I have a salary position in Michigan. There are no sick days, or personal days given as benefits. The only benefits are a medical package which I pay alot for, and 5 paid vacation days after one year of employment. I've been here over a year and have taken two of my vacation days. My husband has to have surgery this upcoming week. I was told that in order to take that day off I have to take it as a vacation day. Is this legal? If I refuse to fill out a vacation request form can they fire me, and if they did what are the chances that I'd be able to collect unemployment?

Just a comment I'd like to state also: it seems to me that the United States of America is surely and quickly becoming the United Corporate States of America where corporations have way too much power, are way too corrupt and are willing to crush us regular people in many unfair and unjust ways.

Of course it is legal for them to require you to take the day as a vacation day. That's what vacation time is for - to use when you are not at work.

Yes, you can be fired if you refuse to fill out a vacation request form. I won't try to guess if you would qualify for UI - I can see it going either way depending on the exact circumstances, how hard the employer chooses to fight it, and the mood of the ALJ.

Why in the world would you refuse to fill out a vacation request form?:confused:

The reason I don't want to fill out the vacation form is because I would very much like to use my vacation days as vacation days, not being at a hospital with someone who needs surgery.

Nonetheless, the fact remains that your employer may legally require you to use a vacation day, and fire you if you refuse to comply.