AITA for ignoring my boss and blocking his number on my vacation?
Taking vacation should be a time to relax and disconnect, but what happens when your boss refuses to respect boundaries? That’s what happened to OP, a security guard who took five days off to spend time with her long-distance boyfriend. Just as she was leaving work, her new boss of two weeks demanded she stay to cover a shift.
When she refused, he harassed her with texts, calls, and emails throughout her entire vacation. OP ignored him, blocked his number, and focused on her time off. But when she returned, she was written up for being “unprofessional” and not responding to emails. Now she’s wondering—was she wrong, or is this something she should report?
‘AITA for ignoring my boss and blocking his number on my vacation?’
Expert Opinion:
Why Your Time Off Is YOUR Time Off
According to employment law expert Professor David Weil, employers cannot require employees to work during unpaid time off unless it is contractually agreed upon. If a boss harasses an employee on vacation, it could be a violation of labor laws and grounds for a workplace complaint.
Workplace Retaliation & Why OP’s Write-Up Is Illegal
HR specialist Julie Elberfeld explains that retaliating against an employee for taking legitimate time off is unethical and could be illegal. Writing someone up for ignoring non-mandatory emails while on vacation is a classic example of retaliation.
In OP’s case, her boss not only disrespected her time off but also punished her for enforcing boundaries—which is a major red flag.
Solutions & What OP Should Do Next
- Report the Harassment to HR: Save all texts, emails, and call logs as evidence and file a formal complaint.
- Challenge the Write-Up: Request HR to remove the write-up on the basis of retaliation for legally protected time off.
- Know Your Legal Rights: In many countries, including the U.S. and Canada, harassment during vacation time can be a labor violation—OP should consult a labor board if HR fails to act.
- Consider Future Career Moves: If the work environment remains toxic, OP should start looking for a job where boundaries are respected.
Here’s what Redditors had to say:
What do you think—should OP escalate this further, or is there another way to handle the situation? Drop your thoughts below!