To think it doesn’t really matter!!!!

BendingSpoons · 24/09/2026 15:13

If your colleague is genuinely happy to cover, I don't see it matters. Your manager might be jealous if they can't be off, but that wouldn't change if you worked. Is there a chance your job share colleague isn't actually happy or that your manager thinks she isn't happy? I'd suggest your manager checks with your colleague, and if she is still happy then hopefully that's that.

GoodGirlFaith · 24/09/2026 15:17

The way I read this suggests that you are checking with your job share first that they can cover, before requesting the time off. I may have misunderstood this.

Wherever I have worked, annual leave requests always have to go to the manager first. I don't think it's right to approach a colleague first to ask if they would like to cover as they may feel obligated to say yes to you (as you have children).

Depending of what kind of shop it is, the manager may wish to have the option of having additional staffing in the weeks leading up to Christmas, as it's generally a busy time.

Original poster

onewayanyway · 24/09/2026 15:21

BendingSpoons · 24/09/2026 15:13

If your colleague is genuinely happy to cover, I don't see it matters. Your manager might be jealous if they can't be off, but that wouldn't change if you worked. Is there a chance your job share colleague isn't actually happy or that your manager thinks she isn't happy? I'd suggest your manager checks with your colleague, and if she is still happy then hopefully that's that.

I will check but there’s genuinely no pressure to cover as we have relief staff to call upon

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Julynian · 24/09/2026 15:21

Yes a pp says, there’s a big possibility that your coworker isn’t as happy as you think, but feels obliged every year because you talk about your kids and childcare. FWIW, not having kids doesn’t mean you don’t celebrate Christmas or don’t have plans on Christmas Eve!
It’s also possible your manager wants some time off too despite being “also older”. They may also find that arranging temporary relief cover at Christmas is quite expensive.
Why don’t you try one year, to say to your coworker and manager, that you will wait until they have chosen what days they want off first before you book yours?

Original poster

onewayanyway · 24/09/2026 15:22

GoodGirlFaith · 24/09/2026 15:17

The way I read this suggests that you are checking with your job share first that they can cover, before requesting the time off. I may have misunderstood this.

Wherever I have worked, annual leave requests always have to go to the manager first. I don't think it's right to approach a colleague first to ask if they would like to cover as they may feel obligated to say yes to you (as you have children).

Depending of what kind of shop it is, the manager may wish to have the option of having additional staffing in the weeks leading up to Christmas, as it's generally a busy time.

True, I asked because my manager often doesn’t offer cover to my job share first (even though she is supposed to ) so co worker asked me to mention any holidays I book.

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Original poster

onewayanyway · 24/09/2026 15:30

Julynian · 24/09/2026 15:21

Yes a pp says, there’s a big possibility that your coworker isn’t as happy as you think, but feels obliged every year because you talk about your kids and childcare. FWIW, not having kids doesn’t mean you don’t celebrate Christmas or don’t have plans on Christmas Eve!
It’s also possible your manager wants some time off too despite being “also older”. They may also find that arranging temporary relief cover at Christmas is quite expensive.
Why don’t you try one year, to say to your coworker and manager, that you will wait until they have chosen what days they want off first before you book yours?

Co worker wouldn’t be working Xmas Eve unless she covers for me. Manager can only get time off if another manager is free (which is harder) Co worker often complains manager doesn’t offer her my cover . It’s a chain - wages are the same on every shop , relief get a little more than us as they don’t get holiday pay but all shops use them for annual leave /sickness. Manager can not recruit extra staff it’s always one staff member and the manager unless we are running an event but upper management decide if we need extra staff.

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Timeforachange26 · 24/09/2026 16:36

onewayanyway · 24/09/2026 15:03

I work in a shop thurs- sat as I have young kids. Theres one manager (full time) and my job share who does Tuesday/Wednesday (we close Sunday/Monday)
At Christmas we close 25th Dec to 1st Jan . I often book the week before Xmas off as it’s easier for childcare and to give my self a bit of a longer break. My job share often covers as she likes extra shifts or the manager arranges relief cover. This year Xmas Eve is Thursday so I’ve only requested Thursday off, I’ checked with other staff member and she’s happy to cover . (She’s older and no kids so no plans on Xmas Eve. ) My manager has pulled me aside and said it’s not really fair I’m always off at Xmas but I’m only off if someone agrees to cover. My co worker is happy to but if she didn’t want to and we couldn’t get relief it would be denied. There’s no pressure to cover here. My manager could only book it off if another manager could cover but she never does (also older) .
Aibu to think as long as someone is happy to cover it shouldn’t matter whether I work or not?!!

Id she wants to work it then fine. Not so keen on the assumption that because she's older and does y have kids it's less important for her

Original poster

onewayanyway · 24/09/2026 16:57

I’ve just checked our messages it went -
Me - “hey (some irrelevant chat) I’m looking at booking 24/12 off would you want to cover or are you not bothered ?”
co worker - “ yes please “

im fairly confident she’s happy to cover.

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