I was hired for this position in April 2010 and was told that there was a 90 day trial period for my employment. I specifically asked about vacation/sick/personal leave and was told to just tell my boss when I needed off and it would be okay. This is a relatively small company. Yesterday, just two weeks shy of the end of my 90 day trial period, I was told via email that sick/personal/vacation time is not given until an employee has been with the company for 6 months and that any time I take off for any reason will be not paid. I have never received any documentation prior to that time stating this "rule", nor was I made aware of it prior to being hired. I was never given an employee handbook with this written in it nor did I have to sign anything stating I was aware of the rule. Is this legal? Do I have any rights? I have not spoken to my employer about this yet as I have no idea what to say or how to bring it up. Help!
Let me clarify, when I asked about vacation/sick/personal time, I specifically asked if there was an elimination period, if we received paid time for those, and how much time was given. I was told that it was paid time off, there were no stated amount of days, and all you had to do was tell the employer when you wanted time off or were going to be out sick and it would be okay. I have worked for several companies that have allowed sick and personal time after 90 days and a partial vacation time prior to 6 months of employment. It isn’t uncommon for that to be the case here in Texas. I never said nor did I imply that I was entitled to paid time off. I am asking about the rules regarding changing eligibility for it AFTER being hired.
Let me clarify, when I asked about vacation/sick/personal time, I specifically asked if there was an elimination period, if we received paid time for those, and how much time was given. I was told that it was paid time off, there were no stated amount of days, and all you had to do was tell the employer when you wanted time off or were going to be out sick and it would be okay. I have worked for several companies that have allowed sick and personal time after 90 days and a partial vacation time prior to 6 months of employment. It isn’t uncommon for that to be the case here in Texas. I never said nor did I imply that I was entitled to paid time off. I am asking about the rules regarding changing eligibility for it AFTER being hired.