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Is it appropriate ask an employee if they're coming in on approved time off?

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Is it appropriate ask an employee if they're coming in on approved time off?

I took 2 approved days off this week which I requested in advance, but I unexpectedly got sick with a nasty cold yesterday and today and had to call out (I have a few PTO days left). I let my boss and HR know that I wasn't able to come in. I received a text from HR today asking me if I'm still taking the 2 approved days off because unbeknownst to me, one of my other coworkers is out this week as well. Whenever I take PTO, I always let my coworkers know in advance. I responded back sayingI'm still taking my pto. Also I'm still sick and I'd rather not pass it on to my coworkers either. Its not a large office. I'm in NY. I get 5 sick days and 15 PTO where I work. PTO increases the longer you're there and I've been there 7 years. The longest I've taken PTO was 3 weeks when I needed unexpected surgery. I do not use my PTO often unless needed.

We have a large calendar at work. So whenever someone takes time off, HR writes their name and duration of time off. My name is up there. Also, HR marks when the office will be closed.

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  1. Anonymous

    OP here: Yes it is on the calendar. We have a large calendar at work whenever someone takes time off, HR writes their name and duration of time off. My name is up there. Also, I let my coworkers know in advance too.

  2. Anonymous

    Sounds like they asked and not demanded so I really don't see an issue.

  3. Anonymous

    One you let them know you are indeed taking the time off, make sure you have more of a PTO buffer if possible (strategically take time off)

  4. Anonymous

    COMPLETELY normal. For planning purposes and just Best Practices.

  5. Anonymous

    Given the timing of your sick day, yes this is appropriate to ask if you're still planning to take PTO. As someone else said, respond to HR that you still intend to take the two days of PTO and put it to bed. End of story. This reads like a solution in search of a problem.

  6. Anonymous

    I'm going to steal that last sentence, man does that describe too many things these days.

  7. Anonymous

    Sure, why not? You just take your pto and sick leave. Life happens.

  8. Lisa McCartney

    One thing that hasn't been mentioned, they may be asking because PTO is coded differently than sick time. So they may be asking if you'd rather use sick time vs. PTO. Just a thought.

  9. Dr. Patty Gross

    However, many companies have transitioned to a PTO pool of hours/days, rather than separating sick, personal, and vacation time. I have seen situations where a person who had exhausted their sick time had to convert to vacation, personal days, or unpaid, so this actually makes a lot of sense. Especially, because the flu is no way to take a vacation.

  10. Angelina Peters

    While I agree that many have just gone to a bucket PTO - OP specifically mentions they still have a sick and PTO bucket so I agree with Lisa that they could be asking so they can code correctly.

  11. Anonymous

    Yes, it is appropriate since they are clearly dealing with adequate or inadequate staffing levels and things do change. If they track it differently against your bank of time usable and do it incorrectly, please do correct them. Feel better soon.

  12. Anonymous

    Yes it’s perfectly acceptable for HR to see if you can revise your time off

  13. Joycelyn M. Siame

    Yes, it is appropriate for HR to ask. I don't think that there is anything underhanded going on there. They are just trying to ensure there is coverage.

  14. Anonymous

    They were just "asking" because unexpected absences hit the department.

  15. Amanda Brown

    A lot of people use all their PTO and sick days but the end of the year and have none left by now other than to cover the PTO they've prescheduled. They might see your days on the calendar but not realize you haven't used your full PTO/sick allotment, in which case they may be giving you the option so you could avoid losing pay if you had no days left. Also... Unless they roll over, use all your days before year-end! That's part of your compensation and you deserve them!

  16. Kimberly McKenzie-Klemm

    As I see it, you are being asked to cooperate with revising your schedule due to a short-handed situation arising. Unwillingness to reschedule your approved days off looks a bit like you do not care too much about your coworkers or your job.

  17. Anonymous

    She cares enough about her coworkers to not want to spread her germs around them.

  18. Anonymous

    As you say...

    You "unexpectedly" got sick - which left the office "unexpectedly" short staffed. They supported your sickness - Can't you willingly support them as well?

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