Need some brethren advice

[FreakofSnow]

I am badly in need of some ski brethren advice. I need to figure out a way to get on the hill during the week. Just for background’s sake, I have had my current software industry job for just over 3 years. I recently got a new boss, who has been pretty good to work for so far, he is remote out of another office. I am pretty much expected to be there 8-5 Mon through Fri.

I have 3 weeks paid vacation stocked up. So here’s my delimna. I would really like to take at least a month OR figure out a schedule that gets me on the hill a few weekdays.

How do I pose this to the boss?

Thanks mangs

[summit]

Perhaps I'm not the right person to ask seeing as how I live 1 mile from the slopes and ski all the time...

Perhaps I'm the right person to ask b/c I'm good at milking the system.

Your first goal is to guage his succeptability to the straightforward requested. IOW, what kind of person is your boss, what does he think of you, what will it mean for him and your office if you are gone for 3 weeks? Is it realistic to expect him to say yes? Otherwise you need to make him think its a very good idea to let you go... develop a mental problem or maybe a "relative" needs to "pass away"

Raise your hand if you got PMd?

[Superstar Punani]

shoot the hostage.

[MT]

Would you like me to go in and negotiate on your behalf I'll kick what limited creative resources I have into high gear over the next few days and see if I can come up with some legitimate help on this boss issue.

[gincognito]

Well, if you use ACE as an example, it seems anything is negotiable if you are valued by your employer (or future employer as the case was).

I'd say it totally depends on your boss and your relationship with him. I don't think it ever hurts to ask - though it may be getting kind of late to spring any special demands on him. Is there any way to instil some flexibility in your work day? Work some evenings, weekends, to build up more vacation days?

If not, take the three weeks and worry about getting more later.

Sick and ashamed and happy (and apparently knowing my shit (though I wouldn't count on it)),
d.

[Cornholio]

If your goal for finishing this project is this season, and you're sure that you need the month, then I would push for the time you need.

If I'm your boss, though, I want to know as soon as possible... that's only fair, I think.

Maybe approach it like this: "I have a unique opportunity this spring to... It's important to me that I finish this.... I'm committed to work, but don't want to let this chance get by..."

Good luck!

[iceman]

So what is this secret project?

[Buzzworthy]

I agree with Cornholio. Don't lie, lay it all out in a positve way in which you show and discuss your dedication to your career, but you do have a unigue opportunity that you would not want to pass up, as it may not ever surface again.

You get 100% of what you do not ask for. If he is a decent boss, he may say yes or he may want to think about it and compromise.

He will also want to take into account how unique this opportunity is. Since we do not know what it is, it is hard to speculate what his potential answer may be.

Can you adjust your schedule to 4 10's, comp time, ..... explore options. Go into your boss with several scenarios, positive about work, and have solutions to his questions that may pose problems. I always get more when I am solution oriented.

Be honest, and think about your game plan before you ask for that meeting.

That is my 2 cents as a weekend warrior in a career position.

And yes, I raise my hand.

[Jiffy]

ive got a 5 day a week senior position and never have any vacation days, so i routinely take weeks off at a time w/o pay. Just plan it, do it, then tell someone (just make sure your co-workers dont have to pick up to much of your slack)

[The Reverend Floater]

Agree with Cornhole. I'd request half paid and half unpaid, if you can. That way you save some vacatoin time and your boss doesn't feel like you're bleeding him dry while you're gone.

Be honest and the worse thing that can happen is rejection, in which case you should walk into the office, guns blazing.

[fez]

how about trying for some sort of deal where you can do work at home at night?

[Foggy_Goggles]

Keep the advise coming! This Monday I'm about to drop the bomb and ask for a one month leave to kayak the Grand Canyon (private permit, 21days on the water) a week after coming back from bc in BC.

rant: In the three years (almost) I've worked here, I've taken exactly 2 sick days including shoulder reconstructive surgery. Folks are out all the time for family illness, pregnancy, and other reasons. But because my request is for "recreation", it will be looked at differently.

[splat]

Can you get him out of the office to ask over lunch or beer?

[FreakofSnow]

FKNA! Just the type of responses I was hoping for. So basically the bossman really likes me, I am a top performer in my department. I don’t call in sick, have only done so twice in 3 years and both were for pow days. I obviously don’t take much vacation.

I think my plan will be to do this stat & be very honest about my plans. Also being well prepared for any potential questions or diversions. One luxury that I do have is our product is web based, our company is super email focused, so if worst came to worst I hope I can talk him into doing some work from home OR some other compromise.

IF any of this fails I will revert back to the Reverend's plan

[Crinkle]

Do you need slope time near home? Or do you need to travel??

If you can do it near home, how about asking for some Flex time? going into work early or late, working weekends.

That is what i do.

[Arty50]

The once in a lifetime thing worked for me. Not only did I get the 6 months I requested for this winter, but they also tacked on an extra 2. So I'm on an 8 month personal leave. Hmmm...Las Lenas or New Zealand...

Granted, the current retirement situation in the defense industry probably helped me immensely. But it was amazing the support I got from everyone. People who I fully expected to tell me I was crazy ended up being very supportive of my ski bum pursuits.

[drdirt]

does your cell get reception on Bridger lift? Talk to your clients between ridge shots.

[FreakofSnow]

GOT IN THE BAG! Worked a deal with the boss that allows me to take paid 2 weekday (ski from 9-1) mornings a week for the remainder of the season. It was pretty easy. I just lined out my schedule and workload.

The kicker was "I want to do what is right for the company and client, I am willing to do what it takes" <<< Corporate slutting at its best

[iceman]

Well, I guess this is a little late, but if you wanted a whole month off and you only had 3 weeks vacation, what you should have done is take the 3 weeks and then stayed out for a month.

"You've been gone a month."
"Yeah, I know."
"But you only had 3 weeks coming."
"Well, yeah. But I was sick one of those weeks, so I called in."
"You called in sick from vacation?"
"Well, of course. I'm not stupid, you know."