How is it that Kroger gives, in my case, 5 weeks vacation and won't allow you to take them when you want them? Who wants to go on vacation in Jan. Feb. Mar.? April is blacklisted, as well as most of May. You can go in June, July, or August, if your seniority allows. But, if the kids that work there have parents at other employment go on vacation, they get priority regardless of how much senority you have. Parents go, kids go. And most of the time, only one can go at a time, like cashiers. Blackout is Thunder, Derby, graduation, spring break, and manager week.
In my area management is not allowed to black out any weeks, but can make exceptions for business needs. And there is only a limit on how many people can go in a week.
Only one to a dept, such as up front, office, etc. can take a vacation. Blackout weeks are enormous at this store as well as another store I worked. Okay, you can't take one week in March, two weeks in April, two weeks in May. Over a 150 employees with at least three weeks a year and they have to fit them all in June, July, August, maybe Sept. and maybe around Christmas. But Christmas week is blacked out. Too busy. Who wants to go in Jan. Feb. Most of March on vacation somewhere? October is questionable as you never know if it going to snow, freeze, be hot, etc. Now, all vacation requests have to be in by March 15th. You put down five weeks vacation, wait, plan, and someone, just one takes your week with a bit more seniority. Fine, now after the deadline, I have to have it approved, as well as the other weeks that got knocked out. And you have to put down what week you are going in August???
What's wrong with taking a vacation in January, February, or March? I've done it before...Just go to a place like Florida, where it's a nice 70 degrees in winter...I did that once...I like to break things up and not use up my vacation time all at once, but I realize some people want to take the summer off...I say let the veteran guys take the summer off...More hours for the young guys!!!
The only trick is if you have to plan a vacation in advance for a certain time...It's one thing, if you're staying home, but if you're going on a trip, it can be tricky...I say PLAN WELL IN ADVANCE, if you can, and get your manager to approve it...Write it on a schedule or calendar...Work with your store manager and department head...It may not always work out in your favor, so try to plan for any contingency or snafu, but most times, based on what I've seen and experienced, you'll probably get it if you plan in advance...Going on vacation, and tell someone at the last minute, though? Tough luck!!!
