AITA for refusing to come in to work during PTO because a co-worker keeps pressuring me?

r/

First post, honestly not entirely sure what I’m doing here but I’ve got a decent enough idea, I hope.

I have been working a part time job at a supermarket for nearly 4 years now, every year my and my family do this thing where we all go out camping for a week for my mothers birthday, so we always do our best to synchronize and schedule our PTO for the same week off so we can go up to camp. This time however, my bf who lives halfway across the country suggested he could get that same week off at his own place of work to come up to visit instead, this would be the first time we would be in the same place since we started dating. The General Manager (GM) told me I don’t have to worry and that I can still get the PTO even if I am staying home to spend time with my bf, however one Co-Worker (CW) who joined only a few months ago, keeps dropping not so subtle hints to outright telling me that I should be coming in anyway since I am not actually going camping with my family, and that I should be there to work my hours since “you only work part time, you have no excuse not to work a few extra hours since you’re not going anywhere.” Meanwhile, GM has continued to try and reassure me to just stop worrying about what he says since the PTO was approved before he even started working

Aside from that, we have a new hire who’s timing meant we wouldn’t have to worry about cover, but he ended up getting hurt and according to CW he will be out for the week, but I have not been told exactly how bad the injury was. Just 2 days ago, the day before the new hire got hurt CW confronted me and basically laid into me trying to get me to come into work on my PTO right in front of both the new hire and another co-worker, both of which later told me his actions were uncalled for, though nothing else has come of it yet. No matter what I said or told them it basically just came back to me ‘being lazy’ and not ‘stepping up’ despite me being the one that got them job only a few months ago. I keep trying to tell them that I already got the PTO approved and GM tells me not to come in, but CW continue to claim that I am lazy and leaving the new hire without any help.

AITA for refusing to cancel my paid time off?

Comments

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    First post, honestly not entirely sure what I’m doing here but I’ve got a decent enough idea, I hope.

    I have been working a part time job at a supermarket for nearly 4 years now, every year my and my family do this thing where we all go out camping for a week for my mothers birthday, so we always do our best to synchronize and schedule our PTO for the same week off so we can go up to camp. This time however, my bf who lives halfway across the country suggested he could get that same week off at his own place of work to come up to visit instead, this would be the first time we would be in the same place since we started dating. The General Manager (GM) told me I don’t have to worry and that I can still get the PTO even if I am staying home to spend time with my bf, however one Co-Worker (CW) who joined only a few months ago, keeps dropping not so subtle hints to outright telling me that I should be coming in anyway since I am not actually going camping with my family, and that I should be there to work my hours since “you only work part time, you have no excuse not to work a few extra hours since you’re not going anywhere.” Meanwhile, GM has continued to try and reassure me to just stop worrying about what he says since the PTO was approved before he even started working

    Aside from that, we have a new hire who’s timing meant we wouldn’t have to worry about cover, but he ended up getting hurt and according to CW he will be out for the week, but I have not been told exactly how bad the injury was. Just 2 days ago, the day before the new hire got hurt CW confronted me and basically laid into me trying to get me to come into work on my PTO right in front of both the new hire and another co-worker, both of which later told me his actions were uncalled for, though nothing else has come of it yet. No matter what I said or told them it basically just came back to me ‘being lazy’ and not ‘stepping up’ despite me being the one that got them job only a few months ago. I keep trying to tell them that I already got the PTO approved and GM tells me not to come in, but CW continue to claim that I am lazy and leaving the new hire without any help.

    AITA for refusing to cancel my paid time off?

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    Welcome to /r/AmITheAsshole. Please view our voting guide here, and remember to use only one judgement in your comment.

    OP has offered the following explanation for why they think they might be the asshole:

    > I am taking PTO to spend time with my bf rather than leaving to go camping with my family, and while my family aren’t against it, a co-worker, who is not even a manager, tells me that I shouldn’t take PTO and that I am the asshole for refusing to come in despite the time off being approved.

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  3. Lurking_87 Avatar

    NTA. Sounds like CW might be doing less than their fair share and worries it’ll become evident without you around working your ass off tbh

  4. Unhappy-Quail-2645 Avatar

    NTA. It’s literally no one’s business why or how you use your PTO. Management needs to step up and tell your co-worker to stay in their lane. 

  5. StAlvis Avatar

    NTA

    > this would be the first time we would be in the same place since we started dating.

    But you’re not actually dating, then.

  6. ScarletNotThatOne Avatar

    NTA. None of CW’s business when you take your time off. That’s between you and your manager.

  7. After_Visit631 Avatar

    NTA. PTO is time you’ve earned to do with as you please. Your coworker should mind their business. 

  8. Antique-Sherbet-7733 Avatar

    Why are you entertaining this person. Tell him to take it up with the GM and stop harassing you. Your time off is none of his business. 

  9. AnxiousCupOfChai Avatar

    NTA. Since when does using PTO require one to be out of the area? Plenty of people use pto to have a staycation. And in regards to “leaving to new hire without any help”—that is management’s responsibility to make sure shifts are covered, or your coworker can work those shifts himself if he is so concerned.

  10. BriefHorror Avatar

    NTA if you do not have to never tell anybody why you’re on PTO

  11. ReviewOk929 Avatar

    > one Co-Worker (CW) who joined only a few months ago, keeps dropping not so subtle hints to outright telling me that I should be coming in anyway since I am not actually going camping with my family

    NTA – Honestly, as I’ve got older I’ve learned to give less of a fuck about what this exact type of person thinks and go have even more of a good time, knowing they are stewing in their own miserly life. Enjoy yourself, fuck them.

