How Should I Ask for Time Off? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

swedeace · 11-25-2007, 04:23 AM

I have been told that I am doing such a great job at my part-time job, and that's really nice to hear. I am just nervous about deciding whether or not I should ask for the day off on the 7th of December (my birthday party which is on a Friday) or if I should just call in sick. I think it's morally wrong to call in sick. On the other hand, I don't want to be thought of us "unreliable" if I ask for that time off. One of the 17-year-old sales support girls has been asking for time off quite a bit that the supervisor is saying she is on the verge of being fired. The only difference between me and her is the fact that I am not trying to ask for time off very often. Other than that, I am not going to ask for more time off. My birthday party is an exception. Other than that, I still want to be thought of as "reliable." I don't know how to approach this. Those of you who work in retail, what is the best way to approach asking for that time off while being thought of as "reliable?" Any ideas?

OH Nuts! · 11-25-2007, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swedeace

I have been told that I am doing such a great job at my part-time job, and that's really nice to hear. I am just nervous about deciding whether or not I should ask for the day off on the 7th of December (my birthday party which is on a Friday) or if I should just call in sick. I think it's morally wrong to call in sick. On the other hand, I don't want to be thought of us "unreliable" if I ask for that time off. One of the 17-year-old sales support girls has been asking for time off quite a bit that the supervisor is saying she is on the verge of being fired. The only difference between me and her is the fact that I am not trying to ask for time off very often. Other than that, I am not going to ask for more time off. My birthday party is an exception. Other than that, I still want to be thought of as "reliable." I don't know how to approach this. Those of you who work in retail, what is the best way to approach asking for that time off while being thought of as "reliable?" Any ideas?

How long have you been on the job so far without asking for time? That is a key factor. Calling in sick on a Mon. or Fri. looks more suspicious than calling in on a Tues-Weds-Thurs. so I'd try to avoid doing that .

theshark8777 · 11-25-2007, 11:04 AM

Call off for personal reasons, thats what I do.

swedeace · 11-25-2007, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich p

How long have you been on the job so far without asking for time? That is a key factor. Calling in sick on a Mon. or Fri. looks more suspicious than calling in on a Tues-Weds-Thurs. so I'd try to avoid doing that .

I started on the 28th of October. I am only hired as seasonal, so I am only there for 90 days. My party is on a Friday.

swedeace · 11-25-2007, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshark8777

Call off for personal reasons, thats what I do.

That's a good idea. I just hope it won't make them lose their trust in me, as I mentioned in my first post. This is the only day I am planning to take time off during these 90 days. That is...providing I don't get a headache attack or anything. I am very prone to migraine attacks.

TripperFan · 11-25-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swedeace

I started on the 28th of October. I am only hired as seasonal, so I am only there for 90 days. My party is on a Friday.

Then if that's the case and you haven't been there that long, I definitely WOULD NOT ask for time off just yet. At the absolute most, if there's a party for you and you'll need to have more time to get ready for it, then I'd ask to leave a little early, but not for the day or night off. Unfortunately, with it being a seasonal job, (so I'm assuming it's probably something retail), a Friday night at this time of the year is busy so they'll need all the staff they can get.

Just my opinion ~

qwerty · 11-25-2007, 12:05 PM

Change shifts with someone else if that is possible. Or get someone else to cover for you who won't hit overtime that week.

TripperFan · 11-25-2007, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwerty

Change shifts with someone else if that is possible. Or get someone else to cover for you who won't hit overtime that week.

Excellent suggestion! Will show your employer that you're not only reliable, but responsible and are a team player. Great idea qwerty!

swedeace · 11-25-2007, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwerty

Change shifts with someone else if that is possible. Or get someone else to cover for you who won't hit overtime that week.

What an excellent idea! As Cathie mentioned, it shows that I could be a team player. I'll have to work sometime in the weeknight (I only work weekends) for someone else, but most of the sales support I know work in the same days/hours as me. This could be tricky. Hmmm....

