To refuse this leave request for first anniversary holiday

[Clockingoff]

A woman in work was married a year ago on Sunday. Her husband surprised her with tickets to New York for St Patrick's day and a few days before and after (I'm in Ireland). The problem is that because it's a holiday time here, a number of staff have already booked days off that week and I really can't afford to let anyone else go without other staff being asked to work overtime (which will eat into the overtime budget.)

The same thing happened for her 30th birthday last year. He booked a surprise holiday to Paris and I got one day's notice that she would need three days off (and we had a large conference during one of those days so I had to 'borrow' someone from another team to cover).

I hate to say no as the tickets have been bought and she's very excited. But on the other hand I'm getting a bit fed up of these surprises that put me and colleagues in a difficult situation.

WIBU to say that due to shortage of staff it's just not possible to approve her leave, and come across as a complete cow.

Personally I would approve it but tell her it's the last time and stick to it

Tell her she can go only if she organises cover?

Hmmmmm, I'm interested by what people think...

Not unreasonable at all. The needs of the business must come 1st. Staffing shouldn't have to cost you more so she can have a last minute break.

I'm a bit at these both being surprise trips away. But then I'm an old cynic.

I think if you do refuse it (and I personally would as she has "form" for this - saying no this time might make her think in future) she is likely to be "sick" on those days and not in anyway.

Do you have a policy that a/l needs to be approved before holidays are booked?

I wouldn't want to grant this either in your position.

It sounds mean but no, YANBU.

Annual leave is at the convenience of the employer so if the service cannot support this member of staff being off then you can refuse. I would however be sure that staff generally are clear about how and when to ask time off and how many people can be off at a given time.

Maybe soften the blow by suggesting you will authorise the leave if someone else will agree to swap with her.

I would say yes to this ont he condition that there are no other leave requests without at least a month's notice (or more if Christmas/holiday time).

I honestly don't believe they're a surprise, i'd not allow it tbh, you've got every reason on your side not to.

She seemed genuinely surprised angelos02, and she's not a devious person. I honestly don't think she knew anything about them before they were booked.

I would remove this post, if she see's it (if true then it would easily be identifiable) and the fact you are asking a mumsnet opinion on a work matter directly affecting her I would imagine HR would have something to say about it...

If she does that Rainbow that's surely at risk of disciplinary territory.

Is there not a HR policy you could follow, or someone in HR you could defer to? Rather than making staff decisions using internet strangers? I understand you don't want to be the bad guy, but I feel weird saying yay or nay about some woman's leave.

Has her do not got the common sense that if he books a surprise he needs to check if she can have the time off.

I'd possibly say no otherwise he'll never stop booking "surprises"

I would take her aside and explain exactly what you've stated here - that these surprises create problems and that she needs to give you more notice in future. That her leave affects others, and means that you face a problem with budgets as a collective. Spell out the practical ramifications.

Let her go this time, but state that next time you may be forced to tell her that she can't take the leave if it happens again - and that this is a risk that isn't worth taking as it would mean that she has to sacrifice her holiday. Make sure she lets her partner know.

You can handle this nicely, and still make the point.

When it happened last time, did you express your annoyance at only getting one days notice? If yes, then I think you would be within your rights to refuse (although I am a soft touch and would probably allow it!). Bit stupid of the husband to go to all that trouble and then not think to alert you - he must be able to get hold of your number/go through the switch board fairly easily?

I'd also, if she goes sick, be asking for drs notes to cover her and/or make it a formal written warning.

I've changed some details Blooming. Also she has no children and Mumsnet isn't as big in Ireland as in the UK so I doubt very much she posts on here.

I would refuse it.

She's already had a "special consideration" last year.
I presume the rest of the team follow the procedures when booking leave?

Not only is it putting you and colleagues in a difficult position, it will start to rile others at the perceived special treatment if you allow another short notice/inconvenient period of leave.

There was another thread just today where someone was going to ring her DH's work to ensure he could get time off for a surprise trip she wanted to arrange for him. That is how this works. You can't just take annual leave at the drop of a hat. Most work places would be chaos if this was the case.

They're relying on the fact the tickets are already bought. Insist in future her DH squares it with you first. She has til what, the 17th of March to find her own cover?

I would never book a holiday without checking both and I my DH could definitely get the time off first. I wouldn't even book flights 6 months in advance without checking. I thought all adults did this. They have set themselves up for a fall. I don't think you should feel forced to give her the leave when others have booked in advance.

I would let her go but with a formal notification that this is absolutely the last time she gets short-notice time off at busy/popular periods, and a fortnight is short-notice for BH weekends.