How to convince the boss?

[Rockhound]

You are either independently wealthy or have parents with an extra room and a full refrigerator.

TW

I have not lived with mom or dad since since I was 18 but yes, I am independently wealthy. I have freedom, happiness and time. That is how I measure wealth. Do I own a house, a plasma screen TV, a Porche? No, but I am able to manifest whatever I need. Some of the happiest, most content people I have ever met have little or nothing in the way of material possessions or money and I have met miserable millionaires. The only way to true happiness is to rid yourself of fear, greed and attachment. I did this 6 years ago and have been happier ever since. I would never expect you to understand this Weasy until you do the same.

[olyroller]

I asked for a LOA which was proptly denied, I understand they did not want to set the precident, but I left anyway and have no regrets. I will say this much though...it is a tough economic climate to walk from a 'dream job', but things will turn around soon enough.

[Egads]

Lots of businesses are struggling with payroll and layoffs.

It might be a win-win for you and the employer.

On the other hand, you may come back from the hike and find that you are unemployed.

[The Weasel]

I have not lived with mom or dad since since I was 18 but yes, I am independently wealthy. I have freedom, happiness and time. That is how I measure wealth. Do I own a house, a plasma screen TV, a Porche? No, but I am able to manifest whatever I need. Some of the happiest, most content people I have ever met have little or nothing in the way of material possessions or money and I have met miserable millionaires. The only way to true happiness is to rid yourself of fear, greed and attachment. I did this 6 years ago and have been happier ever since. I would never expect you to understand this Weasy until you do the same.

And you pay your rent with what?

I understand just fine. It's just wonderful being a grasshopper and being superior to the ants. Until winter comes, that is.

TW

[Rockhound]

Like I said. I would never expect you to understand.

[Alligator]

The question comes up now and then but I think Guy's #2 is a very helpful tip. Getting advice from here is useful but getting advice from someone within your organization who has used the policy is very case specific. I also thought RevLee's approach could be a good route particularly if it was casually intiated, "In a couple of years I was thinking of hiking the AT..."

[buz]

I think the weasel's first post was perfect. Not the best time to stretch your job relationship, unless you don't want it, or seem to not want it, this from the employers perspective.

You specifically stated it is your dream job and a great company. Y put that at risk as a new employee? I am not trying to drown your dreams, but our country right now is in poor shape, job wise. If you want to hike, and deal with what happens, hike. But don't then rue the consequences when and if something doesn't work out. Not trying to be negative, just IMO, you should put the nose to the grindstone for awhile, if you really value your job. Because I think you would not get it back with the company you are employed by.

Good luck,

[summermike]

Yeah, and the 10% of the nation that's unemployed today will do its best to take them away from you.

Exactly. If the company had to downsize tomorrow they wouldn't hesitate to dump him in a heartbeat. The permanence isn't there on their end so he shouldn't think of it as being there on his end, either. There will be other jobs.

[The Weasel]

Work is highly over rated. Money is highly over rated. Free yourself of these needless attachments. Enjoy the here and now. Too many people spend their lives punching clocks worrying about tomorrow. You should ask yourself if you were not receiving a paycheck would you still love your job and continue to go? If yes congrats. If no then stop going and start enjoying each moment of every day. Stop sacrificing 40/50/60 hours a week in exchange for a couple days a week or a couple weeks a year of freedom. You are free right now if you choose to be. So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains and we never even know we have the key.

You are either independently wealthy or have parents with an extra room and a full refrigerator.

TW

I have not lived with mom or dad since since I was 18 but yes, I am independently wealthy. I have freedom, happiness and time. That is how I measure wealth. Do I own a house, a plasma screen TV, a Porche? No, but I am able to manifest whatever I need. Some of the happiest, most content people I have ever met have little or nothing in the way of material possessions or money and I have met miserable millionaires. The only way to true happiness is to rid yourself of fear, greed and attachment. I did this 6 years ago and have been happier ever since. I would never expect you to understand this Weasy until you do the same.

And you pay your rent with what?

I understand just fine. It's just wonderful being a grasshopper and being superior to the ants. Until winter comes, that is.

TW

Like I said. I would never expect you to understand.

And like i said, I understand just fine. Tell us: Having forsworn filthy lucre and oppressive work, as I asked before, "You pay your rent with what?"

