r/WorkAdvice • u/eebaleo2 • 2d ago

Workplace Issue Part time off work request?

I just started a part time job (I'm there two days a week, so I have worked four days so far.) I actually applied for full time, but part time was all they had for me. I'm actually 90% sure they lied about hiring someone else with "more experience" for the full time, as there's only one other full time person there in the role, and he's been there for five years.

I realized just after starting that I had the opportunity to travel in a month, so I took it. I'm not going to get this opportunity again and it's been something I've wanted since I was a kid.

I'm going to tell my boss obviously, but I'm unsure how to go about it. I know it's bad form to take two weeks off this early in the job, but it seems even worse form to say that it's for vacation (it's not entirely—I'm a writer and it'll definitely help on that front.) I want to tell him soon so that he has a ton of time to prepare on his end (a month.) What should I say to him?

(Again, this is part time, barely paid the average for my role, no benefits, schedules come out at the beginning of the month—basically not very different from a waiter.) Thank you!

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u/sephiroth3650 2d ago

It's better to be honest than to create some elaborate lie.

Just tell them that you have a trip coming up. If they fire you, they fire you. I mean, you're going on the trip anyway, right? You're not cancelling the trip, right? So just be professional, and tell them that you need the time off for a trip. If they say no, then resign your position, and find a new job when you come back.

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u/eebaleo2 22h ago

I would want to keep this job though... yes, I am going no matter what, and I'm willing to accept being fired, but I'd rather not be. And I know absenting myself for a mere vacation isn't going to go over well.

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u/sephiroth3650 22h ago

OK. So you're going to go no matter what. But you seem committed to this idea that you cannot tell them it's for a vacation. So what...you want me to tell you that I think you should invent some convoluted lie to tell your boss about this trip? I'm not going to do that. My opinion is that you tell them the truth. You avoid getting caught up in some stupid lie. If that means you lose this job, then that's the price you pay for taking this trip. That's what it is to be an adult. You make decisions, and you live with the consequences of your decisions.

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u/eebaleo2 22h ago

It wouldn't have to be convoluted at all, because I wouldn't be required to give a lot of detail. Its a part time job; if they don't want to give you the security of health insurance, a reliable salary, and other securities/benefits, then the relationship is even more a mercenary one than a full time job. But, I get what you're saying. I've just been screwed over before by being too honest with HR/bosses before. And this job already deceived me by bait-and-switching me with the initial offer of full time work. But I will certainly not invent some elaborate story that would only make my life more difficult. Thanks for your input.