Dilemma !!!!!!!!

[K&P]

Patty and I (Kurt) will be at Temptations Feb 19th thru Feb 26th.
I just found out my biggest client wants me to attend a pre-project meeting in Phoenix on the 23rd that I did not know about untill today.
The owner of the company wants me to go. fly out of Cancun the 22nd at 5pm to Houston to Phoenix attend meeting for 8 hours on the 23rd. Fly out of Phoenix to Houston back to Cancun 10pm on the 23rd. $1800. round trip flight that company will pay for. He (the owner) has also said he would pay for vacation if I attend meeting. This is not the first time this has happened everytime we schedule to go away, something comes up.
I have postponed vacations several times over the past 10 years for work.
The owner has always made it up to me with big bonuses.
Its not about the money, its that I will be losing 2 days in the middle of our stay for work.
So should I put my foot down and say "can't do it" or just go with a smile.

Originally Posted by K&P

Patty and I (Kurt) will be at Temptations Feb 19th thru Feb 26th.
I just found out my biggest client wants me to attend a pre-project meeting in Phoenix on the 23rd that I did not know about untill today.
The owner of the company wants me to go. fly out of Cancun the 22nd at 5pm to Houston to Phoenix attend meeting for 8 hours on the 23rd. Fly out of Phoenix to Houston back to Cancun 10pm on the 23rd. $1800. round trip flight that company will pay for. He (the owner) has also said he would pay for vacation if I attend meeting. This is not the first time this has happened everytime we schedule to go away, something comes up.
I have postponed vacations several times over the past 10 years for work.
The owner has always made it up to me with big bonuses.
Its not about the money, its that I will be losing 2 days in the middle of our stay for work.
So should I put my foot down and say "can't do it" or just go with a smile.

I'd go. A good stable job is a valuable thing right now.

[beast]

I agree, not a lot of jobs to pick from right now. If he said he is going to pay for the vacation maybe you can get it extended a couple of days for being a team player?

[maddbomber]

go...and since he is offering to pay for the vacation tell him you want to tack those two days onto the end of the trip...extra long vacation for your wife and 7 days of vacation for you

[Dave & Audrey]

Go. food and shelter are great things.

But ask to have 2 days added onto vacation to make up for lost time. you get your same vacation days, just with a breather in the middle. you get to be the hero for your big client who will notice that you are ducking out of your vacation for it. you get to come through for the boss and get a bonus.

Its not a bad deal and your liver will appreciate it.

[AW]

I'm in agreement with everyone else. Take the free vacation and see if you can extend it a couple of more days to cover the time away for work (like the previous poster say, for being a team player).

[Brewster]

I have to agree with the rest. It certainly sounds like you are a valued employee. The job market is a long way from healthy these days.

It's disappointing but a lot less so than others are feeling not having jobs at all. The compensation is certainly generous.

Look to next year to plan your vacation time together with your employer to choose an optimum time to go without interuption (so you don't disappoint your spouse). Including his/her input is a "buy in" for the company and will result in some reluctance to recall you next time.

[pacpl496]

Noooooo Way!!!!!!!!!!!!! You can not leave your wife there at the resort with my wife!!!!!!!!!! I may as well just go to Arizona with you,lol

[Jen&Kyle]

I agree with above. I would also ask nicely if the rest of the time could not be deducted from your vacation balance since this happens a lot. That way you could use the money saved plus the vacation saved and go back at the END of the project to keep your wife happy. I am sure he would go for it. He gets what he needs for the project and you get the reward to look forward to at the end of the project, a vacation where you can use your money saved and vacation time saved from this trip.

[Canadian Dos Equis fan]

counter offer with the above considerations from your boss and try to get a full week after the meeting, I think your boss would go for it!

[chasracer01]

kurt you got to go with what pays the bills. we will keep pattys tank full & take good care of her if she stays with us. no promise that she wont throw stones at you when you get back.lol. i am sure connie & lisa can keep her busy. you have a tough call.

[Tim&Jo]

I agree pay the bills first Tim

[jeff & barb]

Originally Posted by K&P

Patty and I (Kurt) will be at Temptations Feb 19th thru Feb 26th.
I just found out my biggest client wants me to attend a pre-project meeting in Phoenix on the 23rd that I did not know about untill today.
The owner of the company wants me to go. fly out of Cancun the 22nd at 5pm to Houston to Phoenix attend meeting for 8 hours on the 23rd. Fly out of Phoenix to Houston back to Cancun 10pm on the 23rd. $1800. round trip flight that company will pay for. He (the owner) has also said he would pay for vacation if I attend meeting. This is not the first time this has happened everytime we schedule to go away, something comes up.
I have postponed vacations several times over the past 10 years for work.
The owner has always made it up to me with big bonuses.
Its not about the money, its that I will be losing 2 days in the middle of our stay for work.
So should I put my foot down and say "can't do it" or just go with a smile.

Amazing - I also have to leave the resort on the 23rd to attend a last minute strategic planning meeting in Scottsdale (at the Hermosa Inn), but my wife and I decided just to end the trip early, she'll head back to NY and me to the desert.

[K&P]

Thanks to everyone for your input. Its done I'm going to Phoenix.
Patty is very upset, but she understands this is my job and if it was not for this job we would not be going to Cancun in the first place.
She absolutely hates being alone or left behind and I have had to do it many times when we were on vacation because of my job, in the past she has always had the 2 daughters with her so is was not that bad.
I hope everyone will look out for her (she does not want to be the 3rd wheel) while I'm away.
Thanks in advance to everyone, Kurt

[chasracer01]

we will look out for her. we know she doesnt like being alone. hope she can have a good time with us.

[mtl2]

Originally Posted by chasracer01

we will look out for her. we know she doesnt like being alone. hope she can have a good time with us.

Hey guys,
Charlies right we will keep her entertained while you are gone. Take care of business... then come back quickly and relax. If the meetings go well, it would be a good reason for a few drinks.

[Neil_Jo]

Kurt
I think its the only thing to do

Smile and wave and take the money
Cancun and TTR are not going anywhere.