I worked for this company for three straight years without taking a single day off. No vacations. No breaks. Just nonstop work. When I finally requested my full 90 days of accumulated leave at once, I thought I’d earned it.
HR laughed.
They told me the leave was “too long” and said, “If you’re this lazy, maybe you should find another job.” My manager added that I couldn’t disappear for three months during the busiest season.
So I calmly replied, “That’s fine. I’ll just work two days a week until the end of the year.”
Everyone laughed, assuming I’d back down because I “needed” the job
What they didn’t know was that I’d already started applying to competitors. My plan was simple: use every approved vacation day to interview elsewhere. Then, when December hit — the company’s most chaotic, high-pressure season — I’d resign. No notice. No guilt.
This company had no problem taking three years of my time, energy, and loyalty without rest. But the moment I asked for recovery, I was labeled lazy.
Now I’m second-guessing myself.
Am I being petty for leaving over vacation drama? Or is it toxic for a workplace to believe it owns your time and decides when you’re allowed to rest?