[-]

Practical-Alarm1763@reddit

What is the urgent pending task?

We'll be the judge of this...

[-]

Ok_Procedure_3604@reddit

If that’s serious, I cannot fathom how that is urgent.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

So he isn't a chill guy.

In fact, this whole "your PTO is denied" is such an insane idea.

PTO's can logically be denied when the employee is abusing their time off, or otherwise there is a CRITICAL project or an emergency, however in that case most employees won't even ask for one since they, being reasonable people would understand that it really isn't the time. Otherwise, especially in IT, there is ALWAYS something going on, there are always tickets, and mini projects.

Tell your boss you are taking it, and that's the end of it.

Nothing is more important than your health.

[-]

Canecraze@reddit

As an IT Director, I think this is bad advice. I would negotiate a plan with the boss so that you can get the tasks done before taking PTO.

[-]

eri-@reddit

Do you?

A simple question. One which I think I know the answer to.

[-]

Canecraze@reddit

Do I what?

[-]

eri-@reddit

Practice what you preach

[-]

Canecraze@reddit

Yes. I communicate with my Boss and my direct reports communicate with me so that we can manage priorities and plan accordingly. My boss, me and my direct reports have been working with the company for almost 30 years each, so I would bday this approach works.

Emergencies aside, PTO should never (or very rarely) conflict with meeting deadlines or negatively impact projects.

[-]

eri-@reddit

You're forgetting one thing.

Its really, really, easy for you and your boss to schedule projects when it suits you best.

[-]

BananaSacks@reddit

You do realize that's how businesses work, right? A business operates to make money, not to be an adult daycare.

[-]

eri-@reddit

And you couldn't be any better at missing the point I was making here if you tried.

My comment was about him, nothing more nothing less.

[-]

BananaSacks@reddit

Ahhh, yeap, you're right. I shouldn't read reddit while still waking up and in bed.

I'll go stand in the corner now.

[-]

Canecraze@reddit

I guess you missed the part about planning with my direct reports??? It works for all of us. We are a team. I am with them in the trenches every day.

[-]

llDemonll@reddit

You sound like OPs boss. If any of my direct reports ask for PTO I’ve never once had any inclination of denying it. People typically make plans before their PTO request. The request is a formality of saying “I won’t be here”, not “can I have this time off”.

If boss can’t figure out how to get stuff done without OP they need additional head count. That’s not OPs problem.

[-]

Canecraze@reddit

All I'm saying is that OP can meet his boss in the middle and work out a plan to get the task done to a point where he can take PTO.

The task that is pending is something that can be automated and executed over night. The needs of the company come before PTO. In my company, PTO is not guaranteed, so I understand where his boss is coming from.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

The needs of the company come before PTO. In my company, PTO is not guaranteed

If you work for Nazi Germany, sure does. May I ask what country you are in? Because holy shit that's a scary mindset where the needs of the company come before the needs and the rights of the employees.

Allowing such a mindset is why we are having this conversation. If you allowed your country and state to become one of those places (I am talking about the democratic world) where the company needs are above your rights, then you have elected the wrong people. If you work for such a place, and that culture is dear to you, then you are part of the problem.

Did you read at all, or you just come in with Foxconn/Amazon level corporate talking points? I am really not trying to be hostile here, but Jesus Christ. The OP talked to the boss, and the boss gave an abysmal reason why the OP, who is tired, and has a legal right to a PTO can't take one?

What middle? Subject A is tired and has a right for a time off. Subject B says no, your physical well being is less important than a mundane task. What's the middle? Either the subject A gets what he legally/humanely deserves or he doesn't. There is no middle. There should be no middle unless it's some emergency, which it isn't.

[-]

Right_Pack4693@reddit

almost everywhere you work, Ops always comes first, unless you're very confident you have the skills and connections to find a new job

in almost every industry except for entrepreneurs who run their own ship too

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

I am very sorry, and again, don't want to be rude, but what an absolute illogical statement.

First of all, having it not having skills, has no bearing on the importance of operations of a given organization. Doctor's skill level doesn't make the patient's life less or more important.

Second, obviously the organization's functionality is important, that's the whole point why the employees are there. However we have rules and regulations, and are also human beings, and we collectively as a society, have put a higher value on human health and rights, above everything else. Hence, because of laws and regulations, we have come up with a system where the ops can run while employees don't get hurt. That is the general idea, at least, as much as may organizations would like to do away with that, because slaves cost less than humans with rights.

As noted above and below by many others, the only legit time off denials can come when they are being abused, are malicious (to cause disruptions), or illogical (asking for a non medical emergency time off during a pre-planned major live event). Anything else, employee's rights take precedent. If you don't see it that way, or have been conditioned otherwise, I am very sorry, and you should rethink your world view. If you think that corporation's operations are above employee's rights, you are part of the problem.

[-]

Right_Pack4693@reddit

I don't think or believe so, to me it's just the rules of the game, and I'm not rich nor talented enough to leave.

its just this entire half of the world where it is so. and unless you're wealthy enough to leave, its just reality

especially when your replacement is almost a third cheaper just across the border because your country is the richest in South East Asia,

and in the public sector (government), its enforced. So if your office needs a minimum of 5 people on the floor, and you're the 5th guy, that leave is definitely gonna get denied unless its been booked in advance so that you're not next in line to get recalled back to office.

its just reality and its not going away even if you swing the votes to the opposition, cos they do the same things

[-]

BananaSacks@reddit

So if you have 10 employees and all 10 want next week, or tomorrow off, for their "wellbeing" you're saying the company just takes a day off and closes its doors? No, sorry, that's not how any of this works.

I've been reading this thread up till this comment and for all we know, OP took off all of last month, was sick for Q1 & Q2, and has had his "task" pending for the past 6 months.

Maybe there is a 2million in Capex project rolling out, that's now delayed for X days/weeks, no longer tracking to plan, sitting in amber because of Ops "simple task" (as so many put it) has been giving a knock-on impact.

Maybe the boss is trying to make a point .. again, for all we know, maybe OP isn't cut out for this gig.

Those are just blanket statements and devil's advocate - but then again - every comment above is a blanket statement without any fact basis or other.

/0.02

[-]

xxsanchit0xx@reddit

Question, what are you going to do if all 10 quit?

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

He is just coming up with fantasy scenarios to be a contrarian.

[-]

BananaSacks@reddit

How is any of that fantasy? It's closer to speculation than it is to everyone else, giving OP feel-good points and justification as if he works for Satan himself and is showing up to a sweatshop every day at 0400 and working 16-hour shifts.

And if you want to talk about what is "legally owed" - that's called sick leave, not PTO in this case. OP can have their PTO, just not on the day they asked for it.

If OP needs time off for their 'mental wellbeing & work induced stress' - then OP needs to go and speak to someone who either will, or will not, sign off on the legitimacy of the claim.

In fact, OP seems pretty new to the workforce, at least in their comment about getting advice to take PTO to undo some of the potential burnout feelings. Everyone here with their "stick it to the man" "you're entitled to X" "yeah, fuck those guys, your boss is an asshole" -- you all are setting up OP to have a pretty twisted view of the world and many hardships down the road.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

It's fantasy because you are coming up with a scenario that doesn't happen, because you are basically describing a department wide strike. You are changing the whole scenario being discussed, you are ignoring what people are stating, you also don't understand basic employee rights. The OP isn't on trial where he needs to get a medical examination to get out of a prison sentence. If you think this way you have some deep issues, and need to reevaluate your values and your world view.

I am not trying to be mean, it's hard to keep a friendly tone through text, I am in fact a bit concerned and sad for you, that you think that is how a work place should run. I know that many places run it that way, and unfortunately get away with it, and they create "damaged" managers, with sociopathic world views.

OP has PTO rights, that's it. He could be using it to go and scratch his balls. Unless he is being unreasonable and taking it to go and scratch his balls during a major project, which he isn't, he doesn't need to justify anything. It's not about sticking it to the man, it's about everyone knowing their rights.

If the OP posted about how shitty his employer is and asked if it is ok to cause malicious harm, I would tell him "no" because that's not right. There are rights and wrongs. Denying someone a PTO because they need to rename computers, is like Drill Sergeant punishing a recruit by making them sweep the street when it's raining.

Again, I really hope you are a younger person, and would think about what was said here. Because if you keep thinking the way you are, you are looking at being used and abused during your career. If you are not a young person, but a the real version of the Bill the Manager guy from the movie Office Space, then you need to be in therapy and see how you can find yourself back in humanity. Because thinking that an employee needs to be a shrink's approval to take a PTO, is just insane. That is some CCP/Foxconn level shit.

[-]

BananaSacks@reddit

Go read the FMLA lad. That'll tell you what your rights are in Florida.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

Contracts can't go against laws and regulations, lad.

If they are, because I am sure plenty of companies would try and do that, there are government agencies, that an employee can go to. If things get really bad, there are lawyers. There is a reason why employment lawyers make a good living. Because work place abuse of all kinds happens every day.

