Conflicting Info from ERC and Site HR About Educational LOA — What Are My Options?

Hey everyone,

I’m looking for some advice or insight because I’m getting conflicting information from ERC and my site HR about taking a Short Work Break LOA for educational reasons.

I contacted the ERC phone line (option 1 for LOA) and spoke with two different HR reps, both of whom confirmed that I’m eligible for the Educational Short Work Break. I explained that my college semester starts on 8/18/2025, I’ll be attending 3 days a week, and I have two classes — and that’s why I’m requesting the LOA in the first place.

They told me that to move forward, I need to speak with my Site HR ASM by calling the MOD phone, so I did that. I explained the situation to the person who picked up and told them exactly what ERC said. But they told me that since my site is a grocery store, they can’t approve or deny LOAs — and that I need to submit the request through the A to Z app.

Here’s the issue:
Every time I submit the LOA request in the A to Z app, it keeps getting denied.

So I called ERC a third time and asked why I’m being told different things. This time the rep told me that the issue isn’t my employment class (I’m seasonal), but rather my site itself — grocery stores apparently don’t have this option available.

So now I’m stuck. I have school starting soon, I was told I’m eligible for this LOA, but I’m not able to actually take it because of my site. I’m not trying to ghost or no-show, but I also need to prioritize school.

Should I be looking into resignation at this point? Are there any other options or ways around this?

Would really appreciate any advice from anyone who's been through something similar.

Thanks in advance.