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AIBU?

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Original poster

Manager won’t let me go to my wedding

244 replies

Biggobyboo · 31/08/2019 18:36

I’m a mature student (Master’s degree) and I’ve previously worked in professional office jobs. I’ve recently started a part time job on a make-up counter to earn some pin money and to get me out of the house. I always thought it seemed like a fun job and I like skincare and cosmetics.

When I sent back my contract to HR I mentioned I had my wedding coming up and a week off for my honeymoon. They said that was no problem.

I started the job and discovered my manager has the week of my honeymoon booked off for a holiday and flies out on my wedding day. The full time assistant is being a bridesmaid at another wedding that day so there is no cover in the store.

My manager said I cannot have the time off. I thought she was joking so I said “sure, I’ll just re-arrange it for the following week then!” She said that I should make it at least a couple of weeks after HER holiday. I explained that it wasn’t possible to cancel my wedding and she said it was a shame I wasn’t showing my dedication to the brand and being a team player so early on in the job. No more has been said as she has gone off sick so it’s just me and the other assistant. I can’t do too much (paid) overtime as I’m studying so she’s being funny with me. I’m contracted for 15 hours a week but I’m doing 22.5 hours currently to cover. The brand is recruiting for another part time assistant.

So should I just hand in my week’s notice now or wait until the week of my wedding? If I leave now, the other assistant will have nobody else so there will be no cover. The store is open around 60 hours a week but I’ve noticed the other brands leave their counters unmanned a lot of the time where they have no staff.

If I leave just before the wedding there will still be no cover for that weekend.

Any ideas? I’ve never worked anywhere this crazy before!

OP posts:
TheKarateKitty · 31/08/2019 21:01

Since you don’t need it, definitely quit. I worked retail cosmetics for years, and it was horrible for a variety of reasons.

The manager reads like the typical cosmetics managers I worked with. Run!

19lottie82 · 31/08/2019 21:07

They can't legally dictate in this situation
as previously booked holidays have to be
honoured

This isn’t true. Legally an employer can cancel pre approved leave as long as they give enough notice.

Obviously I’m not saying the OP IBU but they are within their (legal) rights to cancel her leave, even after agreeing to it previously.

malificent7 · 31/08/2019 21:12

Noone to cover? Not your circus; not your monkeys. Just quit.

Frankola · 31/08/2019 21:14

I'd put in a massive complaint about her and then leave tbh..she sounds like a right dick

gilliansgardenbench · 31/08/2019 21:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

StrangeLookingParasite · 31/08/2019 21:19

She said that I should make it at least a couple of weeks after HER holiday. I explained that it wasn’t possible to cancel my wedding and she said it was a shame I wasn’t showing my dedication to the brand and being a team player so early on in the job.

Hah. She is hilair. A complete dickhead, but funny, too. She's also completely insane if she thinks you'll be rescheduling your wedding to flog slap.

StoneofDestiny · 31/08/2019 21:19

Take your leave if it's been agreed. Your manager is wrong

ShellieEllie · 31/08/2019 21:22

I wouldn't worry about it, she's off sick. You informed the recruiters about your wedding and they employed you... end of!

Mummyoflittledragon · 31/08/2019 21:23

Ha ha ha. She’s hilarious. She can eat shit with that attitude. Why are some of the worst paid people treated so awfully?

EdithWeston · 31/08/2019 21:32

Basically, HR fucked up when they approved your dates without reference to what the others in the team you were joining had already booked. None of you shouid be giving up your leave because of someone else's mistake

I'd bat it all back to HR to draft in cover from another store.

MagicKingdom · 31/08/2019 21:34

If it's a beauty counter in a department store you might not be leaving them unstaffed. I work for a company that provides temp cover for various brands of makeup/skin care counters. Basically temp work. They can find cover if needed, good luck for the wedding and have a fantastic honeymoon!

VaggieMight · 31/08/2019 21:34

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at poster's request.

LatteLove · 31/08/2019 21:40

I’d just chuck it, it’s a part time job on a makeup counter, no one will die if there isn’t any cover. If you want another job in a shop there will be plenty on the run up to Christmas.

LittleLongDog · 31/08/2019 21:43

Life’s too short to go in tomorrow if it makes you feel like shit.

But, if you do go in: treat it as a bonus day and buy yourself something frivolous with the money.

gilliansgardenbench · 31/08/2019 21:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ZiggyB · 31/08/2019 21:51

What a witch! I’d be phoning up HR and explaining why I’m not coming back.

You’ll get another similar job in a heartbeat. Good luck OP.

PerkyPomPoms · 31/08/2019 21:51

Hope hr sorted it out for you?

Winterlife · 31/08/2019 22:03

Why are some of the worst paid people treated so awfully?

Because, unfortunately, employers can get away with it.

Aderyn19 · 31/08/2019 22:12

I think this is HRs fault - they shouldn't have hired you without checking that your dates didn't clash with other leave booked.
The manager is bonkers to say what she did but I kind of feel a bit sorry for her. She needs that job and now maybe faces HR cancelling her leave because they fucked up.
Retail is a bloody awful job. I wouldn't just not turn up. It's rude and drops other employees in the shit. Give your notice when it suits you to.

sugar88 · 31/08/2019 22:26

You manager said you wasn’t showing my dedication to the brand and being a team player so early on in the job?? What is that about honestly.

Hopefully HR can make the decision over your manager and grant the holiday, especially because you made it clear before you joined. How can they say that to someone about booking time off for their wedding?? Some people.

Are the people there being funny with you/making your life hell cus of it? If not I would wait for the HR response before resigning just to get as much money as you can before your wedding/honeymoon. If you're not really bothered about money either then I wouldn't blame you for handing in your notice now. Hopefully HR aren't stupid as it's obvious you wont be there those weeks whatever their decision is.

merrymouse · 31/08/2019 22:34

If you don't need the money I would resign immediately.

I'd find it too difficult to lie at work - would you say that you had managed to move the wedding?

merrymouse · 31/08/2019 22:35

She needs that job and now maybe faces HR cancelling her leave because they fucked up.

Agree.

Nonnymum · 31/08/2019 22:35

,NoBaggyPants,she took the job on the understanding she could take the time of. Of course it's not her fault. If it's anyone's fault it's HR for not telling the manager about the agreement.
OP I would mention it to HR. If you decide to resign they would want to know why anyway. Your manager sounds terrible

youaremysunshine · 31/08/2019 22:50

What mind of of oersin says someone cant have honeymoon off, tell HR

katewhinesalot · 31/08/2019 22:53

When I was a student in your position I was told I needed to work Xmas Eve. I said that I would resign in that case. The manager told me not to blackmail her. I replied that I wasn't blackmailing her, it was just the way it was. She changed my shift.

I felt, and still feel very sorry, for the staff that really need those jobs and have to put up with any old shit that managers throw at them.