[-]

BananaSacks@reddit

And at what point did ANYTHING in this thread go against labor law? Please, please go find a section of labor law, or FMLA that is being broken by OPs boss saying "no, you cannot take PTO on that day" ffs & grow up.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

By unreasonable denial of PTO, it could be a violation of employee rights.

Grow up, and go get help.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

You already started with an asinine and unrealistic example, a terrible strawman argument, that no one here or anywhere else has argued for. You are also adding extra "what if" scenarios, not present in OP's post, and not even argued by the people who are on OP's side.

If you can't argue based on the given facts and realities, without creating outlandish scenarios and strawman, you don't have to say anything.

"Oh yeah, what if the company is about to explode because there is a bomb on a timer, and the OP is the only person who can disarm it, but he wants to take PTO", I mean Jesus Christ. We have givens, argue based on that.

[-]

bartoque@reddit

You know even though you are defintely right and I fully concur, I doubt if anyone that takes the company's side will sway by any argument? It will only harden (are you commies or what?), with examples only becoming more and more extreme why and when it would/should not be allowed?

The thing is also we already are above and beyond OP's question as that seems to simply not worth any reason to deny? Common, it's bloody renaming pc's... that seems someone micromanaging but not able to see actual importance or need? For whom saying no is always the easy way out?

I work in a billion dollar company and cannot recall - ever - having been denied PTO, even though formally the company states there is a possibility. But the burden of proof/reasoning lies with management, having to explain why? In my opinion being understaffed to begin with, not being able to miss one person, is an issue on the company end, not on the employee.

Even though being ar a large company, it still is a smallish team, so even if there is an overlap of PTO of both me and my colleagues, than that is taken for granted by management, so certain projects will have to simply wait. If those are deemed beyond importance, then additional resources should have been arranged to be able to continue. That is what proper planning is for. If the available resources would have become overworked and became actually ill, then the company also would have to see how to cope with that?

It is way too easy to simply deny PTO when this would otherwise result in a management issue of being temporary understaffed, not that of the individual employee? Managing also means coming up for your employees, not having everyone bend over backwards all the time to keep things going? And sometimes this might have an operational impact, but again that is mainly due to mismanagement, not due to anything an individual employee does or wants.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

I doubt if anyone that takes the company's side will sway by any argument? It will only harden (are you commies or what?)

This is why it is important, IMHO, to have these conversations. A lot of young folks are brought up in those toxic environments and they think that is how the world should work. So it can give some a fresh way to look at things. Of course I agree, if the person fully into this mindset, and especially if they are older and in leadership, and this has become their MO, then yeah, as they say "boomer" mentality.

[-]

erock279@reddit

The company isn’t a person, and OP is. The company will always have needs, the need to make money never stops. The computers can be renamed when OP doesn’t feel too burnt out to do it.

[-]

Canecraze@reddit

Renaming PCs is a menial task that can be automated. OP should just figure out how to get it done. This is not rocket science.

[-]

0MG1MBACK@reddit

So why can’t he just take the PTO then if it’s not rocket science? OP can’t just hand it off to the next man and they can figure it out since it’s not rocket science? I can’t stand dense middle management. You guys make everything absolutely miserable for everyone below you

[-]

Canecraze@reddit

Renaming PCs is not rocket science. It's literally a reboot. Why cant this get done on time?

We don't know the details, but if there is/was a deadline and OP missed it. We don't know if OP is serial PTO time abuser.

All I'm saying is... Rename the darn PCs and stop bitching.

[-]

0MG1MBACK@reddit

We also don’t know why OP is taking PTO. For all we know, there was a family emergency and they needed it last minute. Would you honestly harp on someone about a task if it isn’t even that important?

I get that there’s deadlines, but if work isn’t being done bc one person is taking time off/being lazy, that’s a management issue. We can make straw man arguments all we want, but at the end of the day, the ppl you hire and employ to do these menial tasks deserve time off. They worked for it, accrued it, and they can use it.

Harping on and on about how easy a task is just sounds like some petty shit an IT Director would focus on lmao

[-]

erock279@reddit

God forbid OP’s boss does anything aside from deny PTO

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spetcnaz@reddit

The request is a formality of saying “I won’t be here”, not “can I have this time off”.

Exactly 💯

[-]

BananaSacks@reddit

I seriously wouldn't feel too confident about keeping this mindset. Read your employee handbook, that'll tell you what /your/ ground rules are.

Even in Europe, where employees have much better employee protections and PTO schemes, your chosen time/day off is not a guarantee. You're guaranteed your time, but every employee doesn't get to walk around and dictate how the company runs. If I have 10 employees and they all last minute ask to have tomorrow off, guess what won't be happening?

[-]

Paddington84@reddit

Yeah, that's why we (EU) have a framework of when the PTO is to be taken and what remuneration is required if the PTO for that time frame is denied. That way you can span your 10 people over the period or take the financial hit if you are unable.

If you don't assign PTO and the 10 people come in the last day/week/month, then it's your failure as a manager.

[-]

BananaSacks@reddit

100%

[-]

Reynolds1029@reddit

That's the thing.

If it's last minute I get it, whoever put in last drew the shortest straw but if it's 1-3 months in advance, and you're one of only 1 or 2 taking off it's a "I'm taking X days off" and it's your job to ready the troops for that.

And if it's a lot people requesting to take off at once in advance, then it's a team meeting to see who actually needs to take off that week i.e. has bought a trip to somewhere and can't reschedule.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

You are creating a strawman, and ignoring the logical explanations of when PTO denial is acceptable, given by the posters. No one here said it would be logical or acceptable to let the whole IT department go into a PTO. That is an absolute asinine scenario that you just cooked up, just to have an opposing view. That's like saying, "having universal healthcare is important" and your rebuttal is "well what if my family wanta to have heart surgeries every week". That's the quality of your argument, I don't want to be rude, but it's such an atrocious rebuttal attempt. Not only did you not read what people said, you also concocted the worst example to try and prove the opposite point.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

IT manager myself.

Sorry, did you read what I wrote, not being a dick, genuinely asking.

I stated exactly in which scenarios would the denial of PTO be justified. Otherwise if an employee/ my teammate is tired, or heck, just needs a PTO for whatever non malicious reason, something a non slave, and indentured servant, or a surf, has a right to in a modern, democratic society, who the heck am I to deny it.

I am a manager so I can manage. If the company doesn't want to hire more help, that's on the company and they should suffer the consequences of their actions. Most orgs will be busy with daily tickets, maintenance tasks, and mini daily projects, that's the field we have chosen. We can't make people suffer, just because the company made a bad choice.

Renaming PCs is not an urgent task, and it definitely isn't as or more important than my colleague's well being and legal rights.

[-]

Boolog@reddit

Where are you a manager at? Sounds like a place with good work atmosphere

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

Sorry I don't like disclosing my location.

However, I would say that yes, my team, and I have a manager myself, is great. I try to instill that mindset and culture with all our new hires, so the tradition continues even when I am gone.

[-]

Boolog@reddit

That's good. I hope this continues after you depart a company.

By the way, about a minute of OSing got me where you are (at least in which country). May want to look into the privacy part if you don't want to dosclose locations

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

Not always there hahaha

[-]

TheDisapprovingBrit@reddit

I agree with you totally. On the other hand, I'm guessing OP is in the US, where employment rights are barely more than slavery with a salary. Taking time off without approval would not have the convalescent effect OP is looking for if they have to spend it looking for another job.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

Thank You

Taking time off without approval would not have the convalescent effect OP is looking for if they have to spend it looking for another job.

It's not so cut and dry, thankfully.

While I agree that the US is far behind other first world countries when it comes to social safety nets and worker rights (as you can see it's ingrained in the heads of so many Americans that they are worth less than the company's operations), however there are laws and regulations on PTOs and on being fired. Of course companies, especially in Republican controlled states lobby the hell out of their legislatures to make work more like surfdom, alas and thankfully they aren't fully successful.

Plus firing a current employee (especially a productive one) is a costly affair. They have to spend money and time to find and hire and train someone new. So if the manager is just being a dick with an ego trip, if confronted properly, they will put that aside (usually), and grant the employee the PTO.

[-]

Reapercore@reddit

You’d be getting my notice instead of an annual leave request if you put something like renaming computers over my mental health.

[-]

Canecraze@reddit

Bye Felicia

[-]

Reapercore@reddit

Hello employment tribunal.

[-]

Admirable-Radio-2416@reddit

Could you tell us where you are in IT Director so we know to not come work where you work

[-]

Canecraze@reddit

Don't worry, I wouldn't hire you. My team is high performing and gets the job done. We get plenty of PTO and mental health breaks. But when we are in the middle of a project, we makes sacrifices when necessary.

[-]

Le_Vagabond@reddit

Found OP's shitty boss.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

The guy just stated that the company's needs come before the PTO. Says all I needed to know. It's like CCP but instead of the party it's the corporation.

[-]

IngrownBurritoo@reddit

Then I would have left your company as soon as possible with this mentality

[-]

bensode@reddit

You are correct. Health is important above most other things. Another important thing is to ask yourself this question: “Do you know who will remember all the extra hours and overtime you worked?” The answer in most cases will be YOUR FAMILY.

