Poll: Who should get priority if if too many people want time off from work at the same time? (employee, highest)

[mitsguy2001]

As I mentoned in another thread, my employer does not have any official policy to deal with the situation where several people request time off at the same time, and due to workload, not everyone's time off can be accommodated. Just out of curiosity, what does everyone think is the most fair system? In each case, assume that the policy is applied consistently, and it's not a popularity contest. If you want, you can post here to explain why you chose the option that you did. If you choose "Other", post what you are suggesting.

[mitsguy2001]

To clarify Option 3, Based on why the time off is requested (which is the option I selected), I am referring to prioritizing certain activities, based on how much of a hardship it would cause to deny the time off. A possible order, from highest to lowest priority is:

1. Once in a lifetime events, such as a wedding, that can't be done anything else
2. Religious observances, which are as important as #1, but occur every year, rather than just once
3. Plans requiring non-refundable travel outside commuting distance to work
4. Plans requiring refundable travel outside commuting distance to work
5. Plans that do not require travel, and can be done at any time, such as sitting home and watching TV

[mitsguy2001]

I should also mention that before applying any priority order, they should first ask (but not pressure) if anyone is willing to change their time off to a different week. Someone who has no fixed plans (either not involving travel, or involving fully refundable travel that can be changed with no penalty to a different week) might be willing to change their time off to a different week. Even if it is to try to get future favorable treatment.

[313Weather]

I'm in complete agreement with you.

[knt1229]

First come first served. Whoever asked for the time first would get it. Anything else becomes too cumbersome to track.

[BigFish_LittleFish]

Flip a coin

[Kibbiekat]

I vote whoever asked first, unless there is an illness or death in the family. We are told to ask for time off before booking trips. When more than one person wants the same days, they try to accommodate everyone by asking people to adjust their days a little. I'm not sure how often that happens. We'll see how that works.

[Hemlock140]

You cannot "judge" the worthiness of the employee reason for wanting time off, that's asking for trouble. I would consider a death in the family as the number one priority, beyond that either seniority or first come would be satisfactory. I would certainly want to have that know, if not by written policy at least by e-mail to all staff in advance of such a situation, however, because once the conflict has surfaced, the criteria could be considered favoritism to the person that benefits from the choice. If they have all asked already, I would suggest something like drawing straws. How many days are involved? For 1-2 days I'd even go ahead and bite the bullet and manage with 2-3 gone at the same time.

[NJBest]

If I were to create a policy I would implement order of request with exceptions for unusual circumstances.

[PacificFlights]

Originally Posted by mitsguy2001

To clarify Option 3, Based on why the time off is requested (which is the option I selected), I am referring to prioritizing certain activities, based on how much of a hardship it would cause to deny the time off. A possible order, from highest to lowest priority is:

1. Once in a lifetime events, such as a wedding, that can't be done anything else
2. Religious observances, which are as important as #1, but occur every year, rather than just once
3. Plans requiring non-refundable travel outside commuting distance to work
4. Plans requiring refundable travel outside commuting distance to work
5. Plans that do not require travel, and can be done at any time, such as sitting home and watching TV

You are proposing a left field process. As Hemlock said, how do you "prioritoze" the value of these items in a workplace? Look at number 1 alone, are you saying that a person who's marital status change is more deserving of prioroty scheduling over a singe person who has a chance to get some wham-bam with a hottie? I also think #2 is just that and and will have you ducking for cover in the court room. Number 3??? you got to be kidding, just because I like to travel first class on refundable tickets mean i'm less apriorty over cheapo non refundable ticket worker??, please your way out of left field and even pass the parking lot on #'s 3, 4, &5 ......