TripperFan · 11-25-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swedeace

What an excellent idea! As Cathie mentioned, it shows that I could be a team player. I'll have to work sometime in the weeknight (I only work weekends) for someone else, but most of the sales support I know work in the same days/hours as me. This could be tricky. Hmmm....

Actually it sounds like it will work out fine if you can get someone to agree, and I would think a Friday night isn't that bad (better than someone having to switch to a Saturday I think).

You might be a little tired the next day afterwards since you're not used to working that job during the week, but I think for a great birthday party, it'll be well worth it!

(Remember, even at a part-time job, it's really important to act responsibly since you may need them as a reference, etc. down the road).

OH Nuts! · 11-25-2007, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwerty

Change shifts with someone else if that is possible. Or get someone else to cover for you who won't hit overtime that week.

As others have said, this is an excellent idea. You may not have to do the following but if you offer a day in exchange that someone else would LOVE to have off, but that you don't care as much about, this would make an exchange more likely.

For me for example, I love to have the Fri. off after Thanksgiving, but I don't care if I have to work Xmas eve or stay late Xmas eve as a trade.

swedeace · 11-25-2007, 11:13 PM

I have been doing some thinking. My schedule is already tight enough as it is, and exchanging a weekend evening for a weekday evening is gonna be a toughie. I work 40 hours a week at my fulltime job, and I enter work there at 7:00 a.m. Because JCPenney is now on extended holiday hours, the switched hours are going to be tough for me. If I have to close reallllllllllly late on a weekday night, then I am going to suffer the next morning at my fulltime job with very little sleep. Hmmm....this is tough!

theshark8777 · 11-25-2007, 11:19 PM

I use the motto, I work to live not live to work.

coffield3 · 11-25-2007, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshark8777

I use the motto, I work to live not live to work.

very true!

swedeace · 11-25-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theshark8777

I use the motto, I work to live not live to work.

So, what is your advice then? My question is "how to" ask for the time off because of the reliability reputation factor I mentioned in the first post. I am simply asking for advice.

In my defense and from what I have already mentioned a couple of times above, this is only a part-time seasonal job. I am not working so many hours forever. This is just...well, I don't need to explain my reasons because this thread is not poking into reasons for the job. I'm just seeking the advice.

11-25-2007, 04:23 AM	#1
swedeace Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 9,009	How Should I Ask for Time Off? I have been told that I am doing such a great job at my part-time job, and that's really nice to hear. I am just nervous about deciding whether or not I should ask for the day off on the 7th of December (my birthday party which is on a Friday) or if I should just call in sick. I think it's morally wrong to call in sick. On the other hand, I don't want to be thought of us "unreliable" if I ask for that time off. One of the 17-year-old sales support girls has been asking for time off quite a bit that the supervisor is saying she is on the verge of being fired. The only difference between me and her is the fact that I am not trying to ask for time off very often. Other than that, I am not going to ask for more time off. My birthday party is an exception. Other than that, I still want to be thought of as "reliable." I don't know how to approach this. Those of you who work in retail, what is the best way to approach asking for that time off while being thought of as "reliable?" Any ideas?

11-25-2007, 11:04 AM	#3
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	Call off for personal reasons, thats what I do.
	__________________ Who ate all the pecan Sandies??

11-25-2007, 12:05 PM	#7
qwerty Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 20, 2004 Posts: 226	Change shifts with someone else if that is possible. Or get someone else to cover for you who won't hit overtime that week.

11-25-2007, 11:13 PM	#12
swedeace Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 22, 2003 Posts: 9,009	I have been doing some thinking. My schedule is already tight enough as it is, and exchanging a weekend evening for a weekday evening is gonna be a toughie. I work 40 hours a week at my fulltime job, and I enter work there at 7:00 a.m. Because JCPenney is now on extended holiday hours, the switched hours are going to be tough for me. If I have to close reallllllllllly late on a weekday night, then I am going to suffer the next morning at my fulltime job with very little sleep. Hmmm....this is tough!

11-25-2007, 11:19 PM	#13
theshark8777 Hats for Bats Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 23, 2001 Location: northeast Ohio. Posts: 5,315	I use the motto, I work to live not live to work.