How important is time off and flexibility with work hours on your job?

As more and more pressure confronts customer service workers, just when works need just a little control of their lives it seems companies are becoming much more rigid on allowing time off. Time off could be to attend a school function with your child, doctor appointments or just a mental health break. It is very difficult when a person needs time off and regardless what they do if they are unable to get the time perhaps absence increases or we go to work miserable because we'd rather be somewhere else.

Some states have laws which assist with time off like Massachusetts where companies must give time off for school events for children. Now, it may not be paid but at least you can attend.

Does anyone out there have a story of trying to get time off and how they felt if it was denied? Or, if you live in a state that does have protections, let us know that too.

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Permalink Reply by Val on June 1, 2012 at 10:29am

Our mental breaks are just that….. A complete mental break down! We had an employee who thought he was having a heart attack on the sales floor. The paramedics arrived and took him the ER. After several tests they released him and determined it was not a heart attack. He was given an attendance occurrence for leaving work without pre approved time off.

Our current monthly quotes have be designed in a way that if you are sick, use your vacation or even have a baby…not being at work every day all day will affect your monthly quotes and may result in discipline or termination. The employees are afraid to use the entitlement time they have earned and what has been bargained for.

The only thing that matter is what the Company deems to be in their best interest and what will affect their bottom line!!!

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Permalink Reply by Lois J. Grimes-Patow on June 7, 2012 at 4:24pm

The issue of quota relief is a huge topic at our bargaining table. As you say people don't want to use their time because of the impact it could have on results. This will be a focus at the conference this year.