How would you word this re Christmas holidays at work

[applestamper]

Christmas holiday arrangements are being finalised in my workplace and I am feeling very hard done by. It’s a large organisation with strict HR policies that are not being followed in this instance, and I could certainly do better if I kicked up a fuss. However, my sister and her family live abroad; they are hoping to return to the UK for Christmas 2022, so my plan is to take what I’ve been given this year and then ask for a better deal next year. I want to send an email to my boss saying that I am happy to oblige him with Christmas arrangements this year, as I did last year, and that I hope that will be taken into consideration next year. I want to word it pleasantly, but also assertively, as he is someone who will only treat people reasonably if he is slightly afraid of them. How would you word it?

How much time are you looking for next Christmas?
How far out of your HR policy would the requested time be?
Would the current breaches be an advantage to your future request?
How soon can you apply for next year's holiday sign off, as in can you leverage what's happening to get your 2022 holidays sorted?

Thanks for your response!
I'll be looking for a fortnight next year, the 19th - 30th December. That's not out of HR policy at all. Its just that one of my small section has to work up to the 23rd and again for couple of days between Christmas and New Year. I worked last year and am now expected to do it again this year, so I want it noted this year that I am obliging on the understanding that it will work to my advantage next year. I need to check when I can apply for next year, but I applied last May for this year, and I still haven't gotten it, hence HR policies being breached!

Explain briefly the family arrangements next year tell him exactly this I am happy to oblige him with Christmas arrangements this year, as I did last year, and that I hope that will be taken into consideration next year. then follow by outlining how much time you wish to take next year.
Keep it brief, factual and to the point. End with something about commitment to the role and company if you like, but if its demonstrated through your work and attitude its probably unnecessary. Bosses don't generally like emotive or wordy requests.

Hi X,

After applying for Christmas leave in line with HR policy in May of this year, I am scheduled to work on X dates over Christmas. This is the second year in a row I will be working over the Christmas break and, which it should be mentioned, is against XYZ policy.

I am more than happy to be flexible and oblige the Christmas leave arrangements on this occasion to support the team, but I would like to ensure that in light of this, I am given the Christmas break in 2022.

I’d like to apply for that now and have it approved as soon as possible according to our HR policy so that I can make plans which involve seeing family based overseas.

Can you please confirm if this arrangement works for you? Please let me know if you’d like to discuss.

Many thanks,

applestamper spell out politely but very clearly exactly which dates you're working this year and worked last year and that in light of the HR policy "[ quote relevant paragraph]" you are confident that your goodwill in working these dates two years in a row will be taken into consideration for 2022 when you'd would appreciate x dates free to accommodate family visiting from abroad.

Copy in HR if you want the big guns out...

Thanks for all the responses!
Reading them has clarified my mind somewhat, I don't want to specify that I want Christmas off next year for family reasons (even though I do), as I don't feel that I should have to have family visiting in order to have Christmas off as regularly as anyone else, and I will expect my share of Christmases off on an ongoing basis (including next year)
I really like the line that I am confident my goodwill in working these dates two years in a row will be taken into consideration, so I'm going to use that.

What @Allsorts1 wrote is great

And because I have to edit 🤷🏼‍♀️

"is against not in accordance with XYZ policy."

Just a little more subtle if HR is involved in signing off holidays it removes a need to allocate blame too early.