If your teens work, do you book holidays with them before or after...

[BrainOutsourced]

They ask for leave?

Teen employee seems surprised leave was denied. Parents apparently booked their holiday for half term and both teen and parents just expected us to say yes. Teen is now saying but Parents have already booked it! As if that's a reason we have to allow it!

Do parents not realise their teens job has the same leave expectations as their own job? It needs approval, notice and can be denied due to business need (ie half term being the busier) or too many people being off already.

If they're a 16-18 year old at school themselves then school holidays are the only times they are able to take leave and have an actual break from school work and working for you.

Teenagers do have lots of energy and good stamina but do also need time to rest and recuperate.

So, yes I'd be a bit annoyed with the expectation they can take leave whenever they like, but I would understand that if they want to have an actual holiday with their family they will prioritise that over their 8 hour a week job.

My DS18 has a 12 hour a week job while doing his A levels. I've just booked our main summer holiday but would never have thought to check he can get leave first. He'll request the leave at some point and if they won't grant it he will take unpaid leave or just resign. It's just a weekend job though - if it were an apprenticeship we'd check first but I think by then he won't be wanting to come on a family holiday anyway.