Asking for Time off in a New Job

You are part time so I assume you want the unpaid time off? I know you feel sheepish, but just do it, 4 years is a very long time, and family is big stuff, make time for them. That said, my husband almost fired a gal before she started because she was up front about some time off she needed (that was fine), but then proceeded to ask for some more time off her first week before she had even proven herself a hard worker.

When I was offered my current job, the offer to start came a lot sooner than I expected. I had already booked tickets to visit family. For me, turning the job down was not an option. So I explained that I had purchased the tickets already and would like to go if we could work something out, but also that if it was a matter of this vacation or the job, I definitely wanted the job and would be willing to eat the cost of the tickets. It was very soon after my start date- less than a month- so I wound up taking two weeks unpaid time off. It worked out well for everyone and there were no hard feelings at work since I made my request (and priorities) clear from the beginning.

Maybe you can compromise by offering to work the 23rd and fly out on a red eye the 23rd or on the 24th? Not ideal, but airfare can be cheaper right on a holiday.

S.,

BEFORE you start the job - tell them of your upcoming plans so they can plan. One of my candidates, now a new employee, was honest from the beginning... he was planning a month long trip to Australia in mid-December to Mid-January.... our client is fine with this.

Tell them how much time you will need and if that works for them. In some companies, December is the busiest time of the year... for others? It's slow. So talk to them and tell them you have NOT made the arrangements and would like to work around their schedule and you are open to going in the summer as well.

Just be honest.

The amount of time an employee gets off and how long they have to wait for paid time off depends on the employer. These are questions to ask Human Resources Office. Human Resources can also tell you if time off without pay is a possibility.

I agree with Wild Woman about discussing this right away. Once you know policy you can decide whether or not to go.

Since you are part time you will have to take unpaid time off, or so I imagine.

My recommendation is that you have this discussion as soon as possible. I would be completely honest and describe what you did here.

For them to ask this early about December 23rd, tells me that they already like you and are planning on having you around.

I had a very similar situation when I took my first job, but that was 26 years ago. I had a family reunion in Germany in October and I started the new job in September. I told them before I started that this important family trip had been planned for some time, and would it possible for me to still attend. They made it work out. But manufacturing was slow that month.

Since you do have some degree of flexibility with going in the summer, and it's only 6 months away, and you might even enjoy the weather more..there is a good chance arrangements can be made now.
GL!

As an HR Manager, I have hired lots of people. It is not uncommon for someone to have vacation plans already made. Before you accept, I would notify them of your travel plans. Perhaps you could leave December 24. We are generally able to accommodate their vacation plans.

However, most part time positions do not cover benefits so this vacation time would most likely be unpaid. You really need to talk to your potential employer and find out their policy.

My husband recently started a new job. He started with 2 weeks paid vacation. We already had a week long vacation planned in August so he brought that up during the hiring process. Everyone was fine with it and appreciated knowing right away.

As for how much time people get, it varies greatly. Often part time gets no paid vacation. It is common for companies to require employees to work for a year before accruing either one or two weeks of paid time off. Neither my husband nor I have ever had more than two weeks off per year (without banking it from previous years).

Part time employees typically do not get benefits. You may be able to take whatever time you want off, but not get paid for it. Also, it's customary for new people to work holidays so more senior employees get to take that time off. I think the only way that you can approach this with your boss is if you tell her that you already have tickets for travel. Or perhaps it would be wiser not to plan your trip during the holidays and let your boss know that you plan to travel overseas for a week later in January.

If she already asked you this far in advance about a certain day, it must be important. Typical you "accrue" vacation so you don't have your full allocation day one. And we get way less vacation in general here than UK and Europe. Two weeks to start is fairly typical. But you're part time. I would say that you had this trip planned but is 12/23 very important? If so you would be flexible. Word it so that you're doing a favor kind of by working when is needed but not desirable so in exchange maybe you can be gone two weeks after starting not that long before. Know what I mean?

