They Run Our Life
Ryan sometimes reads here, but not always. If he does read this post, he’s not going to be too happy. I’ve got a firefighter rant, and its just easier to write it here than to talk with him about it any more than I already have. Whenever his department does something just plain mean that affects the families whose lives revolve around the department, if I get angry about it when I’m talking to him, he feels like I’m angry AT him. I hate that I would make him feel that way, because truly all I really feel is the compulsion to call the scheduling people, and his higher-ups to give them a piece of my mind. They run our lives.
Ryan put in requests for vacation for 2006 back in November. He picked three times: February (for skiing), April (for a trip to Florida), and August for whatever strikes our fancy at the time.
Until today, all of those requests showed up as ‘Pending’ on his account. Today, however, just TWO WEEKS before our planned trip, the February date says “DENIED”. No explaination, no suggestion of a different dates, NOTHING. Just “DENIED”.
Last year Ryan had a vacation request denied 3 times in a row. Because he was new, and because the guys walk on eggshells around the scheduling girls because they basically control their happiness on the job, Ryan stopped submitting the request. So he lost a full vacation and was never compensated for missing it.
So now we’re just waiting to see what happens with our April date. Plane tickets are getting more expensive as we wait. My relatives in FL are waiting to hear when they can take THEIR vacations. Its crazy!
I don’t know what else to say about it. I feel completely out of control of my life.
that sucks so bad!!! I feel horrible for you!!! I think you should write anonymous letter to the boss!!!
Can’t the union guys help? By law, they can not deny him his vacation days. The union is the first place I would suggest him looking for help. But the white hats do what they want until they get caught. I hope that his requested days come through. And remember document, document, document!
That would be *so* hard to deal with. Hope things change for better soon. And I hope Ryan gets past feeling defensive; not easy for anyone I’m sure.
Michele sent me. Take care–
That sucks. Majorly. You and Ryan hang in there- they will get their due.
Also, would it help if Ryan noted about not getting that vacation last year? Hope it works out!
Terrible to have your life hanging in the balance like this..Don’t they get that no one can make any plans???
Help Me Oh Nurse!!!!
Hope Aoril comes through, but soon!
Thanks so much or your very wonderful comment on my blog….!
I’m sorry for you! Hope you get to make some plans soon. I can relate to Ryans response to your feelings. Chris got the same way whenever I would express any frustration or anything about our recent move to San Jose. I would say something about being sad to leave our friends or something to that effect and he would say “well, you can stay if you want’.. When I asked him about it, he said he felt like I was trying to make him feel guilty. I hated that he thought that was my intention.. Hope it all works out for you!
AURGH! Why is it that these people feel like they can suck you dry without so much as even a “thank you”?? I found out today that my company’s travel policy is any travel day is booked as 7.75 hours, full stop.
So last week, when I came into work at 8:00, and was told at 12:00 that I was flying out at 5:00pm, then was travelling until 4:00am, I only get to charge 7.75 hours. IT WAS A FIFTEEN HOUR DAY! If I’d showed up at 8:00, taken an hour lunch, and left at 5:30, I’d have banked more flex time.
Bastards, all of em.
He’s not going to be mad…he’s as frustrated as you are, maybe even more so because he’s at the mercy of the scheduling hags.
I say he should head to the union as well. Doesn’t sound to me like he is asking for vacation time at peak holiday times. They really should be able to accommodate him.
Good luck!
I was thinking of you yesterday when M had to work overtime and I spent my Saturday all alone.
It’s a bummer we don’t live any closer. I feel your pain on the vacation thing too. M switched shifts about six months ago and got put at the bottom of the vacation-picks heap, which meant that even though he’s accrued a couple weeks’ worth, he only gets to take one week–in November of all times (blah).
It seems so extra-shitty to me that the people we depend on in times of emergency and disaster (firemen, police, etc) have such a poopie deal. I mean really. And you can do nothing about it, of course…
But anyway, I want to thank you for all the kind words you had to say about me in your previous post!
I am really touched, that was very sweet of you! *hugs*
J
What a frustrating situation! I’ve had to deal with similar situations with my employer, and sometimes the sheer frustration drives me to tears. I hope it gets better. Hang in there! Found you via MIchele’s today…
Booking vacations is a tricky time. So many people are vying for the same weeks, it seems one has to book months in advance to get what you want.
Michele sent me