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Original poster

Asking for help because I had planned to take some leave over Easter

31 replies

Youlookfamilar · 16/03/2025 07:00

My team is Team Y and we sit in dept Z.

A colleague in dept Z is going on leave for 2.5 weeks during Easter. The head of dept Z, my manager’s manager, has asked me to cover the colleague’s work. I said yes but after speaking to the colleague, I realised the bulk of the work would be during the Easter half term break. I had planned to take 4-5 days off during April to look after my children.

Would it be reasonable to ask my manager for someone else to be assigned to help me and cover for the days when I am on leave.

My team is very understaffed. Two people have left in the past month so everyone is extremely overworked.

OP posts:
Original poster
Youlookfamilar · 16/03/2025 07:06

BallerinaRadio · 16/03/2025 07:01

Why on earth would you say yes without checking the dates first? Especially in April.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to ask but you've put yourself in an awkward position

It wasn’t made clear to me when she would be going, it was just in April. I have never spoke to her before, so didn’t realise she was going on holiday during half term.

After speaking to her to understand what I need to cover it became clear her work needed to be completed at set deadlines. As soon as I found out, I told my manager.

OP posts:
Glittertwins · 16/03/2025 07:04

Get your leave request in asap

LegoAirlines · 16/03/2025 07:04

Have you already booked your leave & had it approved? If so, you were a bit silly not to check first but YANBU.

If you haven't already booked it, be prepared for it not to be approved because you’re now doing this work.

luckylavender · 16/03/2025 07:03

Why haven't you already booked your time off? And Easter isn't half term.

HuskyNew · 16/03/2025 07:02

Not unreasonable but you need to get your annual leave in what ever system you use asap.

BallerinaRadio · 16/03/2025 07:01

Why on earth would you say yes without checking the dates first? Especially in April.

It wouldn't be unreasonable to ask but you've put yourself in an awkward position