  12. AngelZash Avatar

    NTA

    Tell the coworker that if they are so concerned, they can work doubles that week. You’re taking your earned and granted time off. If he continues to have a problem with it, complain to your manager that this coworker is harassing you. Because he is

  13. sunny_suburbia Avatar

    If he keeps harassing you about it, tell him to stop, and when he does it again report his ass to HR.

  14. Interesting_Wing_461 Avatar

    I never gave out info on what my personal plans were when I took time off. It’s nobody’s business if you are staying home or traveling.

  15. bobhand17123 Avatar

    NTA. Tell CW you and your bf have decided to go camping. If it ain’t any of his business, whatever you say is the truth.

  16. KatzAKat Avatar

    NTA. Paid time off means you don’t have to go to work. It doesn’t mean you have to do anything specific or be anywhere else. Heck, even vacations can be spent at home.

    Your co-worker just doesn’t want to have to work harder in your absence.

    Enjoy your time away from work.

  17. No-Assistant-1948 Avatar

    NTA.

    But let this be a lesson to you: don’t talk to work about PTO specifics.

    You let them know the dates you need off, the details aren’t their business.

  18. Ruebee90 Avatar

    NTA! CW must not be aware of work place harassment.

  19. maqf Avatar

    NTA

    It’s PTO, you can do whatever you want with your time, that’s how it works. It’s not like you’re taking bereavement, paternity/maternity leave or calling in sick to go camping. Being part time or full time shouldn’t matter, everyone deserves a break for a few consecutive days.

  20. NoQuestions1123 Avatar

    NTA but why did you tell coworker your plans had changed? Or even what your plans were to begin with?

    This coworker is just trying to gaslight you. He probably has to cover in some way for you (duties, coverage, hours, etc.) And is trying to weasel his way out of whatever. Hit him back with “I didn’t realize you think I’m so vital you can’t manage without me. That’s such a nice compliment!”

    Reject his premise and reframe it!

  21. Famous-Cockroach7279 Avatar

    Who goes to work on their day off ….:(

  22. wayward_painter Avatar

    NTA but you need to take this to HR. This is work place harassment. You have PTO, its approved. End of story, and this person being in your business is out of line. 

  23. jillian512 Avatar

    NTA. Your coworker is not in charge of scheduling or vacation time. They can keep their opinions to themselves. You aren’t responsible for ensuring the store has adequate staffing. Ever.

  24. IllustriousArmy3407 Avatar

    NTA they don’t need to know what you do with your PTO. If you requested it and it was approved. Then you are off. If plans change, you still get that PTO time. Just tell that person, oh we actually are going to go camping and just stay home. Stop sharing too much of your personal life with people that don’t have your best interest in mind.

  25. toosheeptheorist Avatar

    NTA – PTO is exactly that – paid time off, meaning it doesn’t matter WHAT your plans are, you do NOT come in to work. You could plan to spend the entire time contemplating your belly button lint, and you still would not have to come in to work.

  26. Overall_Round9846 Avatar

    If I were OP I’d file a formal harassment complaint against CW because this is clearly workplace harassment

  27. Putrid-Pickle-5813 Avatar

    NTA. You don’t need to justify your pto to your coworker, it’s none of this business and if they feel some sort of way about it then it’s their problem.

  28. Trick_Few Avatar

    NTA Lesson learned. You are never required to inform your employer or colleagues why you are taking PTO if advanced requirements are met. People feel like they can manipulate your time off.

  29. DoyoudotheDew Avatar

    NTA: tell CW to fuck off and mind their own business.

  30. AdmDuarte Avatar

    NTA. Never tell anyone why you’re taking time off, partly for reasons like this. Always respond to someone asking with a vague “personal reasons”. They don’t need to know, and as you experienced it can lead to drama

  31. nucleusambiguous7 Avatar

    NTA, have you reported your coworker for ongoing harrassment and bagering? You need to.

    Also, life lesson, don’t let your coworkers know your business. Especially assholes.

  32. bigtotoro Avatar

    I don’t take calls on off days.

  33. Dizzy_jones294 Avatar

    NTA Tell him it’s none of his business. When he calls you lazy tell him that’s better than trying to control other people and walk away.

  34. PurBldPrincess Avatar

    NTA. Doesn’t matter where you’re going to be for PTO. It’s your time off. Your coworker sucks.

  35. heatherbabydoll Avatar

    NTA every time they say something point out they’re not your boss and walk away

    Enjoy your time off

  36. christhedoll Avatar

    I’m going to say that CW should go pound rocks. What you do with your PTO is none of their business. NTA

  37. Fall_Relic Avatar

    You coworker doesn’t pay your bills. Your boss does. And if your boss says you can go, you can go. Let your coworker be salty about it.

  38. No-Broccoli-5932 Avatar

    NTA. These new people come in and try to arrange things for THEIR convenience. If you’re all good with management, tell CW to take up their problem with management. If they ask “what are you doing if you’re not working “, tell them, “Nunya. Nunya business “. For a little emphasis, “Suck it” can be added.

  39. donut_koharski Avatar

    NTA. Your boss needs to speak up to this coworker and demand they stop badgering you. This is untoward.

  40. Carebear7087 Avatar

    NTA, it’s your earned paid time off.. you’re entitled to use it however you want. You could use it and just sit in the parking lot of the grocery store if you felt like it.. it’s your business what you do with it, not your coworkers.

  41. HappyGardener52 Avatar

    First of all, keep your plans to yourself. It’s no one’s business what you do with your PTO. If it has been approved, no one should be telling you to come in. I feel like you must have mentioned changing your plans from camping to boyfriend time or no one would be hassling you about it. Since your PTO has been approved, it would not be right for your company to rescind it or to hassle you to come in during that time. Avoid discussing this with everyone. It’s no one’s business. As far as the co-worker goes, ignore them when they make comments in your presence, or tell them to mind their own business. Tell them you will not discuss your business with them. Period.