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spetcnaz@reddit

Absolutely

[-]

Waste_Monk@reddit

In what universe is that urgent? Your boss is an asshole.

But if it helps you (and assuming they're already domain joined and so on), you could get this done very quickly with powershell (list of old and new computer names in a csv, import it with import-csv, then iterate over each row and use the rename-computer commandlet).

[-]

korobo_fine@reddit (OP)

there’s a script for that but it’s been so slow and ineffective

[-]

AdmiralCA@reddit

Alright. Post the GitHub or pastebin link and let Reddit fix it up for you.

[-]

agk23@reddit

Spoiler alert, OP probably is not good at his job, which is why his boss doesn’t like him.

[-]

BananaSacks@reddit

And yet in another post, OP claims their "tech stack" includes DHCP, Dell Servers, Windows, Linux, Folder Redirects, SCCM, and some other bits.

Funny they also mention being a 2 person team and yet wanting to tell their boss that they are going to refuse to ever work a project that includes SCCM and it should be given to "someone else."

[-]

DeadStockWalking@reddit

His post history is crazy. In one thread he claimed 86k was less than a quarter of his gross salary (so 344k or higher) and yet he can't figure out how to mass rename computers.

[-]

BananaSacks@reddit

In another post, OP is selling an iPhone for 26k. So either truly delulu or definitely living somewhere other than $ or €.

[-]

linawannabee@reddit

Could be talking Shillings

[-]

hihcadore@reddit

I like how he’s an SRE but can’t figure out how to fix a script that renames computers lmao.

[-]

CARLEtheCamry@reddit

and describes the problem as "it's slow"

[-]

Library_IT_guy@reddit

21 certs... can't figure out how to rename PCs...

Takes a shit on sysadmins in another post... comes crying to sysadmin subreddit...

Wants 3 weeks PTO with only 1 week notice...

KIND of is putting it far too kindly.

[-]

Nice_Beat7500@reddit

Certs just mean you memorized the test knowledge. Then you forget it unless you use it. This is why practical experience, not college or certs, is the way when hiring or assessing talent.

[-]

ickarous@reddit

Unfortunately I just inherited a director that thinks the exact opposite and is forcing me to get a bunch of certs for shit I've been doing my whole career.

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Nice_Beat7500@reddit

That sounds fucking horrible. I would ask him if he has the same certs and knowledge 😄 🤣 but I am also fearless because I'm in IT so jobs are easy to find.

[-]

agk23@reddit

He’s got his A+ all the way through F-

[-]

Maverick0@reddit

Sysadmins: Because devs need heroes too.

[-]

Practical-Cellist766@reddit

Well, driving OP into a burnout certainly won't improve performance. So boss is not good at his job either.

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agk23@reddit

I don’t know what working is like in Kenya, but he gave 1 week notice to take 3 weeks off while on a small team. That’s hard to plan around if he’s so busy he’s burned out. My job requires 30 days, which I never thought was unreasonable. He’s also studying for his masters, which the employer may not like if that’s why he’s burned out.

Like if he really just needs to rename computers, he can be done by the weekend.

[-]

pointandclickit@reddit

I don't know either, but it sounds like I should move to Kenya. Knock it out in a couple hours a week and take some naps. You'll still look like a rock star.

[-]

phony_sys_admin@reddit

21 certifications

If that isn't a Cert Collector I don't know what is...

[-]

JoshMS@reddit

Oof 100% this dude has soft skill issues. There's also no way we're getting the full story here

[-]

VitualShaolin@reddit

Love this

[-]

TechTheTerrible@reddit

Love to see Reddit admin bros helping another admin bro. GET THIS MAN SOME PTO!!!!!

[-]

CrestronwithTechron@reddit

“Normally, if given the choice between doing something and nothing, I’d choose to do nothing. But I will do something if it helps someone else do nothing. I’d work all night, if it meant nothing got done.” — Ron Swanson

[-]

BCIT_Richard@reddit

PTSD is more like it.

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billndotnet@reddit

Seriously, this is the best thing I've read all day.

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0emanresu@reddit

You're using the wrong script then, I just to rename PCs and move them to a child domain 60 at a time in 15 minutes. All while they're on a 100mb network

[-]

Frothyleet@reddit

In MY day, I would rename PCs, defrag them, install the entire Adobe suite, move them to another FOREST, in batches of 100, and it only took 8 minutes! And that was uphill both ways on 10mbit coax!

[-]

Tekz08@reddit

install the entire Adobe suite ... only took 8 minutes

lies, I tell you

[-]

CrestronwithTechron@reddit

The Adobe suite only had like 3-4 programs back then and still came on disks 😂

[-]

Happy_Kale888@reddit

Mr. fancy pants pants with his 10Meg coax cries in coax....

[-]

idrinkmorewaterthanu@reddit

Defragging! 😁 lol a blast from the past!

[-]

Jawshee_pdx@reddit

Post the script, I'm curious. Please.

[-]

0emanresu@reddit

I used to remove all the machines via a txt file & Remove-Computer on my machine & then deployed a script to the PCs being renamed via PDQ deploy.

$credential = New-Object pscredential -ArgumentList ([pscustomobject]@{

UserName = "USERNAME"

Password = (ConvertTo-SecureString -String 'PASSWORD' -AsPlainText -Force)[0]

})

Rename-Computer -NewName $NEWPCNAME -DomainCredential $credential

add-computer -domainname DOMAIN.DOMAIN -credential $credential -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue > $null

[-]

not-hardly@reddit

I commented above a similar process. It's been years. But iterating through a list of hostnames with invoke-command is really powerful. I'm not a developer and didn't know anything about how to multithread it. And didn't want to do it in PDQ to have more control over the process.

[-]

coukou76@reddit

It's not possible that such a script is slow, it should be done in minutes right? I can help, PowerShell forum can help genuine beginners too

[-]

not-hardly@reddit

I used invoke-command to pop a message with a timer up on user's computer to tell them when they click Okay their computers going to reboot, and performed a name change, while iterating through a list of hostnames.

The timer forced reading the message. Let them save work, etc. This doesn't help with the boss. But it might help with the renaming.

[-]

PrincipleExciting457@reddit

Can’t you just script that and get it done in a day?

[-]

korobo_fine@reddit (OP)

i have a script but it doesn’t work as intended, took like a whole month but still doesn’t get the job done

[-]

PrincipleExciting457@reddit

You could make one that could run in like an hour. Something definitely doesnt feel right. Depending on the naming schemes this should be super easy, but even the not easy way should only take a few hours at the worst.

[-]

korobo_fine@reddit (OP)

thank you

[-]

PrincipleExciting457@reddit

ChatGPT could be helpful if you’re not savvy with powershell. Honestly, I’d try to try get a list of current names, make the names you want them to be. Pull each computer from the current list, grab the corresponding name in the new list and run them through a rename-computer command.

Use like a do while loop. For the lists, make a variable that grabs list item zero and then iterate it with a ++ so the next PCs are grabbed on the next loop. DO that WHILE the rename variable is less than the list items.

Might not make sense, but with some study you can knock ot out of the park.

[-]

BananaSacks@reddit

^this. ChatGPT is a great /starting/ point.

[-]

Away_Week576@reddit

Everyone is dragging you OP, but I have had a boss exactly like this, who denied my PTO for being behind on a very similar task

[-]

ElTortugo@reddit

With the boss I assume? Them PC have not been baptized yet!

[-]

TechFiend72@reddit

That is not an urgent task unless you have an automation project sitting in the wings that requires it. It is important, but not urgent.

Do you work internal IT or do you work at an MSP?

[-]

korobo_fine@reddit (OP)

internal IT

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TechFiend72@reddit

so what is the rush? It is not normal to deny people PTO.

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spetcnaz@reddit

Unfortunately it is.

Plenty of power tripping or just shitty managers and bosses.

[-]

Admirable-Radio-2416@reddit

Usually combination of both, shitty manager/boss who is on heavy power tripping thinking worker's wont just quit as they always think "There is no other job willing to hire them so I can treat them however I want" and then act surprised when the employee just quits regardless if they have another job lined up or not.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

Yuppp

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intense_username@reddit

I don’t understand this mentality. Never have. It just doesn’t compute with me.

When things aren’t on fire, I’m as lax as I can be with requests. It’s been so damn long since I denied a request.

And guess what? When things were on fire a few months ago, everyone voluntarily adjusted personal plans and opted to work OT for the collective benefit of the dept.

It’s almost like being flexible during the year will pull people together when it matters most.

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

Exactly

Most people, especially educated professionals, are reasonable and approach their tasks with some level of respect. I know there are bad co-workers, however most in the team work things out.

I have never denied someone's time off, because we discuss things beforehand. Just to make sure not too many people are out.

[-]

CyberMonkey1976@reddit

And honestly, if the automation project requires a pc to have a static hostname...Holy Jesus I'd like a word with the dev team.

