We have a dept mgr who is off until Dec 16th, due to knee surgery. Seems kinda suspicious. I'm sure she had the surgery, but it seems like she could have had it sooner, or later, after Christmas. Whatev'.
Generally folks aren't given time off then, but sometimes they grant special exceptions. There's an assoc from the Phillipines at my store, and she was gone for 2 weeks around Christmas 2 years ago. I think it was a time when all her family would be together, so not TOO many folks get their panties in a wad.
Mad