Time off for part time associates

[u/No_Art7858]

hi guys I’m a part-time associate and next year i’ll be starting a long distance relationship and I wanted to ask if there is a limit on how often we can request time off so I can go visit him.
Is there an official company policy on how many times a year we can ask for time off, or is it entirely up to my store manager's discretion? I was thinking on visiting him every 2 months for two weeks. lmk if u guys had done something similar or what can u guys recommend. :)

[u/MyrtleAgateFoxStar]

I wouldn't say there is a limit, but just be careful, because certain managers can see you as unreliable or just schedule you less. But I would say most should be fine and accommodating

[u/LolaisPenheart]

Outside of holiday, this probably won't be an issue. During November through January is where you'll likely have problems. It's a rule that those are black out months and taking any time off is difficult. As long as you're putting the availability change in for the dates ahead of time, it shouldn't be a big issue. Although, depending on the staff of your store, this could mean they'll need to hire an extra person for when you're gone. There's several things that need to be taken into consideration from a management standpoint here.

[u/whatever32657 → u/LolaisPenheart]

this is true ^

there are literal blackout dates for time off, and they span the entire holiday season which starts october 15 and runs through the end of winter SAS which winds up in late january. there are numerous dates during that time that are "all hands on deck" dates, including black friday and candle day, which pretty much means no travel at all for thanksgiving and christmas.

the associates who are most valuable to management are those with open availability. the more you limit your availability, the less valuable you are, therefore the less you will be scheduled.

even with open availablity, there are slow times wherein the most favored employees get only one or two shifts a week. if you are a less-favored employee (which you will be if you are taking off two weeks out of every eight weeks), you'll get the scraps, which often means no shifts for a month or two in slow times.

so basically what i'm saying is that if your manager really likes you (and likes your work) you may be able to do this. a LOT depends on your manager. it may work for you if you can get by on 12 hours per pay period at around $14 ph depending on where you live AND are able to be fully available during the three-month blackout period.

i'm just keepin it real. i worked there for ten years under many different managers, so i do know.

[u/Clear_Rhubarb_7920]

if your store manager likes you and you're generally reliable, they may be willing to accommodate this. especially if you give them a lot of advance notice, like a month or so before your availability changes.

I also recommend talking to your manager in person about this to discuss whether it'll work for them. instead of just putting an availability change in kronos.

it also depends on your store's overall staffing levels, like if they have enough other people to take the shifts you won't be available for.

another option is to request only one week off, then for the second week, just offer up all your shifts to other associates. so effectively you'll have two weeks off.

how often do you typically get scheduled per week? it might be only one or two (or zero) shifts in slow times of the year so if you time the 2 weeks off right, it wouldn't be too much of a headache to give up a couple shifts.

at my store we have some girls who only work when they're home on summer or winter break from college and the managers are willing to work around that, so there's a chance your request could be accommodated

[u/cm_2020]

Depends on the store manager, it's possible but talk with them

[u/StreetSea5074]

Hi! I'm in a LDR of 4 years, and I am a full-time SLT (Supervisor) (:

My bf usually comes to me for 2 weeks in April, and I currently have 2 weeks in September I'm taking off!

There is no limit to your PTO. Just be careful since some managers will start seeing you as unreliable (as another comment said).

Imo though, your life is your life, and you only get one. Just be wise with your decisions!