What to do about a policy that is not listed in the company handbook?
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What to do about a policy that is not listed in the company handbook?
I get paid by weekly. My boss approved my vacation. I worked 40 hours in the first week and then went on vacation so I had 16 hours of vacation in week 1. In week 2, I had 16 hours of vacation and completed the week with 40 hours of work. My HR stated that I could not work 40 hours and get paid vacation as is is considered cashing out vacation time, which apparently they don’t allow. I looked in our employee handbook and there is nothing to that effect stated in there. I stated to them that I had no choice but to work prior to taking vacation due to staffing requirements.
Asked on June 18, 2011 under Employment Labor Law, Florida
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
It's not necessary to describe every policy in an employee or company handbook. As a general rule, in the absence of an employment contract, employees are employees at will, which means that the companies can set work policies at will. If there is an employee handbook, that handbook may limit them as to anything described in the handbook, but will not affect them as to issues, policies, circumstances not listed in the handbook.
Typically, companies do *not* let an employee get paid for an entire week and then also get paid vacation time as well. That's to say that what you want to do is illegal, but it is unusual, against the norm, and probably not (depending on the exact circumstances, etc.) supported by labor law. It is unlikely you could require them to pay you for vacation for a week in which you earned your ful wages. That said, if this is important to you, you need to consult in person with an attorney who can evalute the company handbook, the authorizations you received, and all the circumstances in detail.
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