So I got a job at Dairy Queen (I'm 17) because I wanted to save money to go on a trip this summer with my family. On the interview I told the manager I would need a week off. I recently asked her how many weeks in advance she needed to know the exact dates. She acted totally confused as if I never told her. She said she isn't letting me take the week off. I'm not sure what to do considering I only got the job to save for the trip. Also it's a family trip and since I'm turning 18 next year this may be my last chance..

Then you quit. DQ isn't obligated to give you time off so soon after starting your position. Unless you are in a profession, your employer does not have to give you time off unless you are employed for at least an entire year b

I'd quit as well... in fact I was in a similar situation with an early job and did just that. Go on the family trip, make great memories, and get a different job when you return. Family is far more important!

For future reference, as J_9 said, you often have to be working longer to get time off. Some places will honor a request when it is made known upon being hired, but they don't have to. Getting it in writing, if the situation comes up again, may encourage an employer to honor what they had previously agreed to.

I agree with J_9 and DoulaLC. You are almost certainly part time.. you unlikely have accrued that much leave if have recently started if you even HAVE any paid vacation or sick leave at all, which I highly doubt, and no employer gives it to you up front the first year even if you do have it. And even then, all leave time is at the discretion of management, PARTICULARLY unpaid time off.

You are an at-will employee. They can and likely will fire you if you take it without approval. Welcome to life and the real world. You will be dealing with this until you retire. Do what you want, but remember it carries consequences which will likely mean you will need to find another job elsewhere. And no you won't get to collect unemployment.

There are a couple of issues here. I'm assuming that you do not expect to be paid for this time off. Paid vacation is a benefit that employer can give if they chose to but there is no law that says they have to.

On the other hand, as long as you don't expect to get paid, I would assume that giving enough notice should allow you to take the time off. I would go back to your manager and explain that you had informed him during the interview process that you would need this time off. That you were being very professional in asking how much lead time he would need. Explain that this is a family vacation and the primary reason you took this job was to earn money to go on this trip.

If he still refuses to let you off, then wait until 2 weeks prior to the trip and give him notice that you will be away for this time and if he won't allow you the time off, then consider this notice that you are resigning.