I smell dumpster fire 🔥

[-]

TechFiend72@reddit

agree but taking that into account....

[-]

CyberMonkey1976@reddit

Nope, you're right...neither here nor there. (Fades into the shadows)

[-]

ninjababe23@reddit

Tell your boss to go fuck themself

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Perfect_Designer4885@reddit

I nearly fucking choked on my morning coffee, I definitely would have said something, that would result in disciplinary action up to including being fired.

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en-rob-deraj@reddit

Are they Azure joined? Just do it in Intune, heh.

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Radiowarsaw@reddit

In no world has that ever been urgent, your boss is a pos on a power trip. I would find a new job.

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smonty@reddit

Sounds like your grandparent just passed away and it's time to look into the bereavement policy

[-]

yummers511@reddit

Most will require proof such as an obituary etc

[-]

iceph03nix@reddit

And what part of the company burns down if this takes a few days longer?

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Hackwork89@reddit

Your boss is a gigantic fucking moron.

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chazzzer@reddit

And something tells me that once that's done there will be another "urgent" task to do.

[-]

WeakCoffeeEnjoyer@reddit

Lol

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captkrahs@reddit

Lmfao

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NotYourOrac1e@reddit

Seriously..... I was like "he's trolling" but yea, OP boss is a nightmare.

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elpollodiablox@reddit

Oh, well in that case you'd better put in 12 hour days for the next few weeks. That sounds critical.

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jedipiper@reddit

And what is the supposed business need of this urgent request??

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jason_abacabb@reddit

It is easy to work in a week or two off between jobs. Start stacking some cash in the savings account and get looking.

That is not an emergency.

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kFURVqNY2BAxD2UtP2rq@reddit

Will not having these PCs renamed result in downtime for the users? Is there a project that will be impacted if they aren’t renamed by a certain date?

I suspect the answer is “No” to both. But even if the answer is somehow “Yes,” I would recommend pushing back. If you’ve earned the time it has to be taken sometime and there’s always work to be done.

[-]

Practical-Alarm1763@reddit

Lol, wtf. I can't even respond to your answer. 🤣🤣🤣

[-]

korobo_fine@reddit (OP)

😂

[-]

Solkre@reddit

🤦‍♂️

[-]

BoltActionRifleman@reddit

It’s likely OP’s urgent fast is doing more of the needful.

[-]

Practical-Alarm1763@reddit

It's also possible OP misunderstood bossman.

He may have said "Needful Done Kindly"

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Bogus1989@reddit

This is why I take PTO. I dont ask.

[-]

Outrageous_Plant_526@reddit

Just use PowerShell or your favorite scripting language and remotely rename the systems. You will be done in less than a day and maybe less than a few hours.

[-]

korobo_fine@reddit (OP)

we have like 7000 pcs

[-]

Outrageous_Plant_526@reddit

We have about 18k and had to do a rename. We still have a few outliers but it was all done through scripting.

[-]

korobo_fine@reddit (OP)

do you have a working script? kindly share

[-]

Outrageous_Plant_526@reddit

Here is a PowerShell script from ChatGPT uou can try on a few machines first and then the rest in batches.

Import the Active Directory module

Import-Module ActiveDirectory

Import the CSV file

$computers = Import-Csv "C:\path\to\your\computers.csv"

Loop through each computer

foreach ($computer in $computers) { # Get the current AD computer object $adComputer = Get-ADComputer -Identity $computer.OldName -ErrorAction Stop

# Rename the computer account in AD
Rename-ADObject -Identity $adComputer.DistinguishedName -NewName $computer.NewName

# Optionally update the computer's DNS record if necessary
# Update-DnsServerResourceRecordA -Name $computer.NewName -ZoneName "yourdomain.com" -IPv4Address $adComputer.IPAddress

Write-Output "Renamed $($computer.OldName) to $($computer.NewName)"

}

The pc file should look like this

OldName,NewName PC001,NewPC001 PC002,NewPC002 ...

[-]

Outrageous_Plant_526@reddit

I am with the government but can see if the one the team used can be edited or if it was too specific.

[-]

Astro721@reddit

Honestly reading everyone else's responses here makes me even more appreciative of my current employer and supervisors. Here once you earn your PTO it is yours to take whenever needed. Never heard any flack or had a request denied. If I was you OP this denial would for sure be the final nail in the coffin and I would be applying for every reasonable job around to get out of this situation.

[-]

Brufar_308@reddit

Had a new boss that told Me, my vacation was cancelled. I told her I was prepaid and already booked for my vacation that year. She said I would have to cancel. I agreed and turned in my 2 weeks notice.

It helped I had a gig lined up I had been considering, and she just made the decision a lot easier. That was back when jobs were easier to find.

[-]

YouveRoonedTheActGOB@reddit

I had this happen at a job and agreed that I’d cancel my vacation if the company agreed to pay my non refundable plane tickets, hotel accommodations, and rental car deposit. Guess who suddenly got it cleared to take time off?

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Weak_Wealth5399@reddit

I'm not sure how works elsewhere but here in Europe the employer is required to cover expenses, like all expenses, if they require you to cancel your vacation when things are already approved ahead of time.

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YouveRoonedTheActGOB@reddit

America. At will employment.

[-]

Weak_Wealth5399@reddit

It's rough but bros be make 2x-3x European pay. 😅

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Wolfram_And_Hart@reddit

And work 3x-4x as hard.

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feday@reddit

Except they don’t, there is no way you can be productive 12+ hours a day. I’d say max six hours a day, the rest is just wasted on random shit

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Wolfram_And_Hart@reddit

Eh it’s roughly 80% work for most office people after the coffee clutch and so on. It’s why I argue 10 hour days are the way to go

[-]

dracotrapnet@reddit

With 1/8th as many paid holidays.

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vawlk@reddit

speak for yourself. I left the corporate world 20 years ago and went in to Education IT.

I get all the days plus 33 PTO each year.

[-]

Hyperbolic_Mess@reddit

The land of the free (to be poor, sick and unemployed without any rights or protections)

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pointandclickit@reddit

I'm not sure which is the bigger influence, that I've always (fortunately) had good bosses, or that I've run out of fucks to give. At this point I'm not asking, I'm just giving you a heads up that I'm going to be gone. Obviously I don't abuse it, but if I'm taking off it's for a reason.

It took me a long time to realize that they need you as much as you need them. Can they can me? Sure. Do they want to have to go through that process and find a replacement? I'm still finding that line.

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Stonewalled9999@reddit

From what I understand this is illegal in most US states. I have a Canadian idiot manager that tried to tell me "I know you paid and booked 3 weeks in Korea with your dad but we need you here"

HR said to boss "are you willing to pay the $6000 for that change in plans?...also you cannot simply tell Stone that you denied his pre-approved vacation"

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Man-e-questions@reddit

You sound like you got covid.

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COMplex_@reddit

Pretty sure that’s not a valid excuse anymore lol

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SquizzOC@reddit

From all my medical experience watching Scrubs, in my professional opinion, they’ve definitely got an ailment that will require bed rest for at least a few days.

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Papfox@reddit

"I'm sorry but I'm suffering from a terrible pain in the ass"

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pointandclickit@reddit

What a coincidence. I just came down with anal glaucoma.

[-]

Papfox@reddit

"Boss, there's a lot of rectocranial insertion going round. You should get yourself checked out for it"

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snowtol@reddit

I had a medical thing in that region that required surgery and I can assure you I used lines like that at any time I could.

[-]

bobbybignono@reddit

big dicks up yo' ass is bad for ya health

Ice Cube

[-]

Maximum_Bandicoot_94@reddit

Everything comes down to poo!

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Papfox@reddit

Orange juice. During Covid, school kids here worked out that adding a drop of citrus to their Covid test liquid or drinking it immediately before testing produced a false positive test. Many days off school were obtained that way

[-]

snowtol@reddit

Question, do your jobs require you to produce proof of sickness? I've had jobs that require a doctor's note but never one that required your active diagnosis, because, ya know, laws about medical stuff.

I've had COVID twice and both times I did tell them I had it so others I got in contact with could check and quarantine, but that was my choice, not policy, and I sure as hell didn't have to produce a positive test for my manager.

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Papfox@reddit

We have a threshold of the length of the absence. More than a few days requires a doctor's note. If I send in a photo of a positive Covid test, my boss will let that slide because he knows it's irresponsible to go into the doctor's office and give everyone Covid

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JustInflation1@reddit

Just go, he will fire you for no reason either way. Don’t miss life.

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Next_Information_933@reddit

How much notice did you give for your pto request? 2 days? Not reasonable sometimes. 1+week? Should be fine for a day. 2+weeks should be fine for as much as you need.

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korobo_fine@reddit (OP)

1 week. It seems reasonable.

[-]

Lylieth@reddit

I have always heard others state a minimum of 2 weeks notice is required for PTO requests. Many of the companies i have worked in even outline this in the employee handbook and\or guidelines.

1 week is too short IMO.

