To book a holiday before telling work?

@Buddythecat1 You are technically correct that you can book holidays without asking your manager first.

Your application for leave for those dates may or may not be approved.

Is this manager the one who decides if an application for leave is approved or not?

Because if they are, they might be capable of denying you leave for those dates just to make a point.

Probably best not to argue with your manager over a technicality.

It’s normal practice to ask first. Not sure how your holiday is done but ours is seniority, and if the same grade length of time at that grade. First two weeks done, then next week, then 4th week. Only two off so you don’t book a holiday without agreeing it at work, however far away it is

Your employer can deny a holiday request. This doesn’t need to be set out in your contract or the company policies.

Alway refer to Acas with employment questions: https://www.acas.org.uk/checking-holiday-entitlement/asking-for-and-taking-holiday

It’s very far away, so it’s not unreasonable for them to say they can’t confirm resourcing needs at that time. Your manager is being pernickety though and should be reasonable in giving you priority for that particular period.

I had the exact conversation with my team earlier “check the team leave calendar before booking holidays, there are a number of weeks in July and August that are already full”.

Yes, this exactly. Common sense as well as awareness of others! How would it work if everyone just assumed they could take leave when it suited them?!

I've always booked a holiday and then booked off my annual leave - never the other way round. That's been for if it's a few months away too, never mind the massive 16 months you're saying! 😊

My manager operates a strict 1 person on annual leave at a time policy in the name off 'minimum staffing levels'.

He's end up creating more problems than he solves. People have booked their holiday anyway and resign with notice period to coincide with the hol date.

Then manager has to recruit, wait for new person to be able to start, then training time equals 3 months staff shortage as opposed to allowing 1 additional person on hol for 2 weeks 😂

Anyone married to a teacher?

I'm with to OP, seems like they're being arsey for the sake of it given how far away it is.

I always have a cursory look at the leave chart before I book. And then request the leave. 16 months away is fine, think your manager just wanted to rain on your parade tbh.

I manage 2 nurses who are both getting married next year .. one in April the other October

Although I cannot approve their leave officially yet , I have pencilled both into the leave calendar and they will be the priority

Things like this would be the only problem you have
As soon as your policy allows .. book the AL in the correct manner and all should be fine

No its not 🤦🏼‍♀️

We can book up to 12 months in advance online but can let manager know if you have more notice so he can pencil it in.
A lot depends on the manager, the one we have now is lovely but we have had some who liked to say no for the fun of it.

That's just bad phrasing. You can book anything g you like but your leave might be declined so not really worth the risk. In my job I definitely couldn't do it that way round as I'm part of a team of 20 with only 2 allowed off at one given time (obviously illness etc are different). It's standard practice.

@TheThinkingGoblin My company has various departments. Customer Service for example, there's 7 of them in that team. If you were our customer, I imagine you'd be royally pissed off to call with a query and be told they'd all gone on annual leave so nobody could help. Of course they can't all just waltz off together whenever they feel like it. They have a maximum of two off at a time (unless there are extenuating circumstances, compassionate leave etc).

I'm genuinely amazed that you think they could, and that your view of the working world is apparently so narrow that you can't imagine how anyone other than medical professionals might be required to keep a business afloat, or organisation running.

Bizarre.

@TheThinkingGoblin

There are other critical professions other than medical! I don't think you would like it if nobody covered me and you needed my specialty, bit of a niche area but it is one we'll nearly all need once

@TheThinkingTheThinkingGoblin , whilst my job isn't a 'professional" one, more highly skilled worker status, only 2 in the same role of 20 can be off at one time. We can not operate with lower levels of staffing and would lose money and customers. No its not a life and death (strange comment?) situation but its the rules and nope it's not illegal

It's 100% NOT illegal.

How do you think teachers manage?

It's always wise to tentatively book at work if you have the kind of workplace you can't double up on holidays. Then confirm it as soon as the holiday is booked

You're wrong @TheTheThinkingGoblin , unfortunately 😔

Who do you think you are?

Are only "medical professionals" important? Given some of the shit jobs this in encompasses that's laughable.

There are MANY jobs and professions that have life altering/severe ramifications.