An employee recently shared the events that unfolded after coming back to work following a three-week vacation, which his employer had attempted to cancel.
Requesting time off can be a stressful endeavor. You have plans, perhaps even exciting ones, but ultimately, your time off hinges on your supervisor’s decision to grant or deny your leave.
Most supervisors approve such requests without much hassle, but one particular employer stirred up controversy by trying to retract approved leave through a text message.
The story came to light on TikTok, posted by user Michael Sanz, known as @theoutsourcingexpert. He shared screenshots sent by a viewer named Noel, who wanted to expose his boss, Nick.
Noel described receiving a message from Nick that canceled his leave due to another employee quitting.
Nick seemed to expect Noel to acquiesce easily, signing off with, “Appreciate your understanding.”
However, Noel had plans to attend his brother’s wedding in Bali and tried to communicate that canceling wasn’t ‘an option’.
Nick then proposed Noel take only three days off rather than the three weeks initially planned.
If I were traveling internationally to attend a family wedding, I would certainly want more than just one day there before heading back.
Noel proposed hiring a temp to fill in, but Nick remained firm on the leave being ‘canceled’.
Standing his ground, Noel opted out of work immediately and decided to start his vacation earlier than planned.
After Noel’s story gained traction on Michael’s TikTok, Michael provided an update.
In his follow-up message to Michael, Noel mentioned he shut his phone off for the entire duration of his vacation, saying, “I didn’t check socials or my emails.”
Despite Noel’s decision to disconnect, it was predictable that his employer wasn’t thrilled upon his return.
After coming back from Bali, Noel noticed the management team was ‘a bit distant’.
Following this experience, Noel decided to seek new employment and handed in his resignation.
He secured a new job with ‘higher pay’ and expressed gratitude for the ‘support’ he received after Michael shared his story.
Michael called it a ‘success story’, stating, “People see their value and they don’t need to put up with how their companies are treating them. So, well played, well done.”