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Original poster

Would you do this at work?

186 replies

RapunzelsRealMom · 06/02/2020 20:24

Just a poll really to see if I’m in the minority or not...

If you are relatively serious about your job, not senior but in a responsible role, and you have booked annual leave at work but, at that time, you end up sick , would you bother to ‘reclaim’ the sick days so that you can use the annual leave at a later date?

OP posts:
olderthanilookapparently · 06/02/2020 20:24

No I wouldn't

RandomMess · 06/02/2020 20:25

Yes because I only get 20 days of choice per year...

Winterfellismyhome · 06/02/2020 20:25

Yes I would

KnifeAngel · 06/02/2020 20:26

No it's tough luck.

BackToBackTheyFaced · 06/02/2020 20:26

Mine specifically doesn’t allow that. Work doesn’t compensate you cause you were ill on holiday.

RandomMess · 06/02/2020 20:28

I would have to be properly ill though btw.

I worked somewhere that you couldn't be off sick and then use annual leave without returning in between so that you couldn't cover up ill health by using AL...

alwaysmovingforwards · 06/02/2020 20:28

No it's tough luck.
If any of my staff turned up after annual leave saying they were sick during it and could they have the days back... I'd laugh, say no and make a mental note that they're either a piss taker or lack professional judgement. And then watch them more carefully to ascertain which of the two it is.

SimonJT · 06/02/2020 20:29

Yes, I have done several times, if a company didn’t like it they would take it out of their annual leave policy.

Ilikewinter · 06/02/2020 20:30

I would only do that if I was signed off by the doctor prior to my holiday, if it was just a cold etc then no.

Hefzi · 06/02/2020 20:30

No. And I'm usually ill when I have AL.

In my case, there's also little point, since I lose about five days every year as I don't have time to take them. (I refuse to book leave when I know in advance that the timing means I'll need to work)

My job has other perks - but being able to take money in lieu of leave, or carrying over more than five days, aren't among them!

theemmadilemma · 06/02/2020 20:30

Not in general no.

But I've approved it when someone has specifically asked to change it.

FuzzyAtmosphere · 06/02/2020 20:31

Yes, I would and an employee is legally entitled to do so (as long as they advise at the time).

shemakesmewaitonabedofnails · 06/02/2020 20:32

I haven't, but we are encouraged to do so (big professional firm). The logic is that we need our people to relax and recover from work, and if they are ill during their holiday, they can't do so, so therefore we still want them to take holiday.

Batqueen · 06/02/2020 20:32

Depends on the situation. If I was sick enough to not be able to go on a booked holiday eg ended up in bed with flu so couldn’t catch a flight then absolutely! I will need that time back and rebook the holiday. However I’ve often been sick over Christmas which was already booked off and not claimed anything back.

SomeHalfHumanCreatureThing · 06/02/2020 20:33

I have done, but my booked leave fell right in the middle of what ended up being three weeks off sick (pneumonia). Was fine, as I had fit notes for the whole time.

If I'd not taken it as sick leave I wouldn't have been able to rebook the very needed holiday later in the year.

CoffeeCoinneseur · 06/02/2020 20:38

I probably wouldn't.

If I did I'd have to had been quite ill, like admitted to hospital or broke a limb or so ill I was unable to travel on a planned holiday... but a cold or stomach bug for example, then no.

Bluntness100 · 06/02/2020 20:39

No of course not.

Blazerdilema · 06/02/2020 20:39

If I wanna a hospital level I'll yes. Otherwise now I would crack on with my leave

slashlover · 06/02/2020 20:39

Depends what you mean by sick. In hospital, seriously ill with a doctors note etc. yes. A cold or a sickness bug etc. then no.

7Worfs · 06/02/2020 20:40

How ill? If you had to cancel a holiday then maybe. If no plans were ruined, then no.

Stompythedinosaur · 06/02/2020 20:41

I only would if I was on a long period of sick leave with a doctor's note.

Original poster
RapunzelsRealMom · 06/02/2020 20:42

So quite a balanced response.

Our organisation doesn't mention this in any policies but I went on the ACAS website and, yes, it seems it's a legal right.

I did approve this, but as a PP said, she's really gone down in my estimations (especially as she had annual leave left to carry through to next year!).

It's never crossed my mind to do this. I think it really shows the employee in a poor light, especially if they are serious about their career.

OP posts:
Wearywithteens · 06/02/2020 20:42

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

AliceLutherNeeMorgan · 06/02/2020 20:43

My work has this in its policy. You do have to provide a fit note from the GP so I imagine it puts people off for just a day or so of sickness

Kelsoooo · 06/02/2020 20:44

Some people on this thread are acting illegally.

It specifically states on gov.uk that you can take it as sick leave instead of AL. And if an employee requests it, you can't refuse it.

That being said, unless it was hospital admission level of sick, it's never entered my head.

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