Vacation denied

nickola · Mar 16, 2005

I don't know how it works where you are, but at my previous place of employment, if more than one person requested the same time off, the employee w/the most seniority got the request 1st. The following year, if more than one person requested the same time off, it went to the next person w/seniority, etc. They had to do this b/c so many nurses wanted spring break (or July 4th wk, etc.) off to be w/their kids or families, so to be fair, they changed a long-standing policy. At first those w/most seniority balked, but it really wasn't fair to keep giving the same people the same time off every year. It worked out that the people w/the most seniority got their request every other year & we all adjusted. I don't know if your job has a similar policy, but if I were you I'd ask to clarify this. :)

I am a benefit eligible employee.
Seniority > 20 yrs.
I rarely call in sick.
I have not had vacation since April 2004.
My vacation request was denied because "You had Spring Break off last year"
Two Resource nurses were given the break off instead.

jeepgirl, LPN, NP · Mar 16, 2005

this may just be because i only have more seniority than only a few people...

but i think that is fair.

why should you get spring break off every year?

i mean, other people have families too. rotate vacations.

everyone must give and take.

CHPN1680 · Mar 16, 2005

I grant PTO requests based on the order they are received. The PTO calendar is posted and up-to-date. You can look at it and make requests based on what is available. I find it to be the fairest way to do it. Those with seniority have the benefit of having more PTO in the bank to use.

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 16, 2005

Where I work per our union contract, first come, first served. IF two want vacation at the same time and they cannot BOTH be accomodated, then the one w/seniority gets the priority. Entirely fair, if you ask me. People CAN negotiate, and we try to do just that. I am perdiem, so I dont' factor in much, anyhow. I usually only ask for a day off here and there to get my vacations in.

I am also lucky in that I homeschool. The DISTINCT advantage is that I can take vacations in "off times" and I do, like in October. I enjoy uncrowded beaches and motel/resort accomodations this way. It's win-win for me. I feel for those fighting for those spring breaks, yes. I have been there as a fulltimer w/a kid in school in the past. That is why I never planned to have MINE off when my son was in school cause I never had seniority enough to do so.... But, I was ok w/that. I figured my turn/seniority were coming. No sense whining.

Butternut, with that much seniority, I cannot understand why they are denying you, unless you put in after others did first? I am so sorry this happened; anyway you can take another time slot???? (((Hugs)))

SmilingBluEyes · Mar 16, 2005

ps what is a "resource nurse"?

begalli · Mar 16, 2005

ps what is a "resource nurse"?

A resource nurse where I work is the nurse who fills the role of "charge." We don't call them "charge nurse."

Where I am, some resource nurses are management and do ONLY resource (4 total), evals, meetings, etc, etc...management stuff.

Some resource nurses are staff nurses first and foremost but fill the role of resource for management's days off, to further staff level and for a brief break from the bedside.

if more than one person requested the same time off, the employee w/the most seniority got the request 1st. The following year, if more than one person requested the same time off, it went to the next person w/seniority, etc.

Regarding the vacation complaint. We do what sneaks55 stated. It's fair. It's also according to our union contract. This is how it was at a previous job I had as well. When you work with a group, you can't expect to take prime vacation time every year. That's not equitable to your co-workers no matter how long they've been there.

Quickbeam, BSN, RN · Mar 16, 2005

The scary thing to me is that if you add up all the time people expect special breaks...spring break, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Summer, NYE, Birthday, Arbor Day, the kids' school plays, ad nauseum...well, that's the whole year. Scheduling should be first come, first serve with a seniority tie breaker.

fergus51 · Mar 16, 2005

Our unit doesn't allow people to take the same vacation time every year either. You have to rotate so that the same senior people don't get the same premium time every year. I understand you're offended that people less senior don't have to move to accomodate you, but would it be so terrible for you to move your vacation by a week?