What can I do in PTO meeting?

Paid Time Off - is it our rights to use PTO?

• I'm geeting married in May and I told my supervisor back in February that I will take 2-weeks PTO. I've been working here for almost 4 years now and rarely take vacation. I went on vacation back in January for 2 weeks after 3 years not taking any vacation, and I had to take it because I have max out my PTO hours. I still have over 1 month worth of PTO, and told my supervisor that I will take 2-weeks off in late May for my wedding (it's overseas, hence travel time itself takes 3 days round trip). My supervisor felt hesitant about it and didn't approve it, and only allowed me to take 5 days (M-F). The reason is vague and pretty much just separation anxiety because I am the only longest person in this department so I pretty much know everything. However, I've proven myself during my last 2-weeks off that no emergency happened and I checked my email as often as possible to make sure that everything went smoothly (even though I wasn't paid to do work and it's my vacation). A colleague of mine mentioned that if my supervisor can't approve my request even when I have enough PTO hours and notify the supervisor at least 1 month before, I can sue the company. Unfortunately, she forgot where she read it. I'm not going to sue my supervisor/ company, however I'd like to know the fact if PTO is my rights - same thing as pay checks. I don't understand why my supervisor can't let me go because no one will take vacation that month, except myself and we won't have any conferences, etc. that need special attention. What can I do to negotiate with my supervisor? The only options I can think that can convince my supervisor to let me go is showing a proof that I have the rights to use my PTO hours (by law) or resign...

• Answer:

  PTO can be redeemed provided the company is able to be adequately staffed. You can't sue the company if 80% of the employees ask for PTO at the same time, for example, because it couldn't be possible to grant everyone that. You have a right to use your PTO, but only in the confines of it being approved. 5 days approved out of 7 is not sue-worthy.