Have you ever worked hard for something only to be denied when you ask for it? For one woman, her years of dedication to her job were met with rejection every time she requested vacation time. But when it came time for her to retire, she found a way to make her boss regret those refusals.
At 63, she walked into her boss’s office with a bold move: two years’ notice, followed by an immediate “vacation” for the rest of her career. What followed was a lesson in how not to take advantage of an employee. Read on to see how she pulled it off.
A transcription head, denied vacation for years, gives two years’ retirement notice and then takes it all as paid leave
The Original Poster (OP) recounts a compelling story of their mother, a government agency transcription department head, who faced years of denied vacation requests.
Upon nearing retirement, she informed her boss that she would be taking two years of accrued leave before retiring. This bold move underscores the importance of understanding and asserting one’s rights regarding accrued leave.
Under U.S. labor law, while employers are not mandated to provide paid vacation, if they choose to do so, accrued vacation time is considered earned wages.
Employers cannot forfeit or deny payment for earned vacation time, even upon termination, unless a clear and enforceable policy exists that complies with state laws.
In California, for example, earned vacation time cannot expire and must be carried over year to year, though employers may set a cap on accrual (Callahan & Blaine).
Employers can refuse vacation requests based on operational needs, but such refusals must be reasonable and not interfere with an employee’s ability to take their accrued leave.
Repeatedly denying vacation requests to the extent that an employee cannot take their statutory entitlement may constitute a violation of employment laws (Startups.co.uk).
The OP’s mother’s decision to take her accrued leave before retirement highlights the significance of understanding and exercising one’s rights in the workplace.
Employees are encouraged to familiarize themselves with their rights regarding accrued leave and to assert those rights when necessary to ensure fair treatment and maintain work-life balance.
Let’s dive into the reactions from Reddit:
This group shared stories of workers using their accrued PTO or sick leave in clever ways
These users highlighted the long-term benefits of accumulated leave and how it helped them or their family members navigate major life changes
These commenters shared entertaining stories of workers using their PTO creatively to avoid work
What do you think? Was it a bit over the top, or was this the perfect way to take control of the situation after years of being treated unfairly? Share your take below!
