Advice please! Re asking for annual leave when starting a new job.

[Sunflowers2811]

I'm starting a new job in just over a month. I need to book a week of annual leave in 6 months time when I will have been in my new job for 5 months. So what would you do...

1. Ask new manager now for the annual leave now before I start

1. Wait until a few weeks before I start and when I drop in for a visit a couple of weeks before I start ask them then

1. Wait until I've started the new job in just over a month (this option gives her the least amount of notice whilst still giving her about 4 and a half months notice)

I want to give her the most amount of notice as I'm asking for annual leave but I don't want her to think "this employee has only just started and she's already asking for time off" whilst I know I am entitled to annual leave obviously I want to make a good initial impression.

Advice please.

[CrazyCatLady159]

I normally tell the new job I have annual leave booked on such a date - then then honour it

[ChillyB]

Tell them you already have it booked with current job. Most places honour existing holiday bookings.

[AlwaysOverworkedUnderpaid]

Tell them in the first week - it is SO far away there’s no reason to stress at all! I thought this post would be about leave happening in a couple of weeks!

[Sunflowers2811]

But if I wasn't doing that don't you have to tell them at the interview?

[Sunflowers2811]

I know it's a long way away but I have terrible anxiety and it's a really important family holiday, hence why I want to get sorted.

[RavenLG]

Just tell them as soon as possible. I would have mentioned it when I accepted the job offer / returned the contract. I’ve done this before it’s never been an issue.

[FredaFox]

The longer you leave it the more chances of someone else having your week off
Ask them soon
Did you check if they have any holiday embargo’s or rules in place( eg only 1 off at a time or Niobe off at busy periods?)

[FredaFox]

Noone damn phone 🤣

[cometothinkofit]

Did they ask you during your interview whether you already had holiday booked?

[Sunflowers2811]

No they didn't ask when I had my interview

[Sunflowers2811]

The date for the holiday has just been finalised yesterday.

[Crawley65]

I’ve always mentioned pre-booked holidays before starting a new job.

[MegBusset]

Congrats on the new job :)

I have just been in exactly the same situation. I would email the line manager sometime between now and your starting date saying something along the lines of:

"Hi, I'm excited to be joining the team on . It just occurred to me that I have a family holiday in which I booked a while ago - obviously will go through the holiday approval process once in post but thought I'd mention it now. Please do let me know if there might be any problem with this."

[Sunflowers2811]

I haven't booked it yet. My family have been debating where/when to go and the details have just been finalised. So I couldn't have let her know any sooner.

[Sunflowers2811]

@MegBusset thank you. How did you get on in the same situation?

[lljkk]

Some big employers have inflexible policies. Have you had info about their annual leave policy, yet? I'm sure someone told me about his new employer who allowed no leave at all for first 6months. What kind of employer is yours?

[squee123]

just let them know now. Honestly can't imagine it will be a problem.

[Sunflowers2811]

Okay good. So if you were (or are) an employer you wouldn't think "ffs she's not even started and she's already asking for time off"?

[squee123]

not at all. Would be far more annoying as an employer if you took all your annual leave bunched up at the end because you didn't want to take it until you'd been there ages or gave short notice.

I mean this nicely, but you're over thinking it a bit. Just pop them an email to say how much you're looking forward to starting and say you're due to go on a family holiday on X date so wanted to check whether that is okay now so as to give as much notice as possible. Most people that start new jobs have pre-existing holidays. I've never mentioned it at interview or had people I've interviewed mention it to me. It's always been sorted between offer and starting.

[WhatWouldTheDoctorDo]

Honestly, just tell them now, it'll be fine. I'd expect someone to be taking holidays within 5 months of starting anyway!

[LIZS]

It would be unusual not to take leave for 6 months. Ask now so it is well in advance and not hanging over your start.

[Sunflowers2811]

Thanks @squee123 I am absolutely awful at overthinking things (something I'm currently working on!) so it is very likely that I am overthinking this. I do in most situations! Thank you for your help and thanks everyone.