# How should I handle this? (Employment-related) **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 7, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-handle-this-employment-related/476137 "2008-12-07T15:55:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Agent\_Foxtrot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9fc29f/32.png) [@Agent\_Foxtrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Agent_Foxtrot)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2008, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-handle-this-employment-related/476137/1 "2008-12-07T15:55:50Z")
I am starting a new job tomorrow. I know that it’s pretty much suicide to ask for vacation right off the bat, but I have had some long-standing plans to host some friends coming into town around Jan. 20 to see the inauguration with me. Because of the odd way my hiring was handled plus me not having time to call my prospective boss, the new job doesn’t know I want that time off next month. So how and when should I ask for three or so days off? Do I wait a couple of weeks? Should I ask them on the first day, saying, “I know this goes against employment etiquette, but…?” Any ideas? ---
**Author:** ![Karyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/fbc32d/32.png) [@Karyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karyn)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2008, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-handle-this-employment-related/476137/2 "2008-12-07T16:12:20Z")
It’s not all that uncommon for people to discuss pre-planned vacations when they accept a job offer but it sounds like you didn’t have time to do that. I’d discuss it with them within the first week, but not on the first day unless you’re doing some sort of orientation with your boss. Minimizing the time that you need off and giving as much notice as possible is always appreciated. Are you prepared to cancel your plans if your boss asks you to? ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2008, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-handle-this-employment-related/476137/3 "2008-12-07T16:24:12Z")
You know, every time you start a new job, you automatically get four new grandparents, any of which could be on death’s door. Just sayin’. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-handle-this-employment-related/476137/4 "2008-12-07T16:37:19Z")
As long as you’re not expecting to get paid for those days – and state when you’re telling them that you need those days off that you’re asking for unpaid leave – there shouldn’t be a problem. It’s actually fairly common for people to come into a job with something coming up that they’ll need to take days off for. Congrats on the new job! ---
**Author:** ![Projammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/projammer/32/559_2.png) [@Projammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Projammer)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2008, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-handle-this-employment-related/476137/5 "2008-12-07T16:46:55Z")
I’ve never worked anywhere that had any trouble accomodating commitments made prior to starting with them. Just let them know as soon as possible. YMMV of course, but barring specific circumstances, them having a problem with it would be a red flag for me. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2008, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-handle-this-employment-related/476137/6 "2008-12-07T17:10:01Z")
I don’t know. Maybe I’m a hardass, but I’d question three whole days to entertain visitors. It’d be different if you’d planned a trip, bought airline tickets, made hotel reservations. If you’ll be missing out on training, if someone has to cover for you, or if a project will be delayed – and if this job was hard to find and you’re anxious about starting off on the right foot – I’d let the visitors entertain themselves while you’re at the new job. They should understand. But if the visitors are your parents, grandparents, or in-laws – your boss might look at it more favorably. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2008, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-should-i-handle-this-employment-related/476137/7 "2008-12-07T19:01:49Z")
Don’t tell them what it’s for, but own up first thing, is what I would do. And did, when I was recently changing jobs. Say you’re sorry but you have a previous commitment you cannot now change, offer to make up the time. Everybody has commitments, in life, some that cannot be changed on short notice. They’ll understand.