So, same job as last year, new principal/boss (I teach middle school). Last year's principal is this year's Executive Director (or some such meaningless title which means she does all of her work 'behind the scenes'...supposedly).

 

Anyway, I am currently a student in a Low Residency Master's Degree Program at Antioch University in Los Angeles. I take many classes online and turn in a lot of work through the mail. Twice a year, I have to attend a two week residency in Los Angeles. One of the residencies is in the summer, so that's never been a problem with taking time off. The other one is in the winter (December 10-20). Last year, I had to take six days off of work. After a slight struggle with the administration I finally got the time approved (they asked for PROOF that I wasn't just going on vacation. My registration paperwork wasn't enough, they wanted a phone call from the university). I told them I would need approximately the same amount of time off "next year" (which is now this year).

 

I requested six days off this year for December, I thought I was being thoughtful by requesting the time off in the last week of August so they would have months to find a substitute. Just today, the new principal gets back to me and lets me know that he can't approve six days off because "that's just too many days, man". He tells me the school's maximum consecutive days off is five which in his opinion is "still way more than anyone would ever need". I explain to him precisely why I need the time off: I'm working on my Master's Degree, I've already paid the tuition, I need to be there, it isn't really a choice I have. I tell him that it wasn't too big of a deal last year. He tells me he is in charge now and last year's decisions don't apply.

 

So, what do I do?

 

I can:

-Wait and see if anything changes and I magically get the six days off approved.

-Ask for five days off and then call in "sick" the extra day.

-Put in my three months notice and tell them my last day of work will be December 9th.

-Any other suggestion that makes sense.

 

I CANNOT miss the residency, in fact I'm already missing the first day so that I wouldn't have to ask for a 7th day off.

 

Thanks for reading my part rant part plea for help.

Wow, talk about being unreasonable. You gave plenty of notice and it is one extra day. Is there anyone above this person you can plead your case to? If not, I'd put in for the 5 days and take a sick day. It's not the time to give up a steady paycheck.

Wow, talk about being unreasonable. You gave plenty of notice and it is one extra day. Is there anyone above this person you can plead your case to? If not, I'd put in for the 5 days and take a sick day. It's not the time to give up a steady paycheck.

 

 

The only person above the principal is last year's principal, the founder of the school and what not. I know she'll simply say what the principal says goes because "he's in charge".

Not sure if it would work by taking 5 days off and calling in sick on the 6th as they will know precisely what you are upto. I am at university myself, but in the summer I work in a supermarket for some extra money. One of my friends there put in for a holiday so he could go to a Scotland football match, months before the day he would be off. At the time they approved it, but the week before they said he would need to work that day due to being short of staff. Since he already had plans and had paid for his ticket to the match, there was no way he wasn't going so he just called in sick, but my manager knew fine well where he was. The next day when he got back he got a very strict warning and now has to attend a series of meetings designed for people who skive off.

Is this policy laid out in your contract? Find this out before anyting.

 

I would also try to get something in writting

 

Send an e-mail detailing the reason why, the accomodations you are willing to make as far as advance lesson planning, assisting with a 6 day sub, etc.

 

State that "I know you felt 6 days was just too many, however I've earned time off and should be allowed to take it within reason. I am trying to help ease any potential pain to the school, my students and my coworkers by staing well ahead of this. I know it can put you in a tough spot, but this is something that I must attend"

 

If there is no stated school policy that restricts you in this manner than hold them to the fire on that. If there is such a restriction, then the next time you see how much you are paying in union dues, just smile a little about how they are looking out for you so well you ended up with pretty harsh restrictions in a state where the litigious nature of labor law is most severe and subsequently the easiest state in the nation to get accomodations.

Is this policy laid out in your contract? Find this out before anyting.

 

I would also try to get something in writting

 

Send an e-mail detailing the reason why, the accomodations you are willing to make as far as advance lesson planning, assisting with a 6 day sub, etc.

