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Original poster

Zero notice of annual leave at work

31 replies

Perimenoanti · 22/04/2025 14:45

It happens frequently that I am supposed to cover for a couple of co-workers during their annual leave but I would have no notice of it. I would find out on their first day of leave for example that I am supposed to step in. It has also happened that I was waiting for a piece of work, then chase it in the afternoon and I get 'sorry I am off today, will send over later today'. No out of office notification and it would be for work that's due on that day and could not wait.

A few times I raised it with my boss and she acts like I am the problem. Tbh she is one of the culprits too. She'd be on a business trip Mo-Fri, but will tell me Thursday night or Friday morning to cover for her on the Friday as she will be mid-air. She would have known at the start of the week or even weeks before and could have given me heads up. This is important as I am busy myself, some work can wait and other work cannot and I would plan work differently had I known.

I also feel totally disrespected when they do that and it stresses me out as it's like a bomb is dropping and something urgent is popping up that doesn't need to be urgent.

OP posts:
unlikelychump · 22/04/2025 15:15

Op, do you like working as part of a team?

It is quite normal to keep an eye on your close colleagues calendars, it is only a quick job.

Original poster
Perimenoanti · 22/04/2025 15:06

BananaSpanner · 22/04/2025 14:59

What do you do differently when you go on leave? If you communicate what needs to be done and what will and won’t be available well in advance? If yes, make the suggestion to your boss that everyone does the same outlining how it is helpful and the disadvantages of not doing it.

To be honest though, some people don’t do this stuff because they are quite happy to cope under pressure in the reverse situation.

My boss pulls she same shit. How am I supposed to know she will be mid air when X needs doing. X would take half a day. It's not like I am sitting around have nothing to do half a day so I can jump in for her. It causes a massive issue for me which she won't acknowledge. She acts like it isn't a big deal, but if it isn't a big deal why does she need cover to begin with?

It only really works for disorganised people who don't want to think of anyone but themselves.

OP posts:
Original poster
Perimenoanti · 22/04/2025 15:02

APSSucks · 22/04/2025 14:46

Do they have Outlook calendars that they keep up-to-date? That's a good way of keeping tabs on colleagues who don't tell you when they will be off (though obviously they should).

I don't know. Would I be expected to check every week or even every day if someone will be out tomorrow? I don't really want to do that. Fuck knows when they input their annual leave.

If I will be out and require cover I let the person covering for me know.

OP posts:
BananaSpanner · 22/04/2025 14:59

What do you do differently when you go on leave? If you communicate what needs to be done and what will and won’t be available well in advance? If yes, make the suggestion to your boss that everyone does the same outlining how it is helpful and the disadvantages of not doing it.

To be honest though, some people don’t do this stuff because they are quite happy to cope under pressure in the reverse situation.

Ponderingwindow · 22/04/2025 14:52

It’s hard to say. I work at a place with a very free-rolling structure. No one really covers for me if I am out, unless it is an emergency. I try to inform anyone who is likely to care I will be out, but since our teams form and reform, I can’t really predict that someone I haven’t spoken to in 3 years will decide that a particular day they must talk to me because they have a deadline that day. That is their problem, not mine.

APSSucks · 22/04/2025 14:46

Do they have Outlook calendars that they keep up-to-date? That's a good way of keeping tabs on colleagues who don't tell you when they will be off (though obviously they should).