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Next_Information_933@reddit

Yeah, some places can be dicks about a minimum 14 day policy, but in my experience IT usually isn't privy to that unless you're like L1 and working a support role where that would leave a big gap.

When I was a wee little helpdesk back in the day I didn't even really experience that though.. The rest of the team just covered as needed.

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trail-g62Bim@reddit

Once had a director that told us we should be able to provide 6 month notice of vacations...wtf. I told my manager that this policy is how you get people calling in sick.

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i8noodles@reddit

nah that isnt resonable. 1 week is not really resonable when rosters for most places comes out 2 weeks or a month in advance. my general rule is, advance notice is prior to the next roster being released. if it is already out then be prepared to be declined.

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yrogerg123@reddit

1 week is not reasonable. 1 month or more is always reasonable in this industry. Less than that depends on boss and culture.

Just ask him when is the soonest you would be able to take it.

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stufforstuff@reddit

How many PC's, when were you first tasked with renaming them? Why has it taken so long? Seems like many here is jumping on OP's side without hearing both sides of the story.

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KnowledgeTransfer23@reddit

Those are good questions for OP's manager to be asking.

But those don't have any bearing on when OP can take the time off they've earned.

And if performance issues are present, the solution isn't to deny an employee their benefits. It is to train the employee or fire them.

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sir_mrej@reddit

Nah 1 week isnt long enough sadly

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bitches_be@reddit

Hope he never gets hit by a bus then

[-]

griminald@reddit

1 week is a bit too short notice.

Your boss can argue that you need to finish already-assigned work, especially if the coworkers covering your workload are swamped themselves.

It's typically at least 2 weeks notice you want to give. Then it's really on your boss to arrange coverage and manage expectations for that time you're out.

[-]

feedmescanlines@reddit

One week is fine and especially for the reason you're requesting it, you're not a firefighter in the middle of a fire.

[-]

DarraignTheSane@reddit

How big is your team, and how many days off did you request? That matters a great deal as to whether 1 week is sufficient amount of advance notice you should be giving for PTO.

If you're a team of 2 including your boss and you want to take a week off, no 1 week is not a reasonable amount of time in advance.

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thatohgi@reddit

At my place it’s minimum 2 weeks for PTO. Don’t make an issue of it. Discuss the burn out issues you’ve been having and make a plan to take up PTO. If that doesn’t produce any results, then go to HR get all of your PTO scheduled through them and start filling out job applications and working your network. Plan your new job starting after you get your PTO.

[-]

Stonewalled9999@reddit

most places I've worked if you want to schedule more that 2 days you have to give 1-2 weeks heads up. However I've also had good managers that said on a Friday "the next two weeks we have no projects if you want to take next week off I'll approve it"

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Opposite_Second_1053@reddit

You take that PTO he will probably find a way to fire you. At this point it seems like it's toxic. your poss really does seem like an a hole. That task is no where near important at all. Are you the only person in your department can the renaming be delegated to another colleague while your gone?

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YaManMAffers@reddit

Dude. Start looking for a new job and don’t give that POS any notice. That is a toxic environment.

[-]

rcp9ty@reddit

My boss denies my pto because he doesn't think it should be used for my appointments and says just come in late or leave early or just go do it and come back. PTO is for days off not doing work shit. Summary fuck your boss and quit let them deal with their bullshit.

[-]

gotmynamefromcaptcha@reddit

Hah and on the flip side we’re forced to use PTO for stuff like that. No sick time either so literally everything drains our PTO. Even salary folks like me, if I take sick time and STILL have over 40 hours worked for the week, I still get docked a PTO day.

So if that’s the case and I have a dentist appointment, I take the whole day off, screw it.

[-]

pointandclickit@reddit

Uhhh wtf? I hope you're getting paid for 48+ hours then.

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gotmynamefromcaptcha@reddit

Nope, 40 hours. My normal work week is like 50-55 hours.

We get shafted pretty bad here especially on the time off front. It’s easy to take my PTO but everything draining it makes you do things like working while sick which I had to do earlier this year so I don’t use too many PTO days.

[-]

Ssakaa@reddit

That right there is a beautiful 180. But, really, it's also a big piece of how salary/exempt ought to work.

[-]

rcp9ty@reddit

Salary exempt but... Here's the other part. Let's say I work late on a project he tells me to leave early or come in late that week as well.

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anscr@reddit

I don’t see what this post has to do with Sysadmin.

[-]

jwkd393@reddit

I've always viewed using my earned PTO as me informing them that I wasn't going to be available, not that I was asking for permission.

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pointandclickit@reddit

Haha I literally just posted the same thing above. It took me a long time to learn. I used to almost never use sick leave. At this point I've realized that it doesn't do any good if it's just numbers on a paystub. I'm not advocating for abusing it, but if I'm mentally not doing well and I'll be mostly useless at work anyway it's almost more dishonest to show up.

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accidentalciso@reddit

Exactly this. It’s a notification, not a request.

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Maximum_Bandicoot_94@reddit

100%

No one pays attention in Econ anymore but if they did they would realize they are selling their time to a company. They are free to not do that at any time. Companies in the US do not like to be reminded that "at will" cuts both ways.

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Normal-Difference230@reddit

Repeat after me - Work is never done! Also if you are 100% utilized and so are your coworkers, this is a recipe for disaster, that means there is no breathing room for if a person quits, how can you give three people 33% of someone elses job who just quit, if they are already 100% utilized.

Don't let them push you over. I let 2 different small MSPs tell me how irreplicable I was. I chained myself to a desk for almost 8 years and put on 90lbs in that time. What do I have to show for it now? Bad health, poor sleep, low energy. They want to run a skeleton crew, they can deal with the missed deadlines.

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rubixd@reddit

Your boss is a fucking psycho. Holy shit.

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Nice_Beat7500@reddit

Use sick leave get a note from a psychologist for burnout to take a mental health break.

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Boring-Night-7556@reddit

I swear this sub has to be made up people, like what world do these people and companies exist.

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Born-Adhesiveness576@reddit

Might be an unpopular opinion but: go to HR🤷🏾‍♂️.. In 2024, anything is relatively easy if you just say to them - hey, I’m stressed out and blah blah blah. Almost certain they don’t want a lawsuit on their hands.

In all seriousness- take your mental health seriously. Renaming PCs is not like you’re splitting the atom. Prioritize you FIRST. If they don’t abide - FUCK THEM! Put your resume out there.

I’m lucky to be working for a non-profit ran by mostly women. I’ve gotten 40 days off and I didn’t even use my PTO yet. No boasting or anything but just goes to show: you don’t have to put up with that toxic work environment my dude. #SOLIDARITY✊🏾

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Puzzleheaded-Rush336@reddit

Talk to hr. Say you need mental health.

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Admirable-Radio-2416@reddit

HR is not there to be your friend, they are there to be the boss's friend.

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Puzzleheaded-Rush336@reddit

HR is there to protect the company, not one person. If OP goes to doctor and gets a note for needing time off due to mental and HR will not allow boss to deny request.

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Admirable-Radio-2416@reddit

That has to do with avoiding legal battles with the employee, not HR actually caring about the employee.

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Chaucer85@reddit

Nobody is saying go to HR because they care, we're saying go to HR to use the process that exists. There are other levels to pull. Creating a paper trail is also important if you're getting taken advantage of at work.

I really get tired of people going "RAWK HR DOESNT CARE ABOUT YOU RAWK" like it's new information.

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Sigseg-v@reddit

If you're in Europe: he's not allowed to do that, threaten him with a lawyer or a union.

If you're in the US or some other 3. world country that never heard about employee rights (scnr): If he's a team lead: go to his boss. If he's the highest ranking and you have an HR department you trust: talk to HR. If both not possible: leave. Staying in a toxic environment is always worse than searching for a new job.

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RCTID1975@reddit

It's amazing you're recommending everything except actually just talking to their manager

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Sigseg-v@reddit

As you can read above he already talked tonight him why the PTO was canceled, so it‘s time for the next level.

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coldazures@reddit

Go to HR. Explain you are burnt out and the PTO was for your mental health. Explain your boss is obstructing you helping yourself. Unless of course you think you could have this open convo with the boss, but sounds like you don’t have that kind of relationship.

[-]

kerosene31@reddit

Sorry, but that's bad advice. HR works for them. They'll document all the employee's health problems and nothing else. If it ever does get to a court case, they'll have all this documentation on how the employee couldn't handle the job.

HR protects the company, not you.

[-]

coldazures@reddit

Are you from America? This may be a cultural clash..

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kerosene31@reddit

Absolutely. I'm assuming the OP is in America as well (they should specify, because it matters). What is normal in Europe is not over here. Workers have little rights against big companies. The company has a team of lawyers on retainer. You can sue them, but good luck. You pay for a lawyer out of your own pocket, and if you win, maybe you get money back.

People who try to form unions get fired. The company can ultimately claim any reason for firing someone (employee was late that one day there was a big snowstorm).

You can sue all you want here, but high priced lawyers will drag out the process and you'll be bankrupt in no time. If you are lucky they'll offer some tiny settlement to go away.

