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AIBU?

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Original poster

(Work related) for wanting to use my AL for childcare?

107 replies

OneGlamMama · 12/07/2024 21:46

I am a single mum.

I put in my annual leave request for the summer holidays around a month ago to my new manager who had started two weeks prior.

He told me he would look into and get back to me.
I had requested for Monday to Wednesday off each week for the five week holiday. (Ten days of holiday to use as I have Mondays off anyway)
This was denied last week.

I compromised and said I would take Monday and Tuesday off each week instead. Also denied.

I then followed up with how about I use two half days on Tuesday and Wednesday. Also denied.

I asked why and was told that we are thin on the ground, my role is too important to lose me this much in a week, that childcare wasn't a good enough reason for AL, that I could take a week off but not one day each week, etc.

I've been told to put in a flexi working request for a temporary change of five weeks!

AIBU to lose my cool with this?!

OP posts:
Lostmymarblesalongtimeago · 12/07/2024 21:57

I couldn't imagine many workplaces agreeing to it. It's an awful lot of time off in the Summer when presumably colleague also requested time off. Is there no what to use childcare? There are 13 weeks school holiday per annum so it isn't really sustainable in any case through the year.

Not sure what a flex request would achieve as this would constitute a permanent change to your contract and you need to wait 12 months until you could make another request.

Blackboxbetty · 12/07/2024 21:57

My work let's me do this, I have an official flexible working request approved to halve my working hours in school holidays and work full time in term time. So some work places do allow this. I'm senior and manage a team/ big projects, but not client facing.

What is your role / responsibilities? Does it impact clients or colleagues for you to be away a couple of days a week or can you still get what you need to get done?

toomanytonotice · 12/07/2024 21:56

What about your colleagues? If we had someone take two days off a week over the summer it would mean no one else could have those days. So no one else could have a full week/two weeks for a proper holiday.

I get their point tbh. Many people will want time off in the school break so much fairer if everyone has a chunk so they can go away if they wish.

i’d be so pissed off if our bosses allowed a colleague to basically block me from having enough a/l for a holiday.

Beezknees · 12/07/2024 21:55

I used to do this. At my work it's first come first served with holidays, I always put mine in early.

CoastalCalm · 12/07/2024 21:52

Yeah I think it’s unreasonable as it may mean others can’t take a week off

jclm · 12/07/2024 21:52

Can you request unpaid parental leave for some of the summer? Need to ask 21 days in advance I think so you may still have time

gamerchick · 12/07/2024 21:50

I couldn't imagine any workplace agreeing to that. A week definitely but not every week for 5. Would be a right ballache for other people wanting time off over the summer.