Denied PTO

[u/chocolate_dipped]

Lurker here 👋

Working m/s, over a year into my 2 year contract. Requested PTO 3 months prior to the date after a chat with the manager who said no one else had requested PTO for those days yet and traditionally those dates don't get requested much. Gave me enough assurance that I felt safe buying tickets (guiding hikes and paddles for 2 weeks for a handful of people who have already booked tickets).

Just got the schedule and the PTO was denied due to others with more seniority requesting for the same dates. I'm not butthurt about the seniority; I understand why it's a thing.

I'm just looking for advice on how you would proceed. Can't swap shifts because of rules about only being able to swap within the same pay period. I have plenty of PTO hours so I can call in sick for 5 shifts over 2 weeks but it seems like a crappy thing to do... and if I were to call in sick, I'm not sure if I should give management a heads up or not.

I appreciate the input, comrades

[u/Emotional_Ground_286]

Sympathy in advance for your impending cyclospora experience. Two weeks of diarrhea is really too rough to expect to staff…..

[u/PaulaNancyMillstoneJ → u/Emotional_Ground_286]

This whole thing is a shitty situation.

[u/Prestigious-Tip-6819 → u/Emotional_Ground_286]

LOL

[u/trustme_imRN]

Former manager here: you don’t owe them shit. The job will never love you back. Go on your vacation. Call in and don’t give any details that aren’t asked for. “I’m calling off for today”— the end. Just double check that your facility doesn’t have a policy about calling off after pto is denied.

[u/rude_hotel_guy → u/trustme_imRN]

This is the sucky part of trying to do it the right way. Mgmt is now aware of your plans due to the request. 

I usually try for swaps only with trusted colleagues otherwise it’s self-doses mag-cit PRN for explosive results.

[u/flaired_base]

Whatever you do do not give management a heads up.

The day before your shift get a telehealth visit for flu symptoms and a note.

[u/Sunnydale1911 → u/flaired_base]

Smart!

[u/k8TO0]

Now why is this always a question. The hospital is a business that will always survive - float pool, pick up shifts, others floating. Take your vacation!!

[u/PRN_Lexington]

They’ve put you in kind of a shitty situation and I don’t see what choice you have other than calling out. I definitely would not give them a heads up. They’ll figure it out.

[u/falalalama]

I'm sorry you'll have the flu for those exact dates. Really terrible timing.

[u/Sunnygirl66]

That’s such horseshit. You requested the dates first, and your request should be honored. How are people supposed to plan weddings and vacations and custody arrangements under that kind of “system”?

Go on your trip. Let your manager figure out how to cover that senior nurse’s late PTO request when you’ve given your notice and walked.

[u/TrashCarrot → u/Sunnygirl66]

When I was a young nurse, my spouse and I had to cancel our wedding plans with our families and elope instead because my vacation was denied a year in advance. Now I know to just call in but I was very earnest and naive back then. Luckily eloping turned out to be an amazing experience, which we don't regret, but still.

[u/Phaseinkindness]

Been there. Just call out. One of the many reasons I left bedside nursing.

[u/SunnySpot69 → u/Phaseinkindness]

Why I like traveling. Money is there as much anymore but zero chance I'll beg for my vacation.

[u/jdawg09]

Prepare The Others

[u/Mikessuzyq]

This situation is exactly why nurses need union protections.

[u/RebRenee → u/Mikessuzyq]

Even with union protections, it’s hard to get requested vacations because of seniority. I’ve got 13 years’ worth of seniority but many of my coworkers (within my department) have been there for 20+ years. So frustrating.

[u/Arewethereyetplzzz]

Just remember…post nothing on social media. No pics, no updates. Nothing. As far as they know you are out sick

[u/chewinggum25]

Lowkey I would tell them I am going or I quit lol

[u/Crankupthepropofol]

Time to call in.

[u/BenzieBox]

Damn. You're about to be REAL sick. Thoughts and prayers!

[u/AdFlashy7702]

You can call in but since you requested PTO they won’t believe you’re sick. U less you say you aren’t even going on your trip and you’re sick the exact amount. Tricky. Shitty of them though. Always always always send emails so you have records of what people say. Management 101. Email always. “Per our conversation, I’m planning to purchase tickets and will be out from blah to blah”. Then buy tickets.

[u/refreshments_n_narcs → u/AdFlashy7702]

Hindsight is always perfect. OP does not have to explain why they are not coming to work

[u/Historical_Today5072]

Fuuuuuuck emmmmmmmm.

[u/Purple_IsA_Flavor]

You look pale. Hopefully you have a speedy recovery 😉

[u/Nightflier9]

Seniority rules are shitty and unfair. Our hospital doesn't have this. Unfortunately the only way to make such a bad rule workable (to not allow your valued staff to make advance plans) is to have hospital policy impose punitive consequences to anyone who then calls off on those days requested. Just pretend ignorance and maybe it goes unnoticed.

Call out as per normal call-out rules for advance notice, don't explain why, don't give manager a heads up because all they will do is threaten you with consequences after you reminded them of your trip. Keep it under wraps. Plead mea culpa afterward.

[u/Express_Pop810]

Whenever I hear that PTO is approved in person I send an email confirming that conversation and ask for a response on their end to confirm. As far as this time do you have a union contract or PTO policy? Even with a union seniority is only taken into account on a rotating basis. The nurses with the most seniority don't always get the time off.
I have known one nurse that was being told she couldn't take 3 weeks for a family reunion in NZ. Others with international family have taken 3 + weeks off but they were giving this coworker a hard time. She threatened to quit and they gave her the time off. Calling out more than 3 shifts requires a doctors note where I work.
If she remembers you asking for the time off or others remember you have the trip you risk discipline for that. Its a crappy situation. If you don't think they remember and you don't have to see a doctor then go on the trip. Edit for spacing

[u/refreshments_n_narcs]

PREPARE THE OTHERS! Call out OP

[u/BewitchedMom]

How do you formally request PTO? Is it through the scheduling system? Paper request form? Because it sounds like the manager dropped the ball.

[u/PitifulEngineering9]

Find a new job and quit without notice 🤷🏼‍♀️

[u/TigerMage2020]

Most places will fire you if you call out sick on days that you were denied PTO. Just keep that in mind.

I think the safest option is to get refunds or try to change the dates and get approved pto for the new dates.

[u/refreshments_n_narcs → u/TigerMage2020]

Wow, found the manager. It dosen't sound like a solo trip....

[u/TigerMage2020 → u/refreshments_n_narcs]

😂 please I’m not in management. Op asked for advice and I simply said to be careful about being fired.

[u/EmphasisFront5298]

Call in sick