Summer vacation for crew members Cancel The title field is required!

1. Jeffrey Sexton

   

   0 posts
   
   5/29/2012 6:05 PM

   Do you guys allow members of your staff to take week long vacations in the summer? How would you handle if your assistant or mechanic came to you and asked off for a week in July?
   
   Jeff Sexton
   Henderson CC
   Henderson, KY

   
   
   
   
2. Andy Jorgensen

   

   1 posts
   
   5/29/2012 6:05 PM

   If he earned it, then let him have it. What would happen if he quit? Would the entire operation stop?
   
   Now if it was during aerification or something major, that is different. But for a normal week, let 'em have it.

   
   
   
   
3. Keith Lamb

   

   3 posts
   
   5/29/2012 6:05 PM

   We have a yearly calendar in the breakroom the guys check before putting in their vacation request. I have blacked out dates for different events...aeration for one. As vacation is approved I black those dates out as our crew is not big enough for more than one taking off unless I can arrange it on a case by case basis. This system has worked well for us for sometime. Vacation is a important job benefit that I take full advantage of and I expect my guys to do the same.

   
   
   
   
4. David Brandenburg

   

   3 posts
   
   5/29/2012 7:05 PM

   I encourage it. Working a golf course is a job, not a life. When your here, give me your all, when your not, try not to think about us.
   
   We just make it work. Yes we are shortstaffed but others pitch in and everything gets done.

   
   
   
   
5. Keith Pegg

   

   0 posts
   
   5/29/2012 10:05 PM

   My staff by local Law gets some of their Vacation in the summer. I just limit how many at one time. Myself I only take winter leave. I agree that life is more important than work.
   
   Keith

   
   
   
   
6. Kenneth Ingram

   

   18 posts
   
   5/30/2012 7:05 AM

   The letter of the law puts you (employer) in total control. You have no obligation to provide vacation or any other benefit and can certainly control when it is taken. (Exceptions being unions, government contract work, and certain jurisdictions like here in DC, etc. Employers must pay time and a half after 40 and the saftey-net benefits of workers comp and unemployment insurance also. A use it or lose it policy is legal also)
   
   But the spirit of the law is obviously different. You provide vacation for morale, well being, to attract good employees, etc. Giving employees the option to take their vacation when they desire is huge be it summer, hunting season, etc. Two weeks off in January is not a very attractive benefit for most employees and could counteract your entire benefit package.
   
   Let them have a week in the summer. I wouldn't allow two weeks though. It will make you a better manager and will empower your staff to cover the man-down situation.
   
   Obviously I'm no lawyer, just a broke down greenkeeper. But I do teach an HR class and try to keep up with this stuff. Good luck. Kenneth Ingram, UMD

   
   
   
   
7. Gary Carls

   

   19 posts
   
   5/30/2012 8:05 AM

   Same as most of the others. We try and limit it to one guy at a time and not more than a week. It really helps build morale especially when many of the crew want to take vacations with their kids while they are out of school. Everyone else works a little harder knowing that they will have the same opportunity if they want the time off.

   
   Gary K. Carls, CGCS, President - Oakland Turfgrass Education Initiative
   
   
8. McCallum David K

   
   5/31/2012 9:05 AM

   We have one week in the summer in which vacation is not allowed, the last week of July which is the week of our annual shareholders meeting, dinner, golf etc.............but other than that week its all basically open. Senority rules and gets first choice of dates. I think guys with kids its only fair to allow them family time in the summer. I do not and take mine piecemeal to begin with.........let the family guys take it when needed.

   
   
   
   
9. James Smith

   

   112 posts
   
   6/7/2012 10:06 AM

   I strongly believe that it is only fair that your crew can use summer time for vacations and while I also do not like two week vacations being taken I have to look at the individual before saying no. Younger families may only be able to take vacations during the school break and what if they want to take a family vacation to DC to see our capital and the Museums. Do you forbid it as an employer? This is just a scenario that I hope opens your mind to your crew members happiness.
   
   As workers we all deserve a right to take earned time off. Just two years back I took a trip to the Grand Canyon. Me and the wifey drove and spent 10 days away from the course. It was the best time I had in 17 years. We could of easily of spent another 4-5 days. We do not have kids but for a family I can see where taking the extra time would make a priceless family memory. As a kid myself my parents took us on many yearly vacations where we were on the road for a few weeks. I still remember many of those trips like it was yesterday.
   
   Maybe you could set limits on being able to take the extra time like being employed for 5 years before you can use two weeks in a row off. but by all means let you help use summer vacations, even if it puts you short handed. Why should they be denied a vacation when the weather is at its best. I personally do not enjoy cold weather vacations unless I intend to play in the snow.
   
   Just my 2 cents

   
   
   
   
10. Nicholas Daak

    

    3 posts
    
    7/6/2012 11:07 AM

    After two weeks of 85+ degree heat and the last one averaging 80 degrees at night and 105 degrees heat index in the day, I decided to take a few days to get the course back in shape and then take the family to the Dells. 3 days of much needed relaxation and a cool down. Well it actually turns into working till noon, gone a full day, and working afternoon on the third even though Management thinks that's 3 days off.

    
    
    
    
11. Wydra David A

    
    7/6/2012 1:07 PM

    As an assistant superintendent, I am allowed to take a week during the summer. My wife is a teacher and all three kids are in school, so there isn't a lot of other times during the year that we all have the opportunity to go somewhere together for any extended length of time. This is the first course I have EVER worked at that has allowed me to do this, so words almost cannot describe just how much I appreciate that week with my family. I come back rejuvenated, motivated, and greatful to be working under a superintendent that actually cares about me. It makes a huge difference for morale and dedication, not only for me, but the other staffers as well. But like the others have said, you gotta earn it to get it, regardless of whether its a paid or unpaid benefit. I do nearly all of the scheduling and approving of time off for my staff, and have found myself bending over backwards for guys sometimes. But it has ALWAYS paid off. They come back the same way I do - ready to work and happy to do it. If your guy is worth it, just tell him "See ya in a week - have a great time"
    Dave Wydra
    Asst Supt
    Awbrey Glen GC
    Bend, OR

    
    
    
    
12. Ryan Walsh

    

    0 posts
    
    1/17/2013 9:01 AM

    I'm in the Northeast, and our club has a policy that vacation time shall be taken between November-April. Consecutive days off are not granted from May-October.

    
    
    
    
13. Ronald Conard

    

    4 posts
    
    1/17/2013 11:01 AM

    I was watching a program on TED on a long flight recently. But one of the topics was life and death and one of the number one deathbed regrets was "I wish I hadn't work so much."
    
    Time off...I think it is one of the best gifts you can give an employee. We always hear about "thinking outside the box, yada yada yada", when it comes to management. What gives in our culture whereby nobody considers time-off from work as one hell of a motivator? In fact it is viewed as sacrilege.
    
    We want production but we grind people into the dirt. Especially in this economy. But isn't production even more important now? How can we expect production with policies that won't allow employees to enjoy some free time in the summer with their families?

    
    
    
    
14. Jennifer Torres

    

    2 posts
    
    1/21/2013 8:01 AM

    Since becoming an Assistant I now plan my vacations between October and March. The schools my children go to don't really like it but I have to do what I am told. We do allow a day here or there but as for an entire week during the season for most of us we would not even think of it! It is just part of our occupation.