Got a new job... and plane tickets to go on vacation in 4 months--what do I do?

July 2, 2007 5:34 AM

I just accepted a new job and I start in 2 weeks... and I have plane tickets for a vacation in November that was planned months ago. How soon should I tell my new boss? (And should I have already?)
posted by awesomedude to Work & Money (11 answers total)

As soon as possible. Something like this probably should've been mentioned during the interviewing process. It's far enough away that it shouldn't be a problem, however it can change how things are viewed by your future employer. So pick up the phone and give them a ring.
posted by wile e at 5:36 AM on July 2, 2007

Tell the new boss between now and your start date.
posted by sjuhawk31 at 5:56 AM on July 2, 2007

You should have told them upon acceptance, but it probably isn't too late.
posted by caddis at 6:45 AM on July 2, 2007

Telling them on acceptance is probably best but just give them a ring, maybe say it slipped your mind but you hope it isn't a problem to schedule some holiday time already. It should be fine :)
posted by cardamine at 6:58 AM on July 2, 2007

It shouldnt be a problem, even if you told them on your start date you'd be giving them 3 and a half months notice.

Unless the new job needs months of training, it shouldnt be a problem.
posted by missmagenta at 7:36 AM on July 2, 2007

Just to add, if it was me, I wouldnt tell them till you start. Its way in advance so the 2 weeks between now and when you start isnt going to make much difference. When you start and you're being shown around and stuff you can casually ask what their procedure is for booking time off, how much notice they need etc and mention that you've got a holiday planned for November. Knowing what a new company expects of you in terms of booking vacation time is one of the questions on my list of 'things to ask new employers' - along with what time is lunch and where are the toilets (if they dont tell you - a lot of companies forget the little stuff like that)
posted by missmagenta at 7:42 AM on July 2, 2007

second missmagenta
posted by charlesv at 8:02 AM on July 2, 2007

How long is the vacation? 1 week? 2 weeks?

If it is a week I would just tell them when you start, anything longer than that tell them asap.
posted by outsider at 8:03 AM on July 2, 2007

Tell them ASAP, some places have a ridiculous six months before you start accruing vacation time.
posted by jamesonandwater at 9:29 AM on July 2, 2007

Second what jamesonandwater said. My first fulltime job was at a place with a policy like this. Call your hiring manager and explain the situation. And if it's two weeks or more and a high-pressure job like a startup, don't be surprised if the hiring manager is a bit ticked off.
posted by zippy at 11:05 AM on July 2, 2007

A lot depends on the line of work you're in and the demands of your department, as well. In my industry, it's typical for departments to allow only one person to go on vacation at a time. When I accepted my current job, it was contingent on my being able to take time off for a planned vacation (ahem, honeymoon). If I hadn't done that, I would not have been allowed to go. Someone else was already taking part of that period off.
posted by croutonsupafreak at 11:48 AM on July 2, 2007