my Boss says after she approved my vacation on Oct 25 that I now cant take my vacation we had planned as a family and my job would be in jeopardy. I have documentation on are Communication and I am taking the two week vacation
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One important question... Are you a FTE at Dell or are you a contractor? The reason I ask is because contractors will almost certainly NEVER be approved for a 2 week PTO. We had a contractor once who everyone hated but, come xmas time he decided to take off 2 weeks. He told my boss this WHILE he was already on vacation though lol. Needless to say, he did not return.
I can say that HR isn't going to help you here... Personally, I'd consider NOT contacting them as this WILL go on your permanent HR record. I may be wrong but, there is almost certainly fine print in the "new hire" contract/document you signed at some point when being offered this position that states "Dell has the right to deny PTO as it sees fit, or due to company needs" or some bs like that.
Which one can argue what that timeline to "revoke" actually is. If it's approved in March for a 2 week PTO in October, that's a 7 month notice. If a major project cums up in Oct and they need you, but then revoke it a week (or short notice) prior to your approved PTO, then I feel like legally they can't do sh-t about it. Nobody can predict the future and if sh-t hits the fan and manager suddenly realizes that there is no, or not enough coverage then... that's their fkn problem.
HR isn't going to have your back though. I'd say if you have official confirmation that this was approved, then take screenshots of it and/or ANY emails/TEAMS messages - and send to your personal email - as at the VERY most you MIGHT have a lawsuit if they fire you.
I'm no lawyer but I don't think it's entirely legal for a company to approve vacation months in advance, then months later revoke that already approved PTO. Even if it is "legal"
Texas does have an "at will employment" policy/law which means a company can fire you for quite literally ANYTHING. Itched your butt and then smelled your fingers like everyone does? They can fire you for that. Took too long to po-p? They can fire you for that also.
If the trip is already paid for then I say go on it. You submitted your PTO request in WorkDay and it was approved.
@hr You are exactly right! HR is not the employee's friend.
It’s hilarious that you think HR is there to have your back. They are a liability shield for the company, not for you. Go talk to an employment lawyer if you want an advocate. Tell your manager that your pto was approved and you’re taking it. Figure it out. If that means you’re getting let go, tell them you’re looking forward to involving your attorney with a wrongful termination suit. Fu-k ‘em.
I will give you the benefit of the doubt but Dell is a Texas company. Here in Texas, it’s a “right to work” state, making workers ironically have less favorable to employment laws. You can sneeze in front of your manager and get fired for it.
This is why I say to get things in writing and check the employee handbook and other documents signed. Sure it’s also good to know your legal rights.
If you threaten HR with legal action, they’re going to lawyer up and it gives them an opportunity to make a strong defense should you pursue filing a lawsuit. It would be like telling the cops that you’re going to do a crime at a specific time and place before committing the crime.
@dn Wrong. In the USA employers can legally cancel approved time off unless there is a state law against it and very few states have such laws.
This is in October. Your manager must have crazy foresight to know that this wouldn’t be a good time.
Anyway, I’m going to have to agree with others here: I don’t think HR is going to help. Anything you say to them is recorded. Check the employee handbook first before you say anything. Make sure you have your manager’s rejection in writing otherwise it’s hearsay. If it violates the employee handbook and other agreements you signed when you joined the company, THEN you can present it to HR.
HR, despite their name, is NOT on your side.
You’ll be fine. You tell them your manager is going back on their word. They can’t do that. You are legally entitled to take approved vacation. If there are repercussion's afterward they’d get sued.
BTW - your manager is sh!t and should be fired for pulling something like that.
Just remember you are not asking for the time, you are telling them you are going to be off. If it has been agreed to and now the manager doesn't have cover or whatever that's on them. You gave them plenty of advance notice
You’re as good as gone! Ba-bye!
The statement I got from my manager last year was that Dell reserves the right to reschedule or cancel all pto requests and if you don't like it there's the door.
HR isn't your friend and is there to protect the company. They will do anything to sc--w you over.
@OP Welcome to Dell. I get 4 weeks of vacation every year but am lucky if management will approve more than 5 nonconsecutive of it. Been that way since Dell bought EMC.
Unless you are in Europe, two week vacations are practically unheard of at Dell.
It took me 15 years to realize this and I may be accused of cynisism, but here goes.: Think of HR as system maintenance. They make sure you have the benefits promised, your paycheck gets deposited and may even resolved a minor spat between you and a manage. But like any good system maintenance dept, once you high maintenance you will be in line for replacement.
My guess, there is probably some fine print in vacation policy that says it has to be when convenient. And what was convenient several months ago may not be convenient today.
Think carefully before complaining because either way your manager won’t be punished.
Remember, HR is not your friend.
BYE BYE ENJOY YOUR LIFE WHEREVER YOU LAND YOUR NEW JOB. ROFL!!
HR’s primary role is to protect the company from legal and financial risk. While they may provide support to employees in some situations, their ultimate obligation is to Dell as an organization. Employees should understand that HR is not an independent advocate, and that business interests will always come first.
Thank you for the layoff information.
yeah, some ppl might say posting it on a Dell layoff message board and then contacting hr immediately after with the same issue posted here that hr can very easily connect the dots, but just ignore that hype, that's impossible, I'm sure you'll be fine.
Might as well pack up all your belongings. Your badge might not work anymore once you’re back.
Just remember, HR is there to keep the company from being sued. HR is not your friend and is not there to have your back. Be careful what you say.
Let us know how that works out for you