to be annoyed that dh's new job has only just told him no holidays to be taken at christmas?

[Hhhmmmmm]

Am I being silly to think this was a big enough detail to mention at interview? Dh had two job offers to choose between and struggled to make a decision as they were very equal; this would have been a deal breaker had we known. Is it common practice? Or was it up to us/him to think of anything to ask at interview that would be a deal breaker?

I don't think this kind of thing is ever mentioned at interview.

It's fairly common, although in my experience most places just put in place a rota so there is cover all the time, so each employee is only covering one day or whatever.

Yabu if Christmas is that important to you he should have asked.

Most places do a rota unless they are a Father Christmas production company or some organisation very busy at Christmas and you'd expect in a new job that the new people get last chance of Christmas leave.

Is it healthcare, police, fire or emergency services?

Depending on the field of work, very common. Why didn't he ask? YABU.

YABU. Why on earth would this be a 'deal breaker'? He'll get the bank holidays, surely? Why would you expect anything more?

I think it depends on the role. Was it reasonable to expect that the office would be closed at Xmas? Or is he a paramedic, in which case 24/7 rotas would be in effect?

FWIW, I looked into a job once (internal transfer) and the job description made it very clear that there was an expectation of Xmas/holiday working.

He's a computer programmer. In a large team that writes a website for a retail company. So Christmas is a peak time, I get that. He didn't think to ask because he would have expected a rota or system to make sure enough people are in to cover unexpected issues and make sure everybody who wanted to book time off at Christmas got a turn (not the same people year on year). Not a blanket ban.

The deal breaker part was referring to the fact that as the two jobs he was choosing between were neck and neck; this detail would have tipped him in favour of the other job.

Yanbu to be annoyed about it
Yabvu however to expect in retail that he would be allowed holiday.
It is standard practice,in my company there is a blanket ban from sales floor through to director,as it should be.
As a previous poster said if it was a dealbreaker for him he should have asked.
My Xmas consists of setting up the sale Xmas eve,Xmas day off and in early boxing day for first day of sale-non negotiable in my position,its shit.

Is it specified as such in his contract?

You could perhaps take comfort from the fact that the other job might have had a similar ban in place!

As an nhs worker I really don't see the big issue with working at Christmas.

You just plan your Christmas around work.

This year I am in all over Christmas, so presents and dinner ect will be done when I get home.

He can't have christmas day off?

I interview all the time but would never occur to me to discuss the christmas rota arrangements in an interview- but we are healthcare so the chances are- someone will be expected to work

That sounds pretty common for retail. It goes with the industry I'm afraid. I presume he'll be able to have Chrstmas Day off or will he be needed to support online shopping etc.

Slightly confused myself LunaticFringe! From what we can tell so far it's any time in December/new year. There hasn't be any form of induction to be clearer (end of week two) which is a whole other issue.

Thanks southbank, that's really helpful. He has previously worked in another massive retail company where the rota thing worked. I guess that was the exception not the norm then and we will be wary to ask another time. It was also nice of you to say yanbu to be annoyed although yabvu to expect. Put it perspective for me

Yes do you know why this is? Because whatever rota system you put in place some people always think it is their right to have leave at Christmas and somebody else will just have to cover the service and they make their managers lives miserable accordingly. A blanket ban sounds good to me. So you have to stay at home at Christmas. Worse things happen at sea. If dh is so desirable to employers he better get his CV out there and look for another offer.

Lol!I totally get the frustration of not being able to have Xmas off and have family time,especially when in retail we are just selling that image of family enjoying time together etc
I have had one Xmas off in 15 years,and I was on bloody mat leave at the time waiting for my twins to arrive,as big as a house,unable to drink,and more exhausted than I would have been normally if I was working !

why did he not ask if it so significant?
you just adjust to accomodate it
at least it not shift or on call work,still regular hours and bank holiday

Is it an option to tell the new employer he has pre-booked holiday at Christmas? Most large organisations will accommodate new starters with prior holiday commitments.

Where I work we have a rota, people who didn't get the time off last year are the priority, then people with young children or those who have to travel to see family. Works for us.

Depends on the job, but if it is a major issue he should've asked before he committed.

If he gets the bank holidays then yes YABU but if working bank holidays in an office based job the employer probably should've made it clearer