Sunday, September 1, 2024

Requesting Time Off

So, you need some well-deserved time off. What should you request?

Vacation requests made early in the year are normally approved in order of seniority, and employees are normally notified of approval or denial in the early spring. Requests made later in the year should normally be approved within a few weeks of the request. Once approved, vacation time normally requires mutual agreement to be changed.

Requested time off or request for a shift switch if you work a rotation, etc., tends to be a shorter notice type of request. Even though you may be able to make the request a long way out from the date you need, the schedule writer does not normally approve and finalize the request until the schedule is written. The request may be denied based on a variety of factors such as other employees away on vacation, other conflicting requests for time off, and coverage issues.

This means that a request for vacation is a “stronger” request. If you need a few days off to attend a family reunion, want to book a cabin for a week of rest, or plan to book a flight, it is always best to book the time off as vacation since once it is approved it is essentially set unless you agree to a proposed change. If you just need a few days off in a row but don’t have any important plans, a shorter notice request for time off is likely sufficient.

Did You Know?

If you are part-time, you may not get your vacation pay when you take your vacation (it may be paid on each cheque or in a lump sum), but you are still entitled to make a request for vacation time!

Check your collective agreement for the vacation and time off request details for your workplace, and call your representative or ask your work location steward if you have any questions.

Requesting Time Off

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