I work weekends (as well as some weekdays) as part of a small team.
I requested 13th July off months ago, it was approved and today my manager asked me what my plans are, as no one can cover me.
In the past my colleagues have expressed that there's no real incentive to work weekends so they would never do it but where does that leave me? :(
I've been reading online that the employer can absolutely dictate when you take leave but i've also read that colleagues simply not wanting to cover isn't a reasonable reason, it's more if it's an emergency situation/someone's called in sick.
I hardly booked time off on weekends previously so didn't realise this was such an issue until recently.
This happened previously also and as I didn't actually have anything planned (just wanted some time off) I agreed to have it cancelled. Since my colleagues made that comment i'm worrying about the future annual leave i've booked off and had approved too (i've booked and paid for stuff)
Do I have any rights here if the reason is just that no one can cover me? Can my manager argue this under a business need? Or can I argue this as poor management and treating weekend workers unfairly?