I put in my 2 weeks notice for my current employer and everyone was sorted with my boss. I didn't immediately reach out to HR/Payroll since my boss was looking to provide a counter offer to stay. The week before my last day I reached out to our HR/Payroll person on questions I had.
I had asked a few questions about health benefits, 401k and unused vacation time. I also asked to confirm she knew that I had previously approved time off for one day that week. All laid out all my questions in the first email.
HR got back but only answered about my Health Insurances.
I said thank you for all the info and asked the unanswered questions again.
I again don't have any of my additional questions answered. Her response was she can't check on how many vacation days I have because she was on vacation.
I said I am sorry to have reach out while she was on vacation. Is there anyone else with the company I can talk to about my questions?
She tells me no, She can look at my vacation days when she returns.
I respond by asking when she will be back, along with mentioning I primarily looking to find out if the company compensates employees for there unsued vacation time when leaving the company so I can descuss with my boss before I leave this week. I also re-mention that I wanted to confirm she was notified about my approved day off during the week and I was using a vacation day.
She responds back with:
“you get 12 vacation days a year. I will not be able to honor your request for using it when you have advised that you are leaving”
I email back:
I’m a bit confused by what you mean by not be able to “honor my request.
If you’re saying you that I cannot receive compensation for any unused vacation time, then I understand that and was just looking for that answer. I wasn’t making a request.
I have already been approved for Thursday 12th to take off. Are you saying you can’t honor that?
She emails back:
“PTO can be used up to the allotted time according to annual 12 PTO days”
Again she ignores my questions and repeats what she has already said.
I email back:
(Name) you are still not answering my questions. You are only solidifying my reasons for leaving Sakar with this poor communication.
I have had to ask the sample questions multiple times, with no responses or unrelating responses.
Yes or No, Does Sakar compensate for any unused vacation time when leaving the company?
Yes or No, Am I allowed to use my vacation days if approved for any days this week?
Regarding my approved time off Thursday 12th. This has been approved and I'm informing you to confirm you understand. This will be a Vacation Day.
“So I will not be able to honor your request for using it when you have advised that you are leaving.” I have not made a request I asked for information.
If there is a policy regarding taking any day off during the time of my resignation, I have no records of anything stating this exists.
To help. I have used 1 sick day this year and no Vacation Days.
I have yet to hear back after 2 days from this email. Instead I get a email from another employee saying that she has answered all my questions but they will respond how I would like.
They do answer all my questions by saying:
No the company does not compensate for unused vacation time when an employee leaves.
Apparently now the HR/Payroll person has mentioned this to my boss which has been CC on all the emails saying that she is upset and wants an apology from me.
I'm not going to apologize for stating the poor communication and requesting info that is here job to proved. I understand she is on vacation but the companies structure is she is the only person in the department who can answer these questions.