[IL] Retail Job, having issues with PTO
I work in a retail store in a mall. I’ve worked there for 7 plus years. Every year for vacation, I would take about 17-20 days of each year during are slow season, usually end of August, beginning of weeks of September. It has always been approved, with no questions asked.
Now last year they were giving me issues because of requested off at the same time, but I was the store manager at the time. But one of my close family members passed away, and they just approved it.
This year I stepped down to be a regular manager. (still Full time) In hopes that they would let me do the vacation again without issues. And I was met with them saying that they can’t have a manager out of the business for more than 10 business days in a row.
I checked the handbook, and all of the policies, and it says nothing about the limit on PTO. I even wrote a email to HR, but I now sure what this really means.
“The Associate Handbook does not specify a maximum number of PTO days that an associate may request or take at one time. However, all PTO requests are subject to supervisor approval and consideration of business needs. PTO balances indicate the amount of available paid time off an associate has accrued, but having available PTO does not guarantee approval for any specific dates requested. Supervisors evaluate each request based on factors such as operational requirements, staffing levels, and the ability to maintain business continuity. As a result, PTO requests may be approved, modified, or denied depending on the circumstances at the time of the request. I have been made aware your supervisor has approved 10 days for your requested time off due to the needs of the business and store during that time.”
And I have talked to the store manager about it, and they do not want to get in trouble and have their job on the line if they accepted my longer vacation now.
Edit* My question is how do I get my time off approved without the fear of loosing my job or getting my store manager in trouble?