I agree with Wild Woman. The last job I started I needed a week off only a month in, I told them when the job was offered and they made other plans for that week. I've never worked anywhere that required a full year before vacation, it's always been available from the get go. Every place is different, so just know what to expect, and let them know what they can expect from you. Congrats on your new job!

Usually after you've worked a FULL YEAR you get 1 week paid vacation. Until then if you ask off it's possible you won't have a job if you insist on going anyway.

People with the most seniority get to take off first, they get to pick every holiday, weekend, any time they put on the calendar you get bumped.

Ask her now if you can take off any time during the winter months. Christmas might just have to wait until some time in January for you to get to the UK.

I'd even ask about taking a week in October or early November too. Those are often times you can be gone and it's not a high level of work.

BUT she may plan on you being full time by them so ask her. Let her know you're wanting to plan a visit to your family and would like to know when that time frame will be.

It's very important to set this in stone with your potential employer before taking the job, unless you aren't sure that you will go. Tell her why, but don't give a ton of detail. If this jeapordizes your job, seeing it's only 2 days a week, then perhaps you don't really want this job. I would not act wishy-washy about this request. I would say it matter-of-factly and tell her that you hope she understands. If you have found out from HR what your vacation benefit is, then you will know if it's unpaid vacation or not. I'm not sure how you have vacation days as a benefit when you're only working two days a week, though...

When I started my current job three years ago, I had a trip to Florida planned for over a year that was only a few weeks later. We ended up not going, but they were okay with me taking the time off if I needed it. Just be honest with them and tell them right now of your plans, then if it doesn't work, you have time to rearrange your trip or you can look for a more accomdating job.

I have NEVER had to wait for leave to be applied beyond the first paycheck. One company actually deposited 6 days a year into our leave balance immediately, this covered me getting strep only a few weeks after starting work once. I do know people that have had to wait a year, I couldn't do that.

I have also worked part-time and accrued leave at those positions as well, so it honestly just depends on who you work for.

unfortunately time off is far less generous in this country than most others in the developed world. that being said, since your job is part-time, it's unlikely that you'd get paid vacation anyway.
i would approach this in an upfront way, but make it clear that you are flexible (well, if indeed you are<G>) and accommodating. so i'd respond to your boss, in person if possible, by saying truthfully that you are planning to go home over the holidays, and how much time you plan to be gone. if it's at all possible to change up your dates, keep that out there too. i wouldn't offer it up right away, but if the boss demurs, keep it as a bargaining chip, ie 'i can rearrange my vacation plans to cover the 23rd for you if it's vital, however i would in that case like to take the 26th through the 2nd. will that work for you?'
you might be surprised. on the other hand, if their attitude is very 'you're new and PT, you need to be available whenever we need you' it may be a position in which you're actually less interested.
either way, i think the best approach is courteous, accommodating honesty.
khairete
S.

Time off depends on what kind of work you do. If you are working retail, likely being available over the holiday rush is important to your potential employer. Most people in office jobs take off the week around Christmas. People in education (teachers) might get a full two weeks off. If you are unsure, don't be afraid to ask your employer.

I would email your boss a reply that explains that you were planning to take vacation days over the Christmas/Holiday season to see your family in the UK. Then follow up by explaining that you are unsure of the company's holiday/vacation policies and ask that she point you in the right direction for more information.

Unclear what kind of work it is hopefully someone else could do the 23rd.i would offer to make up the shifts u will miss but work them before u go.

I always say family is first. But I understand your situation about your job. It sounds like you are needed the 23rd if they asked you this far in advance, but since it is part time can you stay there for that day and then plan out your vacation after that? Most places that I have seen are willing to let you go if you don't get paid for it. Yes, it's a job and it's all about the money. If you aren't easily replaced or have someone who can fill in you can assure them you will cover all bases before you go. I hope you get to go,my husband didn't see some of his brothers and sisters for ten years when he came to our country.