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AIBU?

to want to know what's happening with work so I can make plans for Christmas?

11 replies

MinesaBottle · 24/11/2014 15:29

I'm temping at the moment and it's going well, my agent is great and I've had plenty of work. I'm up for a role of several months soon which the client anticipates will start around the 16/17 December. I have had to have an interview and am now waiting to hear if they want me for a second interview. My agent has been brilliant checking in with the client about this role but as they're quite busy at the moment they are taking their time deciding and are still interviewing candidates (because they are so busy they are fitting them in where they can).

The thing is, I need to be away at Christmas - my mum is a widow, it's my niece's first Christmas and basically the family are all looking forward to seeing me especially as DH and I are moving overseas next year so this will be my last one in the UK for some time. We don't have a car (and I don't drive) so we would be taking the train and I'd really like some idea of what's happening so I can get on and book the tickets. I've told my agent I'm happy with travelling on the evening of the 23rd (the client is ok with taking Christmas Eve off which is lucky as it's a nightmare to travel and we exchange our presents on Christmas Eve). But still no news. No yes but no no either. If I get it, we can travel on the 23rd, if not then we can go the weekend before Christmas.

WIBU to ask my agent to ask them about holiday dates? I just feel like a right git asking about this before even getting the contract and it's a contract I'd really love, but I'm not prepared to basically put off Christmas for it. I think I'm just feeling a bit fed up atm as some clients do seem to forget that just because one is a temp it doesn't mean one has no personal life or plans! I am known for being flexible and a good worker and I have some clients who use me regularly, they always ask the agency for me, so I don't think I've been lazy or unaccommodating so far. I really don't want to end up staying home with just DH over Christmas because all the train tickets had sold out (I can't afford to just rock up and buy one on the day, they're bad enough in advance) Sad

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MinesaBottle · 24/11/2014 15:51

Oh and they're not open over Christmas (between Christmas and New Year) so coming back isn't a problem.

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museumum · 24/11/2014 15:57

I'd just suck it up and book the train for 23rd. It's a bit rubbish but better than jeopardising a job or ending up with no train ticket.

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coughdrops · 24/11/2014 15:57

I might be picking you up wrong, but are you looking for extra time off if you get the job, a week after starting? So, you want to know if you'll be able to finish up before 23rd? From reading your post, it sounds like they've already said you can have 24th off, so now you're just waiting to hear if you get the job. I don't see how asking about holiday dates would work... surely you're really asking "have I got the job?"

Why can't you just book for 23rd anyway, and resign yourself now to travelling that day, regardless of the job?

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maninawomansworld · 24/11/2014 15:59

It's very common when starting a new job to inform the new employers of any holidays already booked or anything like that.
DW started a new job about 5 years ago and informed her new department that we had a 3 week break booked a few months later over Christmas and New Year ( we went skiing in the Alps). They were fine about it.

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ThinkIveBeenHacked · 24/11/2014 16:02

At second interview you just tell them you already have X Dates booked for a holiday - if they then offer you the job they do so acceptig that.

Justbook the train.

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MinesaBottle · 24/11/2014 16:02

I think that's what I'm going to have to do, I'm happy to go on the 23rd if I have to but I know it'll be busy so I wanted to be able to confirm dates so I can book my train tickets and make sure I get them before they sell out.

I suppose I'm being a bit flouncy, for years I had a permanent job where I could book time off well in advance; with temping it feels like employers expect you not to have any kind of personal life. I'm just getting used to not always know what I'll be doing till a few days before!

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MinesaBottle · 24/11/2014 16:05

If I'm starting on the 16th or so though that week would basically be the handover and I get the impression they wouldn't be too happy about someone coming in for that week then sodding off till the 5th January, even if it does only realistically mean two days off. I haven't been asked if I have anything booked, they just sort of seemed to assume I was going to be free and I don't want to jeopardise it by bringing it up.

I think I'll have to book for the 23rd, better do it tonight!!!

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MinesaBottle · 24/11/2014 16:08

God, I wish there was an edit post function! Sorry! It's a temp role doing maternity cover so as a temp I don't think they'd really care about what I want iyswim - they're not beholden to me, so I can't really announce I have a holiday booked, they'd probably just give the contract to someone who didn't.

Even though I don't currently have anything booked because I've been waiting to hear from them!

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MrsMogginsMinge · 24/11/2014 18:53

Most train companies will let you swap dates on pre-booked tickets for a small fee plus any difference in price. So I would book now for the 23rd - this is the most likely to go up horribly in price, and you know you can go that day come what may. If (when!) you get the job, see how much it would cost to swap to the earlier date (likely to be cheaper than the 23rd) and, if it's not too much/just the admin fee, ask your new employer if you can take the extra days.

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Summerisle1 · 24/11/2014 19:02

I'd just book train tickets at a time to suit you and point out what your availability is. If the contract is lasting several months and the company already closed between Christmas and the New Year, I can't see the tearing hurry in starting it a very few days before Christmas. I'd be surprised if anyone else they might appoint didn't have plans for Christmas anyway and they really aren't likely to choose someone else over you, if you are the best candidate, simply because you are already committed to going away over Christmas.

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MinesaBottle · 24/11/2014 19:19

This is true, I've booked for after work on the 23rd (fingers crossed there are no freak weather events or railway fuck-ups or my brother might have to drive from N Wales to London to pick us up!!) They did say it's pretty much dead around then so if I get the contract I should at least be able to leave on time.

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