 

State that "I know you felt 6 days was just too many, however I've earned time off and should be allowed to take it within reason. I am trying to help ease any potential pain to the school, my students and my coworkers by staing well ahead of this. I know it can put you in a tough spot, but this is something that I must attend"

 

If there is no stated school policy that restricts you in this manner than hold them to the fire on that. If there is such a restriction, then the next time you see how much you are paying in union dues, just smile a little about how they are looking out for you so well you ended up with pretty harsh restrictions in a state where the litigious nature of labor law is most severe and subsequently the easiest state in the nation to get accomodations.

 

 

The Union doesn't cover charter schools, at least not the one where I work, so no luck there. As far as laying it all out in writing: I did, then he came to me to answer in person. He does this a lot when he is being shady, so there is no (e)paper trail.

 

Thank you for everyone's opinions so far

tough situation for sure

 

schedule an appointment to discuss this - if you have HR ask for them to be present

 

at that time detail the reasonable accomodations and reinforce that you do not want to create any management issues for the school. Ask them to detail the reasons why your request is unreasonable and cannot be accomodated. If they can't detail the reasons ask why they are unwilling to work with you to reach a reasonable solution and ask again how 6 days is a hardship, but 5 days is fine and how you can help diminish this hardship. If they still stall state something like "without any details of how this is unreasonable and the unwillingness to work on anything other than a hardline solution it puts the thought in my mind that this is angled against me and it's could potentially be unfair and discriminatory" - the HR person would probably have their attention piqued

 

i've been in both positions - taking extended time off at inconvenient time and having to approve vacations - especially difficult around holidays ......... probably the biggest one I had to do was a 3 week approval for an european vacation - worked it out with the employee that they had to have a 100% clean desk or else I would never approve a vacation longer than 2 days again

 

most people are reasonable, just appeal to that side - he probably doesn't want to set a precident or is concerned about being short staffed around the holiday as other vacations are sure to roll in

Maybe try to contact last year's boss and let her know whats going on, and maybe she can intervene and put a good word for you with this guy so he can stop being an ass and understand that it is strictly for school. Good luck man!

No district manager, no union head, none of that. The school where I work essentially stands alone, but gets money from the state (sweet deal for them, right?) No real updates, sent an email to the school director today and offered to find them a substitute teacher if they need me to.

 

Thanks to everyone who chipped in with opinions!

 

 

 

...waiting game, I'm playing.

So, same job as last year, new principal/boss (I teach middle school). Last year's principal is this year's Executive Director (or some such meaningless title which means she does all of her work 'behind the scenes'...supposedly).

 

Anyway, I am currently a student in a Low Residency Master's Degree Program at Antioch University in Los Angeles. I take many classes online and turn in a lot of work through the mail. Twice a year, I have to attend a two week residency in Los Angeles. One of the residencies is in the summer, so that's never been a problem with taking time off. The other one is in the winter (December 10-20). Last year, I had to take six days off of work. After a slight struggle with the administration I finally got the time approved (they asked for PROOF that I wasn't just going on vacation. My registration paperwork wasn't enough, they wanted a phone call from the university). I told them I would need approximately the same amount of time off "next year" (which is now this year).

 

I requested six days off this year for December, I thought I was being thoughtful by requesting the time off in the last week of August so they would have months to find a substitute. Just today, the new principal gets back to me and lets me know that he can't approve six days off because "that's just too many days, man". He tells me the school's maximum consecutive days off is five which in his opinion is "still way more than anyone would ever need". I explain to him precisely why I need the time off: I'm working on my Master's Degree, I've already paid the tuition, I need to be there, it isn't really a choice I have. I tell him that it wasn't too big of a deal last year. He tells me he is in charge now and last year's decisions don't apply.

 

So, what do I do?

 

I can:

-Wait and see if anything changes and I magically get the six days off approved.

-Ask for five days off and then call in "sick" the extra day.

-Put in my three months notice and tell them my last day of work will be December 9th.

-Any other suggestion that makes sense.

 

I CANNOT miss the residency, in fact I'm already missing the first day so that I wouldn't have to ask for a 7th day off.

 

Thanks for reading my part rant part plea for help.

 

 

 

The bold sounds like the best idea, but they're going to know what you're up to now, so probably not...