I don't know if this guy makes millions as an investment banker or loves flipping burgers at Joe's Eats, and I don't care: Unless you're living off the taxpayer's buck, or mooching from Mom and Dad or someone else who does work, you gotta pay the rent, buy the food, and set something aside for the doctor bill. And a few other things. Kissing off a job that accomplishes that against the hope - without anything more - that it will be there is sorta like jumping out of an airplane without a chute: Sure, if the plane's not off the ground, you might not get hurt - much - but other times, well, it's just kinda risky, after the first few thrilling moments.

But you might not understand that.

TW

[Egads]

Weasel, you and PP live in different worlds... You're 61 & he is 20 something. He'll learn some day

[Tractor]

Some random thoughts:

A US company that can currently afford to allow a productive employee LOA to hike seems a bit out of place. Even if management is all smiles and says "best of luck" and "we will do our best to give you your job back when you return" is not something to count on nor should it be dwelled upon if said individual does take a hike. It is nice to have that upon leaving but is not a golden ticket.

Not burning that bridge, though, is fine and at least keeps the spirit(s) up.

Management and HR "positive references to potential rehire" do not equate to a guarantee and I would not wish to begin nor complete a thru thinking "what if".

I sure would like to head out with a firm conviction no matter what happens (given my best effort) I will be just fine around the corner and go for it. Otherwise, I best stay seated and wait for the next ride. t

[MikenSalem]

Dream Job and best possible company to work for VS the hike. If they didn't need you they'd not have hired you. If you've proven yourself irreplaceable they might consider letting you have time off. Tell your boss your dream and see if he buys in. He may even suggest how to accomplish it. If not then weigh what's more important the job or hike. My opinion you got the rest of your life to work, mortgages or a wife and children require it. If you can limit your desire for material possessions you can find allot more dream jobs.

[Montana AT05]

One day, after working year after year after year, after taking little no sick leave, after being afraid (or too self-important) to take 5 days in a row for vacation, after routinely working 12 hour days, ignoring your health, your family, and your dreams and after enduring all sorts of stress, you may find yourself laid off or fired because a bad manager came upon the scene. I've seen it happen time after time. And no, it's not wrong--companies must be able to downsize and make corrections. It's healthy.

What is not healthy is blind obedience and co-dependent-love-fests with inanimate things like companies.

Fact: If you are going to work like I described above--do it for yourself, or at the very least, in a field you truly love. And be married to the WORK, not the company.

I am not saying you shouldn't work hard or sacrifice when appropriate or keep your nose to the grindstone, all I am saying is you should be VERY wary of people who try to prevent you from doing something just because the led a life wedded to a job that wasn't wedded to them.

a few more rambling points:

1. Is it really a dream job? If so, maybe stay in it for awhile--learn more, make yourself more valuable to the field (not just to your current job in it). Form trusting relationships that may help you get that leave of absence later.

2. Are you single? No kids? Minimal to no debt? If yes, good job or not, this may be an ideal time. It's hard to do a thru when you are newly married, with toddlers and a need for an income.

3. The worst decision is the one not made. Whether you thru-hike now or later, just make a decision and make the best of it. Excel at whatever you do. Doors open if you do that. Stay flexible, save money, and build skill sets you can sell anywhere (or that make you self-employed). Never assume things will magically come to you. Opportunities are most often made, those that aren't require you to be positioned to take them (let alone recognize them).

And a repeat of above--beware those who risk much by a life of perceived security and who, consequently, gain little in the end. And beware those who envy and who seek to fetter your aspirations with the chains of their own limitations.

[Jayboflavin04]

I think TW's post was pretty accurate. Much of the nation is struggling and not working.

I think the OP needs to give more info....

1) Describe the job.....
2) What other obligations (family, friends, property, significant other)

If you are young, just entered the work force, have 0 obligations and are finacially sound enough to make the small investment. I say "just do it". Otherwise you need to do some very careful "risk assesment".

[Jayboflavin04]

This also reminds me of my favorite quote

" Twenty years from now. You will regret the things you didn't do more than the things you did."

[The Weasel]

Weasel, you and PP live in different worlds... You're 61 & he is 20 something. He'll learn some day

Ummm, Egads? Those are lessons I learned from my mammy and pappy before I was 20. Actually, I learned the fable of the grasshopper and the ants from Uncle Walt when I saw the cartoon on Disneyland. Pup is either independently wealthy, living off of someone else, or fibbing just a little if he says you don't need a job to eat.

TW

[Wise Old Owl]

Give him a long notice and quit. - then come back and beg....


No wait .... Not so wise.....