To want to use some of our savings to take some time off over the summer holidays?

[D0oinMeCleanin]

I work pretty much every day. Most nights too. I tried to solve this by asking my boss to take on a new member of staff. He agreed. At the time my sister was desperate for a job but was struggling to find work that would fit around her partners shifts for childcare, so I put her forward for the job and agreed to cover her shifts when he was working.

Instead of ending up with less hours, I have more. She was on holiday last week. I covered her shifts. Her DP is working this week so I am covering her shifts. He is off next week and lo and behold they're going away again . I will be covering her shifts.

I won't see my children at all over the holidays at this rate

I told DH I plan on a taking the last week of the summer holidays off, unpaid (we don't get paid holidays - don't ask) and would use some of our savings to subsidise my missing wage.

We can afford it. He would rather use the money to pay off debts that are under control i.e. we are meeting the monthly payments without having to go without anything.

We have a week away booked, which I have off and will be going camping with the kids, but I want more. I want to take them places here and do things with them at home. I want to spend more than 1 week out of 7 with my children. That is more important than credit cards and interest rates, surely?

Yes, I agree with you.

I just don't understand how work is harder when you have help. Surely you can refuse to do extra shifts?

And if you're paid for extra shifts, couldn't you put that money towards time off?

Yes I could but my sister is only a casual worker. If I don't do her shifts he will take on another f/t staff member which would leave her with no shifts. That's why i agreed to do them when she couldn't.

Sounds like you need to sort out your hours and your pay with your boss as much as sorting out money with your husband.

It doesnt sound totally legal to me.

but why are you putting yourself through the mill for your sister? I dont mean to sound uncaring but if she wanted the job that badly she wouldnt be dumping all her shifts onto you for 3 weeks running!

I would be re-thinking the whole arrangement tbh.

So what's more important, your sister and her job, or your family?

You are legally entitled to paid holidays.

Tbh I bet your dh is pissed off about the situation with your sister. If your sister actually did her shifts you wouldn't be as desperate for a week off as you would be seeking your kids.
I can imagine he is not happy about having to miss money because she is taking advantage.
How is it legal to work Most days.

DH is pissed off with the situation with my sister. It's not entirely legal but jobs are scarce and this job fits perfectly with school run/childcare hours so I am not complaining.

I think you should tell your sister to find another job, where you aren't the one picking up all her slack.

Not clear.

Do you mean you are doing extra work for no extra pay?

Yes that is a good point. If you are getting paid for these extra shifts now, can you not save those up in a separate 'pot' to cover a week off later in the summer?

If your boss is willing not to provide proper holidays what else is he forgetting to do? Are you properly insured? I take it from your name it is possibly a cleaning job. Does he cut corners with the chemicals you use. It seems your boss and your sister are taking advantage and you are overworking yourself.

I do not think your DH is being unreasonable to want to pay more than the minimum on debts as that leaves them hanging over you for ages. I think if you want to continue in your job you need to tell your sister you cannot pick up all the shifts to protect the work she does when she fancies.

You will burn yourself out and your family will suffer.

Your sister is taking the piss IMO.

She gets to swan about whilst she knows you'll pick up the flack.

Will she be doing this at half term, Christmas and Easter?

I'll be getting paid for the extra shifts. I wanted to use that money for a couple of day trips in my week off.

I only wanted around £100 or so to cover basic costs during the week I have no pay (pet food, people food, tid bits etc)

why did you get your sister the job when she's go so many holidays booked?

do you feel you need to look after her?

TBH I don't think she wants to work

but you do, and good on you for working around the kids

look after yourself and let your boss get someone else in to cover the shifts your sister cant be arsed with

OP Norma has a v.good point about your sister. If she is going to drop shifts like this frequently, you will end up working extra hours just at the times you don't want to.

You have far more loyalty towards your sister than she has for you
Wrt to the holiday; definitely go for it. Why should your kids miss out on time with you just to put a bit more money in the pot that you can manage without?