Employee Shares TikTok Saying That Her Manager Won't Let Her Take Vacation Time, Gets Help Online

Employers do not always treat their employees with respect and fairness. This can be particularly problematic for those in low-wage or part-time positions, who often lack the power to challenge their employer's unfair practices.

In these cases, employees may face discrimination, unfair wages, or even illegal working conditions. In some instances, employees may not even be aware of their rights or may be afraid to speak up.

In other cases, the employer may be aware of their rights but choose to ignore them, or they may be actively hostile toward employees who attempt to exercise their rights. Recently, a TikTok user named Kaylina (kaylinaaaaa) went viral when she shared her story about her boss denying her vacation time that was included in her contract.

She was planning a trip to Houston six weeks in advance and didn't think to ask her manager if it was okay since she had plenty of time to approve her days off. However, when she approached her boss, they refused to let her take time off.

So, Kaylina posted a video asking for legal advice, saying, "I need somebody to tell me if it's illegal not to have vacation time." Watch the video below:

“I need somebody to tell me if it’s illegal to not have vacation time.”

kaylinaaaaa via TikTok

In her nearly three-minute explanation, Kaylina revealed that she had purchased a good deal on a flight to Houston, which was still six weeks away, so she did not consider asking for permission. However, when she went to work shortly after, her boss asked what her time-off request meant, and she simply replied that she was “going on vacation.”

Her manager then became hostile and said, “Well, I hope you didn’t book anything.” Kaylina responded calmly, “I did.”

“Well, I hope you got insurance on whatever you booked because I can’t make any promises to you,” her manager responded, according to Kaylina’s explanation

The TikToker recounted how her manager attempted to excuse the denial of her time-off request by citing that the business was "short-staffed." Kaylina pointed out that a fellow employee was currently away on vacation and that the company had only been short-staffed for a month, but her manager refused to accept this.

Kaylina's TikTok video about her boss denying her the chance to use her vacation days was seen by more than 1 million people.

She then proceeded to falsely state that Kaylina was not allowed vacation time and refused to cover her 12-hour shift, although Kaylina had covered the manager's shift the day before.

“I’m going on this vacation no matter what. I don’t care what she says. What is she gonna do, fire me? No, because she needs me.”

After doing a bit of investigation, Kaylina found out that, as a full-time employee, she was entitled to take a vacation after three months of working for the company. She was already four months in, so the TikToker announced that she was planning to take her Houston vacation and look for a new job.

Her viewers agreed that she had the right to take her vacation and suggested that she should just take it without asking for permission.

Here is what people had to say:

kaylinaaaaa via TikTok

PTO is her right

kaylinaaaaa via TikTok

Well, this was an interesting and insightful story. What is your opinion regarding Kaylina's predicament?

Do you believe that it is ultimately the decision of management whether or not she is given time off? Or is the TikToker justified in being frustrated since she followed the proper steps for requesting vacation time yet was still denied?