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You\u2019d think \u201centitlement\u201d means you have every right to use something as long as it\u2019s within the rules. But for one Redditor in Singapore, that wasn\u2019t quite the case at her workplace.<\/p>\n
The individual recently wrote a lengthy post titled “Thoughts on employees utilising the entire annual leave entitlement.” There, she shared that she was \u201cdisturbed\u201d by a comment her boss made about her taking time off.<\/p>\n
She explained: “He told me that I’ve been maximising my annual leaves and whatever leave benefits I have. For context, I was on maternity leave early this year and returned sometime in April.”<\/p>\n
Her job grants her 21 days of annual leave, but the company doesn\u2019t allow unused days to be carried forward, and only permits encashment for employees who resign. Because she returned in April without using any leave, she had been trying to clear all her days before the year ends.<\/p>\n
“I had already planned to clear 2 weeks’ worth of leave end of December and had communicated this to him early on. I’ve not even taken any MC since I returned from maternity,” she wrote. She added that although she had been hospitalised earlier this month and given 10 days of home leave, she returned to work after only four.<\/p>\n
Her boss, however, made it \u201cseem bad\u201d that she was utilising all 21 days \u2014 which would otherwise be forfeited \u2014 and commented that he himself hadn\u2019t had the chance to take leave due to their heavy workload.<\/p>\n
“At his pay grade, of course I wouldn\u2019t mind that trade-off either. He told me he will be forgoing some of his leaves, having leaves doesn’t mean we must utilise it all. Then what’s the point of giving 21 days of AL? As a junior, entry-level employee, it feels unfair for him to expect me to do the same when our job grades are clearly different,” she continued, ending her post with the question: “Am I in the wrong for utilising all my annual leaves?”<\/p>\n
Netizens quickly weighed in, with most encouraging her to take her leave regardless of what her boss said.<\/p>\n
Many pointed out that annual leave is a contractual entitlement and no boss should “guilt-trip” employees for using it.<\/p>\n
They also argued that if her boss couldn\u2019t take his own leave, that was his own issue \u2014 not hers. Some felt it showed he was \u201cresentful\u201d of his workload and simply wanted someone to \u201csuffer with him.\u201d<\/p>\n
Others weren\u2019t surprised, saying such \u201ctoxic\u201d work culture exists in many organisations, but urged her to stand firm since she was fully within her rights.<\/p>\n
“[You’re] not wrong at all! it\u2019s supposed to be used! Maximise is as much as you can. Don\u2019t tire yourself out and get burnt out just for a junior level pay,” one commenter wrote.<\/p>\n
Others called him a \u201cshit boss,\u201d with one saying it was simply his problem if he was unhappy. He was also labelled a \u201cred flag,\u201d with some even encouraging the OP to quit so she wouldn\u2019t have to deal with him.<\/p>\n
Even HR professionals chimed in, with one saying the boss clearly wanted her to be \u201ca corporate slave.\u201d<\/p>\n
When one netizen suggested her absence might increase colleagues\u2019 workloads, others swiftly countered that “it’s the company’s responsibility to manage the workload and hire maternity covers” \u2014 not hers.<\/p>\n
Still, one commenter added a note of realism: “Do you want to risk upsetting your relationship with your boss just because you want to clear all your leaves?”<\/p>\n
Ultimately, the OP received overwhelming reassurance that she should use her annual leave without guilt. Many shared that their companies actually remind employees to clear all their days before year-end \u2014 proof that her situation isn\u2019t the norm elsewhere.<\/p>\n
As one netizen bluntly put it: “Tell your boss to buy a dictionary and look up the definition of the word ‘entitlement.”<\/p>\n
What would you do in her position?<\/p>\n
Photos: Reddit,\u00a0energepic.com<\/a>\/ Pexels<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n