[-]

coldazures@reddit

Yeah, I thought that might be the case. The employment laws over here are so different. It really sucks how it works over there. I guess yes my advice isn't great if OP is in America.

[-]

kerosene31@reddit

Yep, HR will document the employee as "troubled", "erratic", etc. Bosses over here also will only tell you things like this in person, so they eventually just deny it.

If it gets to court, they have a whole file on the employee, while all we have is things we were told verbally.

[-]

Legitimate_Put_1653@reddit

Most places have an employee handbook that spells out the PTO policy. Does yours say anything about revoking previously-approved PTO? If not, I’d start to make noises about it because in practice a PTO approval means nothing. I’d also start looking for another job because these sound like the kind of people who figure they own you more so than employ you.

[-]

discjunky316@reddit

There are always urgent tasks. You said in your last post that your boss was a pretty chill guy. Explain to him that you are getting burnt out and if you don’t get a break it will at best result in sick time at worst you looking for a different job.

[-]

logoff4me@reddit

I feel like that last thing he should do is tell his boss that he’s going to go look for a different job

[-]

discjunky316@reddit

Totally fair. I tend to think the best of people but that’s not always true. If I were his boss and I had an employee come to me and say they were burning out and needed to take some of their PTO I would encourage them to take it while at the same time working on a plan to get essential work done.

[-]

logoff4me@reddit

lol I completely get it, you also gotta remember his boss denied his PTO because they “critically” need PCs renamed.

[-]

discjunky316@reddit

Yah. I was one of the first to respond. After that bit of information I agree his boss is not a “chill guy”

[-]

eNomineZerum@reddit

I don't see an issue of insinuating that it may be a thing. Yea, the market is tough, but backfilling a position is A LOT of work and you'd need to have a true asshole manager who is willing to fire out of spite, willing to fight/pay unemployment, and otherwise a tool for this to truly backfire.

I'm not saying "give me PTO or I quit" but something like "boss, felling burnt out and not sure how long I can keep up without proper breaks" should drive the point.

Regardless, if you can't take PTO you need to be looking for another job.

[-]

ExLaxMarksTheSpot@reddit

The people that report to me submit PTO requests as a heads up to me so I can manage coverage. I absolutely never consider whether or not to approve it, only what I need to do in order to make sure the team is covered during the absence. Sounds like you should be looking for something else. I know it’s a rough market right now, but it doesn’t hurt to start looking.

[-]

eskimo1@reddit

Exactly. I didn't even realize I had to say this to my teams that until I got my first IM saying "I would like to take next Friday off.. is that OK?" I guess the previous guy (Boomer) had a different viewpoint.

After that I had to tell my team leads - "A PTO request is not a request - it's a notification. Feel free to reach out if that will cause a coverage issue"

[-]

12manyhobbies@reddit

Call it a mental health day.

[-]

pbyyc@reddit

Renaming PCs is not a urgent task. Is there more to the project? IE migrating to a new domain, and part of the process of renaming the pc is due to a merger with another company, etc?

How big is the rest of your team? Can another team member help out? Why cant your boss do it? Ive stepped up for my team numerous times if they have PTO upcoming, and will continue to do so. Id rather have a happy team that I can trust to do the right thing, then to have pissed off employee's that will just look at leaving.

If my team needs PTO, they dont need to ask me, they just need to tell me. They are responsible enough to know what we consider high priority, and what can wait, and what is in the upcoming pipeline to play around. If its high priority then they will obviously complete it, but if its not, then they know its a good time to take some time off.

Its my job as the leader to make sure my team is happy, well rested, can take time off when they need and tasks are prioritized and planned appropriately. The last thing any team leader wants is a burnt out, high contributing team member that is going to leave for not being able to take a mental health break.

I have been in your shoes in some of my other jobs, and I told myself if i ever made it to leadership, i would always look after my team.

I myself make those boundaries with my VP as well.

[-]

Rad_Dad6969@reddit

How much notice did you give? I've never worked anywhere that two week notice wasn't preferred. That way you have time to finish those projects and new work can be delegated around your absence.

[-]

RCTID1975@reddit

Just explain it to him.

Tell him exactly what you told us, and have an actual discussion to come to a conclusion that works for everyone.

Why are so many people here afraid to have actual conversations with their managers?

[-]

spetcnaz@reddit

It's a binary choice at this point.

Whatever conclusion they come to is going to not sit right with one of them. Sounds like the manager/boss is an asshat, so his ego trip should not be weighed as OP's legal right to PTO or need for a break.

Otherwise I agree with you.

[-]

RCTID1975@reddit

You don't know any of that.

If someone on my team puts in a PTO request in the middle of a time sensitive project, with no information, ill likely deny it.

But if that person comes to me and says "I'm feeling burned out, and I'm struggling", we'll work to figure something out.

Assuming managers are asshats without any information at all is part of the problem with a lot of people here.

Just talk to the man and have a conversation. We're not mind readers.

[-]

stufforstuff@reddit

Assuming managers are asshats without any information at all is part of the problem with a lot of people here.

Exactly. No one here knows why the priority is set to what it's set to. No one here knows how big this project is. No one here knows how long OP hasn't finished this project. No one here knows if OP has other projects that are past due. No one here knows why OP can't finish the project on a timely manner. No one here knows how many or how often OP takes sick/vacation/PTO during this project.

Everyone just jumps on the poor OP, and has no clue what the actual situation is. It's 2 days after Labor day - for most people that was a 3 day weekend - why when a project is past due does OP feel they need more time off.

Problems ALWAYS have two sides - seems foolish people here think they can make a solid judgement on what little real info the OP has provided.

[-]

KnowledgeTransfer23@reddit

I've made a similar previous reply to you but for the sake of people following this subthread:

Why is punishing performance issues by denying earned benefits OK in your book? There are other avenues for dealing with performance issues. Burning out an employee is not going to close projects any faster.

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RCTID1975@reddit

That's the point. Unless you sit down and communicate, your manager has no way of knowing you're facing burnout.

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spetcnaz@reddit

Well, I am going by what the OP said, as that is what I know.

He provided the reason why it was denied, and it sounds extremely not urgent.

He talked to him, and the man said "no, rename the PCs". I agree that he should talk to him again, no question about that, but there is no mutually beneficial outcome. The possible outcomes are

A) the OP gets his PTO as he wanted B) He doesn't, because the boss got his way

Anything else is a change of the given facts. If the OP is ok with doing the project or partially doing it, and then going, then it changes the whole premise of the "conflict".

What we know is that the OP needs to go on PTO now, and his boss is denying it because the boss thinks a mundane project (confirmed by the OP) is more important than his employee's and colleague's well being and legal rights.

I am an IT manager, and I deal with other it managers a lot, plenty of assholes and ego trips.

Again, I am going by OP's info, if he is misrepresenting something, or lying, then if course the situation changes.

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KindlyGetMeGiftCards@reddit

This is true, managers aren't scary, they are just people. They are there to help you do your job, not boss you around, well most aren't.

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Ok-Material-1961@reddit

I am not requesting time off. I am telling you I am using my PTO as is part of my total compensation package.

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BiggOnion@reddit

Unless your boss can definitively tell you when there WON'T be any urgent tasks/emergencies, then anytime is as good as any other to take off. If they're so concerned about them, tell them you have every confidence in them being able to address them. And remind them that the PTO you have is guaranteed by HR, so you're not going to be there on the dates you specify.

There are ALWAYS going to be emergencies/urgent tasks (or whatever they consider 'urgent'), and jobs to do. Your boss is a jackass, go to HR and get time approved THERE. Or go to your bosses-boss and get it approved, and voice your concerns.

Worst case? You get fired, your stress is now gone (about that job, at least), your boss is short-handed and all the 'urgent' tasks are now theirs, and you find another job.

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pdoten@reddit

I know this may be suboptimal, but when I was faced with pushback on taking consecutive days off a long time ago, I then started taking a series of Mondays off. This seemed to go down better with the higher ups and it gave me a month or so of no Mondays. If there was a stat holiday that fell on one of the Mondays, I would extend the last Monday off date. If the boss didn't like Mondays for some reason (update calls or standups on that day), I took Fridays off.
It make you seem more reasonable, meeting them halfway and if any boss denies this, then brush up the resume,

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dracotrapnet@reddit

If you leaving for a week of PTO puts a project a risk, maybe there should be 2 of you.

If the biz can't handle you gone a week, they can't handle a derecho taking out power for a site for a week, they can't handle a hurricane resulting in 3 days of no power in the COLO, they can't handle a catastrophic fire in a main power distribution panel causing a week with no power. All things that have happened this summer to our company.

They are going to be without you if you end up in the hospital or drop them as an employer.

This is a man power problem and a managerial inability to break down tasks and schedule them appropriately. They really need to stop selling short roadmaps to their stakeholders and customers.

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apathyzeal@reddit

Ask when there wont be urgent tasks. And remind him rest is necessary in order to focus on those urgent tasks.

