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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think this is unbelievably cheeky? (but really wish I'd thought of doing it!)

49 replies

didireallyjusthearthat · 07/08/2015 10:20

Colleague called the boss this morning, just before she was due to start her shift, and said 'since it's such a nice day, can I take the day off?'

WTF? Seriously? That's how it works?

So here I am, coped up in a stuffy office, hugely pregnant, exhausted and warm, while she's off enjoying the sun because she was cheeky enough to call into work and ask for the day off!

I'm clearly some kind of idiot for not thinking of doing that myself aren't I!?

OP posts:

kali110 · 07/08/2015 10:21

She seriously got the day off for doing that???

MaidOfStars · 07/08/2015 10:22

Is she taking it as holiday?

Original poster

didireallyjusthearthat · 07/08/2015 10:25

I assume he will put it down as a holiday...I bloody well hope so anyway!

OP posts:

Salmotrutta · 07/08/2015 10:26

Surely she has taken it as annual leave?

In which case it is fair enough if the boss agreed and her work isn't on a deadline.

It's not "cheeky" to take annual leave on an ad hoc basis as long as you can be spared.

pippistrelle · 07/08/2015 10:26

I can't see a problem with it. She and her boss know her workload for the day and if it can wait, and the boss knows if there are enough colleagues due in. She's using her annual leave allowance, not getting a free day off. Flexibility is a good thing, surely?

Aramynta · 07/08/2015 10:26

I have a feeling this is second hand information? Maybe she has a problem and the boss is being discreet on her behalf.

Just a thought. I've had to do it before.

wafflyversatile · 07/08/2015 10:27

She applied for a day off and she got it.

Original poster

didireallyjusthearthat · 07/08/2015 10:31

She called him on his mobile while I was sat next to him so heard the whole conversation, her side as well was his, so I know it's nothing to do with being discreet.

I think I'm just shocked as my contract states I have to give 2 weeks written notice to have a day off/holiday, unless it's due to sickness.

OP posts:

LurkingHusband · 07/08/2015 10:35

One of those dreadful US ideas a "duvet day".

Personally, I think they are on balance a good thing, if they're practical. At the most basic level, they are simply a few days holiday a year you take at no notice.

Pumpkinette · 07/08/2015 10:36

I used to work somewhere like that. If the numbers allowed then you could phone in the morning and take the day as holiday leave. We could also ask for a half day for the afternoon. If at 11am you decided you fancied the afternoon off then you usually got it (depending on numbers). It was a great place to work - we also had flexi time.

Original poster

didireallyjusthearthat · 07/08/2015 10:39

Pumpkinette that sounds like a lovely place to work!!

I'm just being bitter coz I'm jealous! I want to be off and sleeping the day away!

OP posts:

Pippa12 · 07/08/2015 10:39

We can do this in my job if we want. I wouldn't get upset about it- it will be annual leave and I'm more than sure you get your annual leave too. Just be glad for her and think of your months maternity leave in the very near future!

PeppermintInfusion · 07/08/2015 10:42

Most contracts say something like 2 weeks' notice/twice the amount of notice for the no of days requested but in practice I've only worked one place that actually enforced this.

RunningJumpingClimbingTrees · 07/08/2015 10:53

My work can be pretty flexible for taking a half day on the day etc but probably would be a bit irritated if phoned in minutes before supposed to be in. I have a good relationship with my manager so I would maybe try contacting her when my alarm went off to see if she would mind but would not be surprised if was a no.

If both happy about work levels etc then it is not really an issue though

MaidOfStars · 07/08/2015 11:05

It's not a problem for my husband to take holidays on the actual day I don't have set hours so don't need to bother informing anyone

So now you know this is possible, you could try it next time!

MaxPepsi · 07/08/2015 11:05

I used to be able to do this in my last job.

I was part of a team, but the only one located at a specific office. It was therefore practically impossible for them to refuse me leave and I took full advantage of that fact.

My co workers in the same office couldn't care less - I didn't do the same work as them. And my team based at Head Office couldn't care less either as it didn't have an impact.

I don't miss that job at all but I do miss the flexibility!

SaulGood · 07/08/2015 11:09

DH could never do this as he's the boss but his staff do this sometimes. In fact one sent him a text on Sunday and said 'mind if I have tomorrow off boss, weather looks good and we fancy a day at the beach'. DH sent back a cheery 'no problem, see you Tuesday'.

I think it's a very good way to work tbh. As far as I can tell, it makes everybody happier, more relaxed and they work much harder because they're not so desperate for down time.

Original poster

didireallyjusthearthat · 07/08/2015 11:12

It's really nice to hear how many employers seem to be flexible on days off/holidays when they are needed.

I think whats irritated me in this situation is that we're such a small team, that when someone has a day off, 25% of the workforce is gone, which is why management usually take the '2 weeks notice for holidays' policy so seriously here.

Also, I'm so exhausted at the moment with being pregnant and suffering from anemia that I have been so tempted to call in and ask for a day off, but I haven't because a) I didn't want to let the rest of the team down, and b) I didn't think tiredness is a good enough excuse for a day off (Yet good weather clearly is!)

OP posts:

BoredAdminGirl · 07/08/2015 12:44

I could never ever do this, however I have often asked on the Thursday if I can take the Friday off simply because the weather is nice. They can only say no!

nocabbageinmyeye · 07/08/2015 12:53

I did this last winter, i rang my boss and said I wanted to build a snowman with my dd's, we never get snow, my boss said no problem "that's what it's all about" is what he actually said, i gave dd the day off school and had a great day, although I do appreciate how lucky I am with my boss, he didn't take it from my annual leave either

Minicaters · 07/08/2015 13:00

OP ask for Monday Off and enjoy a long weekend!

Littlef00t · 07/08/2015 13:06

Exhaustion and anemia sounds like a darn good reason to have a day off to relax - pregnancy related sick leave! No one else will think of you first, honestly think about it.

LovesYoungDream · 07/08/2015 13:11

She can't be much good at her job if the boss allows her to take a day off at the drop of a hat without any notice

scribblegirl · 07/08/2015 13:15

We can take holiday with about a week's notice here, though I know people who can take them on the day. Personally I wouldn't want to even if I could, but I'm not a spontaneous person!

PrimalLass · 07/08/2015 13:19

In my last job we could take two duvet days per year. Great idea.

But tbf if one of my team had called in and I knew their workload was ok, I'd let them be off anyway.

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