My husband works for a small business owner and advised him a week ago he needed to take a vacation day. His boss told him he will not grant him his vacation time and he will have to come in on Saturday to make it up. My husband and are a vactioning, hence taking the day off, so he obviously will not be in on that Saturday. He then advised my husband he will not receive vacation pay on his paycheck if he doesn't give him those 8 hours before the end of the week. 1. Is my husband entitled to take this time when he wants? 2. Is his boss allowed to withhold that pay? (They do not have a policy manual for us to consult.) Thanks for your help!

My husband works for a small business owner and advised him a week ago he needed to take a vacation day. His boss told him he will not grant him his vacation time and he will have to come in on Saturday to make it up. My husband and are a vactioning, hence taking the day off, so he obviously will not be in on that Saturday. He then advised my husband he will not receive vacation pay on his paycheck if he doesn't give him those 8 hours before the end of the week. 1. Is my husband entitled to take this time when he wants? 2. Is his boss allowed to withhold that pay? (They do not have a policy manual for us to consult.) Thanks for your help!


Vacation time is not mandated by law, but at the employer's discretion. A company can cause an employee to cancel or postpone their vacation, and do not have to pay for it.
IF there is anything in writing, which it seems there is not, then that would need to be honored.
I am sorry to hear of your woes, I have worked for small companies that did not even give a single sick day all year, either.
Best wishes.
Sue