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eNomineZerum@reddit

Also, if boss wants to be an asshole, let him know that lack of rest and time off leads to burnout, reduced work output, ans a subsequent 6+ month period where he is forced to find, train, and ultimately backfill the position.

I hate this idea that IT workers are on 24/7 and can't take a break. I doubly hate the IT workers and IT workers turned managers that feel because they are always on others must always be on.

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randohtwf@reddit

Companies that operate this way do not care. They'll burn and churn employees at will, and completely ignore whether things are actually getting done or not.

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kerosene31@reddit

Assuming this is in the US (I'm going out on a limb and assuming it is), FMLA (family leave medical act) is an option. Go to a doctor and tell them your issues and see if they'll get you FMLA. FMLA is basically a "you can't work due to health". It can even be an ongoing thing where you work sometimes and not others.

I would not discuss health issues with anyone at work (boss or HR). They will document your "problems" and make you look like the problem.

Even in the US, it would take a company with a lot of stones to fire someone on FMLA.

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_Jimmy2times@reddit

How soon did you request the time? I don’t approve time-off requests without 2 weeks notice, personally. Unless there are extenuating circumstances, I suppose.

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lmbrjck@reddit

You shouldn't be requesting time off. You should be notifying them you are taking time off. The "request" is more of a courtesy.

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Valdaraak@reddit

What can I tell my boss so he can accept my request

Nothing. You call in sick the day(s) you were planning to take. Might even be able to find a doctor/psych to write a note saying you have to be out of work for a bit. Especially if you tell them how it's negatively affecting your health.

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Firestorm83@reddit

move to a place where PTO isn't a request...

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BigBobFro@reddit

Call in sick. And shut off your phone.

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BigChubs1@reddit

Be like my step dad. I won't be here. It's your job boss to make sure everything is covered. And/or when you don't show up for work. Be like I wasn't asking for permission to take time off. I was letting you know I won't be here. It's your job to pick up the slack or get someone else to cover.

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Sneakycyber@reddit

Stop asking. If you have sick time, use it. I know that is easier said than done, especially if you are in an "at will" state.

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Jkabaseball@reddit

I always tell my boss, who wants to work for someone that doesn't let them take vacation time. Seriously, it's a week. If you let this slide, you will probably not get a vacation approved again.

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joshg678@reddit

The only Urgent Task is your Mental Health.

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Coupe368@reddit

Obviously you should ask for time off well in advance.

Tell your boss that you will be taking time off.

Don't ask.

If they deny you, apply for a new job then give them 0 notice when you leave.

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k0rbiz@reddit

This happened to me at my former employer when the IT Director kept denying my PTO requests. I mentioned that I needed time off and my PTO doesn't roll over. This kept going until December. I finally took time off around the holidays but then he gets pissed when I return.

He tells the entire team in our meeting "Must be nice to take time off. I haven't had a day off in 6 years." I replied "You should try it." His response was "Oh yeah? And when do you suppose I can do that? Nobody else knows how to do X and Y."

"I know how to manage and work on those things, you don't allow me access." "Yeah because I'm not going to give you all the keys to the kingdom." "Alright, you can continue to micro manage us all you want. Burn yourself out."

He laughed it off and went on with the meeting. When I got my PTO again in January, I told my boss I wanted to schedule my PTO, he brought it up in our next IT meeting, joked and laughed about it. Nobody in those meetings stand up to him because they're all afraid to speak. I went directly to HR about it. They did nothing which clearly shows the type of business they're in. I left that job and found a job that doesn't question my usage on PTO.

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pixelstation@reddit

Do you have any sick days?

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Vag_blaster69@reddit

Just fake a emergency? Get creative, maybe include fecal matter and look for a new job.

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YouWontWinWithMe@reddit

Just remember, when you're on your deathbed, no one at your bedside will be from the office. Your health comes first. Period.

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Papfox@reddit

I remember watching a humorous show, ages ago, about someone whose job in the afterlife was to classify everyone who passed away based on their last thoughts. "Nobody's last thought was ever 'I wish I'd worked harder'"

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stesha83@reddit

PC names don’t matter, at all

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Helpjuice@reddit

Automate this work and roll out. You should be able to get this done fairly quickly. - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.management/rename-computer?view=powershell-7.4 - https://www.hostinger.com/tutorials/linux-change-hostname - https://devblogs.microsoft.com/scripting/the-easy-way-to-use-powershell-to-move-computer-accounts/ - https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.utility/import-csv?view=powershell-7.4

Use one of the many automation systems out there if you need to do this at scale so you can knock this out.

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sjesion@reddit

It’s a tough time to be looking for a new job. Either start looking for a new job and take the vacation or stay there.

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Magnumload@reddit

Way to many corpo bootlickers in here.

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Admirable-Radio-2416@reddit

Yup.. And also way too many people who think HR is your friend.

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bhambrewer@reddit

"you can either accept my PTO request or my resignation"

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WorldlinessUsual4528@reddit

In this climate, I doubt most people are foolish enough to do this though. Maybe if they have enough savings or another position lined up...

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Admirable-Radio-2416@reddit

A really good worker will find a job even in this economy.

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TheThirdHippo@reddit

Sounds like there’s a third option. Mental health issue, time off for stress if your doc/gp will sign you off. UK here and it’s becoming a pretty big deal to put mental health at the top of an employers priority list

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Admirable-Radio-2416@reddit

Simple, you tell your boss you will be taking PTO and you are not requesting it, you are only informing him that you won't be showing up. And if he still argues back, off to doctor you go to get a doctor's note that you need to rest

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Dapper_Presence226@reddit

He has the right to do this unfortunately

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HugeM3@reddit

Tell him to Fk off and get another job.

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feedmescanlines@reddit

I'm sure it's buried in the comments, but I haven't seen it, so just in case here's the right answer: Go and get that depression / burnout / stress diagnosed and get a doctor's note. Chill at home.

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larz_6446@reddit

The problem is described right in your title. You made a request. You did not make a declarative statement.

Next time you want PTO, don't say I'd like to take this day off. Instead say, I will not be here on x date.

If he asks what for; you tell him it is personal. And leave it at that. If he starts to interrogate you, just tell him they are called personal days for a reason.

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gargravarr2112@reddit

You could try:

"That was not a request, that was me informing you that I will not be available on those days."

Standing your ground is risky if you work in an at-will state, but you have every right to use your PTO and you do not need to justify it either - you don't need to tell anyone why you're taking time off, just that you won't be working. If that causes problems for the business, then that's your boss' exact job to fix. If your boss is going to be an a-hole about it, you may have to go to HR directly. Denying it over something so trivial feels like a petty power move.

Be the judge of your environment though; if going over your boss' head is going to make enemies, then tread carefully.

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Valkeyere@reddit

Putting in for PTO is a formality.

"I'm burning out. I'm taking a 4 day weekend" they can either pay your leave or not okay it and not pay you.

This is not indentured servitude.

If I have accrued leave I'm taking it when I want it, within reason. If we have half the staff out sick then I'm not looking to be an ass about it. But if I need a day to deal with personal matters or if I just really need a break, I come first not them.

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CuriosTiger@reddit

“In that case, I quit.”

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secretusername555@reddit

So you are the only person to deal with their IT issues? Worlds fucked.

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MrAsche@reddit

What country? In Belgium you go to a doctor and say you are always stressed, cried in the car last night, can't sleep anymore from stress at work and you will 100% sure get paid sickleave.

Be careful with burnouts. Often it is overlooked that your family and friends are the ones that lay for it.

But I have the opposite. Over 3 years I have lost 3 colleagues in a 4 man team (we are still friends though)... so I am left alone. I have so many projects and am drowning and after saying it over and over my manager still thinks I don't have anything to do and have all the time in the world... everything is up and running after all.

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WhatsFairIsFair@reddit

As a manager I have never felt it was appropriate to deny a time off request.

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BK_Rich@reddit

I would say what you are telling us “I feel like I am losing it and this will be detrimental to my health.”

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MrCertainly@reddit

Time to escalate to your Union rep -- they're here for situations just like this.

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klipeh@reddit

Something similar happened to me...

My boss denied me vacancies that HR approved after he told me to talk to them first, which I did via email, and he was always in Cc.

When time came to ask him, he just denied me the time off, saying we had too much work ahead of us and all the typical bad boss BS.

I just knew this was not a good start, my first year as sys Admin, going through the pandemic (2020), helped prepare Datacenter for people to be able to work from home, had like 2 weeks or so nonstop staying late at the office from 10am to 10pm and 11pm... (our contracts here are the normal 8h), my first Job where I had weeks 24/7 on call that the payment was through money I had to first spend and use their company social number on the invoiced and give them so they would pay me back, worst BS ever. 10 months of this to just be denied 1 or 2 weeks of normal time off so I could recharge batteries.

Just looked at him and said "ok". As soon as I got home that day, I sent tons of CVs without looking too much into the job posts, 2 weeks later, I was putting my resignation letter.

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TheGraycat@reddit

You’re not asking for time off, you’re informing them when you will be off.

