Vacation Scheduling

December 15, 2004 10:52 AM

I work in a fairly small office where we are cross-trained on other positions in order to provide coverage when one of us is out of the office. Because of that, we are supposed to be careful about scheduling vacations. I have noticed my back-up person has scheduled vacation time on top of some of my own. Should I tell my boss, or just let it be a nasty surprise?
posted by omphale27 to work & money (5 comments total)

I think the considerate and professional thing to do would be to tell your boss so a big mess could be avoided. I guess you could go the nasty surprise route if you don't really like where you work or wanted to get your back-up in trouble (I'm assuming your back-up scheduled his/her vacation after you scheduled yours) but that seems kinda petty.
posted by DyRE at 10:58 AM on December 15, 2004

Definitely tell your boss. Or discuss it with the back up person first if you like, and figure out how you can manage to get the work done.
posted by orange swan at 11:02 AM on December 15, 2004

You should probably tell your boss, since he/she has a good case for getting his/her hackles up about not "carefully scheduling." Maybe you and back-up can break the news by offering to cross-train someone else(s) before you leave? It shows that you recognized a problem and took steps to fix it, which is likely going to be better received than "Sorry we fucked you!"
posted by Skot at 11:12 AM on December 15, 2004

Yes, I agree it's a good idea to discuss it with the boss in order to avoid workflow snags...but given the somewhat prickly interpersonal relationships round these parts, I am concerned that I will come across as whining. (Because, yes, way deep down I am whining.)
posted by omphale27 at 11:16 AM on December 15, 2004

Sort it out with your co-worker. If you need a boss to fix it for you, then take it to your boss. Failing to address a predicatable trainwreck (or the possibility of one) is a telling indicator of competence and commitment. Agree very much with what Skot said.
posted by cairnish at 11:20 AM on December 15, 2004