Workplace Basics

Using vacation and personal days

Scenario:
Your young child brings home a note from school stating that students are putting on a special presentation to which parents are invited. You notice that the presentation is scheduled during your work hours, but you'd really like to attend. Plus, there are several errands you haven't been able to take care of recently. Should you take a personal or vacation day?

Sometimes it can be difficult to determine whether you should use a personal or vacation day.

Before you take a personal or vacation day, consider the following:

• Do you have any personal or vacation benefits? If so, how much do you have?
• Why do you need to use a personal or vacation day?
• Do you have a trip scheduled?
• Are you simply tired or burned out?
• Do you have things to do that can't be accomplished after work or on the weekend?
• Is it a religious holiday?
• If you do not have personal or vacation benefits, can you afford to miss a day's pay?
• Are there any consequences that might result from taking a personal or vacation day?
  
  

If you decide to take a personal or vacation day:

• Figure out the best time to take leave so no one will have to do your work for you.
• Follow your employer's procedure for scheduling vacation and personal days.
• If possible, ask your supervisor at least two weeks in advance.
• Inform the supervisor of any responsibilities that will need to get accomplished by another coworker.