Vacation Donation policy in non-emergencies

Amyl

Our company may be going to announce some unpaid shutdowns for which employees, if they elect, may use accrued vacation. We have a vacation donation policy for emergencies -- there has been a suggestion that we expand that for the shutdowns to allow people with a lot of vacation to donate theirs for employees to use who may otherwise be impacted financially. We don't want to do that -- what excuse can we use other than this is outside our policies and an administrative hassle?

System

I believe that explaining to workers that this does not constitute an emergency under your vacation donation policy is a perfectly fine explanation. Often, employers get themselves into trouble when they attempt to craft "alternative explanations" for a decision that affects workers.

Don D

Amyl: I agree that it's not a good idea. Probably would be an administrative nightmare. I think I would just tell them or their representatives that "Our management committee has reviewed and studied that recommendation and the Company has decided not to implement it."