Unless it’s business critical (ie: directly impacting their P&L), it can wait.

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blk55@reddit

I gave 3 months notice that I wanted to burn up all 5 weeks of my vacation time in one go. Approved, no one said anything. 1.5 months later, I'm being told that they can't go without me for that long and I need to reschedule. I said I'll just take paternity leave (still entitled to it) instead for 6 months, and they will get 1 weeks notice (as per law) when I'll start taking it. The CEO stepped in and immediately granted my time off including an extra week for "working so hard this year". Needless to say, my boss was pissed as she had to find funds to backfill. Currently bumming around Asia with the family, different stress but more enjoyable!

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jhaand@reddit

Then it will be sick leave tomorrow, because your health is more important.

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serverhorror@reddit

Tell them it's not a request, you're not informing them.

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RoloTimasi@reddit

Another option would be to go see your doctor and tell him/her about how you've been stressed and feeling on the verge of a breakdown (or however you want to word it) and see if they can provide a doctor's note for some medical leave.

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TFABAnon09@reddit

Tell me you live in North America without telling me you live in North America...

In the UK, we'd laugh and tell them to fuck off.

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cdspace31@reddit

If reddit has taught me anything, you have 3 options: take the time off and get fired, quit before they can fire you, or divorce your wife, because she's cheating on you with your boss.

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spyddarnaut@reddit

how big is the company? if big enough, take it to HR so that they can school him on PTO approvals. PTO is a benefit the company provides. It is not something your boss gets to reward you with for a job well done. Meaning it is not up to him. It is something for him to manage in his supervisory role.

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HellDuke@reddit

Depends on where you live and what the law is. For example, I would just do malicious compliance and say fine, but remind them that since there are 28 days of PTO that they must provide within this year there will come a time when I will request 28 days of PTO straight, and it would be illegal to not approve it.

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xboxhobo@reddit

This is insanity.

!remindMe 6 months

I'm curious if you'll still be working at this place.

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michaelpaoli@reddit

Give your notice, take all the time you need. Let your boss figure that one out.

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horus-heresy@reddit

Only if op has an offer lined up with start date

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michaelpaoli@reddit

detrimental to my health

Health and safety take precedence.

I've quite job(s) before without having something else lined up ... not that I make a habit of it.

But, e.g. job that was exempt and didn't pay that great, and had crept up to typically 60 hours per week, sometimes over 100 hours in a week, and they just kept amping up the pressure ... I told 'em to back off ... they didn't ... so ... after more than having my fill, I gave notice. Under the circumstances, rather than the customary two weeks, I gave 'em 80 working hours notice. Enough was enough. Didn't have anything lined up, but didn't take all that long ... and was way the hell better - much more sane and reasonable, better compensation and benefits, better growth opportunities, etc., etc. Besides, how the hell is one supposed to look for another job while one is working 60 to 100+ hours a week? Pretty challenging at even a mere 40 hours.

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TheJollyHermit@reddit

Unemployment, potential homelessness, bankruptcy, burning through your savings, even the stress of having to find a job are also very bad for your health. The proper path is to immediately start looking for another opportunity that provides a better work environment while not burning down your current situation. Obviously they should take a stronger stance with their boss about needing time off for some mental health but if the object is be less stressed and improve mental health just up and quitting is highly counter productive unless they aren't dependent on their salary to live.

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michaelpaoli@reddit

That's why you have a healthy "rainy day" fund. Could sit on my *ss for many years if I needed to ... don't want to, and never been out 'o work all that incredibly long, but, e.g. longest (around time of the dot com bubble burst) was 'bout a yearish ... not ideal, but I wasn't sweating it - no great hardship. And that other job I quit - that time off was a helluva needed break, and at 60 to 100+ hours a week (plus a commute that was over 90 minutes each way), wasn't really feasible to be looking for other work at the same time.

And hey, IT, sh*t happens, sometimes the economy or more specifically area(s) of IT / sysadmin, the market goes very soft ... can happen at any time. Folks ought be prepared for whatever, 'cause whatever comes around more swiftly than one might expect ... and sometimes even with little to zero advance notice - e.g. one contract I was working where I was quite assured it would be continuing ... they screwed up and cut me off without notice - mostly due to their own incompetence ... anyway, sh*t happens. With bit of luck, not too frequently, but regardless, one should be prepared.

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sir_mrej@reddit

Talk through the urgent items with your boss.

Then go off on your own and estimate how long those urgent items will take (1 week? 1 month?).

Then talk to your boss again and present how long the urgent items will take, and request PTO for the date after they're completed.

See what your boss says.

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AccurateBandicoot494@reddit

Remind him that your PTO is part of your overall compensation package, and that you were simply providing notice that you will be using it on those days, it wasn't a request.

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WorldlinessUsual4528@reddit

However, not all companies allow you to take that time off without planning and prior approval. In mine, it's explicitly stated in our handbook that all time off is Managers discretion.

I, being the manager, tell them I consider all requests as informing me they won't be here. I tell my team they don't need to ask, just put it in and I'll accept but I would appreciate a week's notice when possible. If we have no Helpdesk that day because they all took time off that day, then so be it.

However, most other managers in my company are not like that. I'm also hoping they do all take off the same time one day cuz I've been trying for years to get more people lol

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Consistent_Chip_3281@reddit

Yikes, just call your boss and ask verbally so he can hear your voice. I mean if its like that, might be okay to try and recruit a co-worker? You can also try taking naps at lunch. Idk man thats like defcon4 so i know what you mean.

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richms@reddit

It wasn't a request is all you say.

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llDemonll@reddit

Don’t ask for permission, tell that you’ll be gone. Tell him you put in your request for PTO and you’ll be gone those days. If he wants to write you up for taking time off without approval let him, it’ll make your decision to leave easier.

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unseenspecter@reddit

I don't all for time off. I tell my boss I'm taking PTO because I'm a reasonable person that didn't just leave when something actually urgent is pending and PTO I'll be damned if some nobody tells me what I can do with my own time.

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ph33rlus@reddit

Sounds like you need to call in sick instead of PTO. Mental health and all

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Obvious-Jacket-3770@reddit

Don't let him take your power. You aren't asking him to take time. You are informing him you are taking the time given to you by the company. His acceptance of it is not to allow you but so he knows you won't be there.

If your boss isn't ok with you taking PTO, you shouldn't be ok working for him.

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Superb_Raccoon@reddit

What can you tell him?

"I quit"

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Papfox@reddit

Your boss seems to have two choices. They can either approve your reasonable request for a few days off to attend to your mental health or you can go to your doctor, tell them how you're suffering from work-related stress and get them to sign you off sick for several weeks. Their choice

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NickMalo@reddit

Lack of preparation and planning on their part does not constitute an emergency on yours. Talk to him and tell him how YOU feel, you need a day to recover.

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lynxss1@reddit

You need a new job, come work for me haha.

I'm one that doesnt take much time off when I should but recently that all changed. My son got sick, hes been in multiple hospitals in multiple states and the ER several times. I was trying to keep track of my time away traveling to Drs and staying with him at home. I have more than used up my leave time plus also have some urgent tasks that are holding up $$million project. I feel bad having others waiting on me but my boss continually reminds me family comes first. Never worked at a place like this before so unfamiliar.

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SquizzOC@reddit

“I’m not asking, I’m giving you the courtesy of knowing I won’t be here on X day, I’ll address all tasks and issues upon my return”

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draconicmonkey@reddit

Wow... Unless a team member has a history of taking advantage of trust and trying to game the system (planning vacation during a go live or some other madness), I'm of the opinion there is no reason to deny a team member's PTO. There should always be a back up in place to cover down on critical activities and timelines sometimes need to shift to account for unavailability. What would he do if you had a sudden illness or needed surgery? Make you remote in from the hospital room?

But in corporate speak I would approach my manager and ask him to break down your urgent tasks and help you understand what factors are contributing to their urgency. I would also explain how you're feeling and how your stress is affecting your work and health.

If you can't find alignment between what his expectations and your needs are, then it may be time to brush up your resume and head down to HR or your ombudsman to see if they can help mediate the disagreement. If not - then I would try the open market and see if you can find a boss that is more people oriented.

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qcow2_@reddit

When I submit my PTO, I tell my boss I'm not available those days. I don't tell them the reasons because they are not entitled to it.

Remember, they can always fire you or let you go without any notice. Prioritize yourself. Your health comes first.

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KindlyGetMeGiftCards@reddit

Ask them directly, you advised me to take PTO, you also want this urgent tasks to be done, which will take precedence, then be quiet and let them make that decision.

The issue is clear communication, be clear and direct, not rude, then let them answer it themselves without guiding them.

Their answer will determine what their character is like. Once you know that then act accordingly.

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Latter-Tune-9111@reddit

Tell your boss he needs to find someone to take those tasks on or put in place a plan to get the business to a place where they can survive a week or two without you.

Because if you have a breakdown and quit he's still going to need someone to do those jobs.

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Xibby@reddit

You could tell him r/sysadmin thinks he’s a dick. That’s just universal for any country.