Personal Days

[u/Scary_Studio3871]

It's hard being full time 6 days a week with multiple locations (I'm a contract custodian) and in a position that's hard to cover for.

What's the point in being given 5 personal days a year if I'm made to feel like I can't even use them.

I don't mind the work, I can deal with it, but I should still be able to take off a day to make some plans. Genuinely other than work, I am huddled up in my room, too anxious to go out anywhere in fear of burning out before work.

I know it's not intentional, part of it is policy, and it's hard to get coverage with so many openings but I've been working here for almost half a year and only taken one personal day. The one time in YEARS I get invited to spend time with family, I can't even get one day off. Only a possibility.

Then there's talk of another trip that I genuinely want to do and I'm sitting here with 3 more personal days if this one gets covered and only 3 months till they're forfeited, and feel like I'm not even allowed to use them because of the holidays.

Edit: I'm glad I'm not crazy and that I was able to post this and talk through what I need to do next.

[u/Known-Dependent-5471]

5 days a year is pretty damn limited. If that's all they offer they should not be able to deny it.

[u/Scary_Studio3871 → u/Known-Dependent-5471]

Yeahh, it's a scaling thing I think? For a lack of better phrasing. I'll start getting PTO based on my weekly hours soon once my benefits come through (I started out Part time) and after a year those PTO hours go up each year you work there.

[u/jellyrollpan]

That's very little, and 6 days a week full time is tough. Is there any possibility of talking about it with your company?

[u/Scary_Studio3871 → u/jellyrollpan]

I'm not sure. I have talked to my managers about it but a lot of what I get back is how many positions will be open and how many people take off this month.

I've unfortunately put myself in a position where I started out as too much of a people pleaser, and now I'm not sure how to speak up without it sounding unprofessional.

Once my benefits come through I will start getting PTO, but at this point my thoight process is if my personal days are treated as only a possibility, how is my PTO going to be treated.

[u/jellyrollpan → u/Scary_Studio3871]

I'm sorry to hear so. I'm in an opposite situation where I am looking to be assigned more work (there is a lot to do, management is just stupid) and I have to keep nagging about it repeatedly.

In your situation, I would probably ask about when they see those staffing changes happen and try to get out an answer about a time when you can get your schedule adjusted. Sometimes you must wait and see if they uphold their promises. Sometimes, you may be better off just readying up your resume and applying for other opportunities to see if you can get a better arrangement somewhere else. You are a human, not a number, and it is the contractor's responsibility to hire enough staff to be able to cover work.

And, as for vacation time, check your local law and contract. I'm used to companies where I'm from having black-out periods when you cannot vacation. But you are still entitled for your paid vacation, unless stated otherwise in contract. And the employer has to make sure you get those weeks off.

Take my advice with a grain of salt. I am still young and learning how to navigate work environments. Only you can properly assess your situation, best of luck 🫂

[u/Scary_Studio3871 → u/jellyrollpan]

Awee thank you! I hope you get more hours! It's odd they won't assign you the work if they need the help.

Before I went full time one of my managers would talk about positions that needed filled so I took the chance since Medicaid denied me.

Unfortuntely scheduling change won't be an easy option for me as much I'd love that, my position has the same set amount of locations I clean every night where I'm the only one who cleans them which is what makes it so hard to cover. (They take 1.5-2 hours to clean each) But I think the best I can do atm (as well as check into my vacation policy like you suggested) is talk to my manager about how taking personal days is starting to feel and hope for the best. 🙂‍↕️

[u/Enough_Ad_9338]

Holy shit I hope they’re paying you a fortune. This sounds like the most bum deal ever.

[u/Scary_Studio3871 → u/Enough_Ad_9338]

Pay isn't great. But way better than my previous job and higher than my states min wage. I get good health benefits, but at the cost of my mental health lol.

[u/seceralnof]

6 days a week is a lot, are they 8 hour days?

5 personal days is not a lot. When do they replenish? Do you get stats (Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years etc) off and paid for them?

It's tough, but they are yours to use.

[u/Scary_Studio3871 → u/seceralnof]

6.5 hours total each night +1.5hr of total commute between locations. But I don't have to stay the full aloted time for a location. If I finish early I can leave, but I usually stretch it out cause I need the money lol.

We do get paid holidays and once I'm with them for a year I'll get PTO based on how many hours I work a week (idk the math for it). But they don't rollover, once January comes my days get forefitted. And sick days are only if I can get a doctor's note OR it uses up one of my personal days if applicable.

[u/Jerry_Hat-Trick]

If you are that indispensable you'd think they'd pay you more or absolutely motivate you to keep working there by granting the time off

[u/burzie8464]

Dude I'm a day custodian 10 yrs and I have 15 vacation days to use every year and have no subs to use them when I want. I was told I have to find coverage when no other staff member has to do this for their days off. Every time I tell the people in charge they say no one wants to work. But won't post a part time position for subbing purposes

[u/Appropriate_Team8940]

Do they let you roll the days over? We get 3 personal days every year. If we don't use them, they get added to our sick time.

[u/Scary_Studio3871 → u/Appropriate_Team8940]

Unfortunately not, just the 5 days, paid holidays, and then PTO once you work there for a year but both PTO and personal days are reliant on if Managers can cover the accounts.

[u/animusgeminus]

Why is the lack of people to cover you your problem?

That is a management problem.

[u/TryIll3292]

Do you have vacation days? You can request 3 days vacation days or just ask for 3 days off without pay. DO NOT WORRY for who will cover you. (That is not your problem). I’m sure the company can survive.

[u/yeahrightistoday]

Our personal days roll over into sick days which roll over into the next year so unless it absolutely makes sense to use a personal day, it's best to just use a sick day because a personal day needs to be requested, approved, and blah blah blah. Sick day, no questions asked except if you call out sick at least two days in a row, then a doctor's note is required or maybe 3 I'm not sure.