I have a pretty good job and I really get along well with my supervisor. However, today I sent in a vacation request to leave a couple of hours early the Friday before Easter in order to go on a family trip over Easter weekend. I previously requested and was approved to take a full day off the week after Easter and I have a doctor's appointment around the same time that will require me to leave the office for 2-3 hours. This is during a busy time in the office, but we work for the state so it's not like things can wait until I get back, especially for me to take off for two hours! Not only did my boss not approve the two hour request, she reminded me that she was apprehensive about me taking the other times off. I have plenty of vacation time so that isn't the issue. I'm so sick of my personal life taking a backseat to a job that I only have in order to pay for the many expenses in life – rent, car, gas, food, etc. I have a side job that I hope to make a full time career but it’s gonna take a long time for that to happen, until then, my time is less valuable than the institution I work for.