I work in a city in the smaller city (100,000 people). Not so big that it’s completely edged out family owned businesses but big enough that they have to compete with chains.
I was hired at an auto body shop to detail cars before they were returned to clients. The business was family owned, the team was small and friendly, and there was room for growth within the company. It was perfect since jobs at larger chain companies had burned me before and I vowed to never work them again.
When I was in the interviewing process I let them know that I would need a week to attend my brother’s wedding. “Not a problem” they said.
I worked for a month without much incident, just general things involved with getting used to a new job. When 2 weeks before the date I was scheduled to leave rolled around, I reminded the HR rep when I was planning to leave and why. “We usually ask for a month’s notice but no one one told you I guess” was the response I got, no indication or communication that I would have my employment terminated if I left for the wedding. The day before I left I let them know again that I’d be back in a week again no communication that I would be terminated.
I get home the day before I am supposed to be back at work, check my email before heading to bed and find a termination letter.
“We regret to inform… you had only worked for a month and a half before asking for a week off”
Seems like even the family owned businesses are compromised now
TL:DR: informed HR 3 separate times that I needed a week to attend my brother’s wedding. Fired anyways.