on Mar 25, 2010 10:58:17 GMT -5
Damn, I am lucky. I just tell my docs when Im leaving, when I'm coming back, and they take care of everything else. Although it would be a little weird doing it after you just got hired. I agree with the above posters. Tell them now, so at least you'll know.
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Post by lyricaldedd on Mar 25, 2010 12:22:09 GMT -5
I just started a new position also. I just told them before they hired me that I had already bought my ticket and I was going. They were cool with it and gave me the days off before I was even hired. It's best to be upfront and honest.
Thanks for all the input. I don't actually start until April 5, so I won't be able to tell my manager for another week and a half or so. I could e-mail him I guess, but I'd rather just do it in person. I feel a little better about it at this point though.
Thanks for all the input. I don't actually start until April 5, so I won't be able to tell my manager for another week and a half or so. I could e-mail him I guess, but I'd rather just do it in person. I feel a little better about it at this point though.
Definitely makes sense to do it in person. My only concern about telling them that you already have the ticket is that they may be annoyed that you knew that you were taking the time off but failed to mention it. As a matter of fact, our applications even ask you have any planned leave in the next six months.
You could bring it up as, 'I have this vacation that I would like to do but I understand that I'm just starting. This job is more important to me but if this something that you are willing to be flexible about I would really appreciate it.' That way you are telling them that they are your priority (even if they may not be) but letting them know that you are already on the hook for these if they tell you no.
Like some others said, this gives you your first insight into how they may treat their associates and, if they say no, it also gives you time to look for another job on sly that is willing to work with your needs.
Post by benrdsknrd on Mar 25, 2010 19:06:56 GMT -5
Be 100% truthful. Don't tell them you already have your ticket because your boss may perceive that as you pressuring him. (And because you don't have your ticket yet) Make it clear that you really want to have your Roo vacation. But if you're willing to skip Bonnaroo for your job, then let him know that too. It will show dedication to your job and it will probably earn you a little respect. The way I see it, they've been fine without you until now, and they'll be fine without you while you're on the farm. But seriously, the truth is the best way to go. Doesn't take near as much effort as making something up.
Post by moonshine3 on Mar 26, 2010 10:11:24 GMT -5
you don't have to say roo. you could just say a planned event or planned vacation. but its totally important to say something now. even if you go in before the job starts to let them know.
As a matter of fact, our applications even ask you have any planned leave in the next six months.
I need to hire someone in a few months - that's a great question I've never thought to ask someone.
To the OP - I'm in management too - def tell them now. no need to mention bonnaroo specifically unless asked - i would describe it as a planned vacation. if asked for specifics, you could say bonnaroo or you could say camping in TN - up to you.
Post by c234567892 on Mar 26, 2010 11:57:06 GMT -5
I got hired for a new job 1 week before 'roo in '06 and just told them I have a trip already planned in a week, I'll be gone this long and they gave it to me. No problem.
Post by Britney's_Fears on Mar 26, 2010 15:19:36 GMT -5
I work for a school system and according to school board policy we can't take a day off that precedes a vacation. April 15 precedes spring break and that's the first night of Wanee Music Festival in Florida. I had to bite the bullet and miss it. I thought about calling in sick but my colleague is already playing that card so sometimes ya win and sometimes ya lose. (Fortunately June 9-16 have been approved..Wahoo!)
Just tell your boss "C'mon man...it's f*ckin' BONNAROOOOOO!!!!" (Spill some beer on him as you say that for added effect)
I've had this situation many times with other events. I don't shake hands and accept the job until I inform them of the situation. "Well, I wanted to let you know I've got an event I've had planned for many months, and it would be very difficult to change these plans. I'm hoping we could come to an agreement about how I might be able to take those days off if I took the job." Then even if I know I'll take the job I tell them I need a day to consider the offer.
Before you accept the position, you actually have some leverage: they want you. Once you accept their terms of employment, you are essentially agreeing to whatever they say. I've actually had them put the days off in my offer letter once, because that's pretty binding in the HR world.
yeah time off work is usually the trickiest part about bonnaroo for me, i'm a student and the school year doesn't end until the end of april... so i don't start my summer job until may, and it's harder for me because it takes two days to drive to bonnaroo and two days to drive back (i live in ontario, canada)... so it's a lot more days off then just the weekend, i usually require about 10 full days to do bonnaroo... but i always make it work, although i'm nervous that as im getting old i need to start taking myself and my jobs a teensy bit more seriously.....
I took a couple people's advice and went ahead and brought it up with my manager on Friday. He said it shouldn't be a problem and that they'd work with me. Thanks for the suggestions. See you all in June.
I usually put in a request as soon as I have a decent idea when the dates will be. This has worked out pretty well, Last year I had a minor problem as our audit schedule was made where I would be out of town the week of Bonnaroo and miss the first 2 days. Luckily I was able to switch audits with a coworker. But I have found when I pet them know about it early, all has worked out.
I had this very same situation 2 years ago, although we really had already bought our tickets. Started a new job in mid April and went to roo in June. I was gonna feed them the wedding line, but I ended up being honest. Let them know if the very beginning that I was gonna need a few days off in June, even tho it meant some of it was unpaid. Everyone was fine with it. Good luck!
