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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to ask for this day off?

24 replies

DorothyL · 05/02/2016 22:40

I am a teacher which means during term time I can't just take time off. Except... I used to have Mondays free up until Christmas so back in October I booked a weekend away for May. In November I was asked if I could Mondays from after Christmas as well and I said yes. Can I still ask for that Monday free do you think? Unpaid maybe?

OP posts:
StrugglingFool · 05/02/2016 22:48

Can't hurt to ask. Unpaid may well swing it!

Original poster
DorothyL · 06/02/2016 11:01

Do I suggest unpaid straight away or wait what they say first?

OP posts:
HackerFucker22 · 06/02/2016 11:04

Did you not mention the trip when they asked you to work Monday's?

StrugglingFool · 06/02/2016 11:25

Leave is all at the heads discretion. Go and speak to them... if they look unconvinced the chuck in the unpaid. Can't hurt. Depends on ur relationship and current attendance I guess.

ilovesooty · 06/02/2016 12:35

If I were your employer I'd have expected you to clear this back in November. I'd be saying no unless you come up with a way of calling in colleague favours or you offered to pay for cover.

Original poster
DorothyL · 06/02/2016 14:56

Well if I take unpaid that will pay for cover won't it? I didn't mention it in November because I didn't imagine it would have made a difference to thd offer to work Mondays - they didn't have anybody else to do it

OP posts:
Original poster
DorothyL · 06/02/2016 14:57

I haven't missed a day since I started working there in 2013

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 06/02/2016 15:00

It depends what you get paid and what an agency costs. I still think it was strange you didn't clear it in November.

Original poster
DorothyL · 06/02/2016 15:09

Why does it matter though whetherI cleared it in November or clear it now?

OP posts:
RealityCheque · 06/02/2016 15:13

"What does it matter?" - Are you serious? People start new jobs all the while and tell their new employer about pre existing commitments BEFORE they start.

Think about it for a minute:

-Can you start doing Mondays from January?
-Yes no problem - except the 3rd of April as I have commitments already bookeed
-OK we will arrange cover that day.

You sound like an entitled madam, to be honest. Hmm

ArkATerre · 06/02/2016 15:14

Ask now, May is still a while off. You helped them out by covering Mondays and I would offer to take it unpaid. They may still pay you, but you'll have offered.

ilovesooty · 06/02/2016 15:15

Exactly. If you start a new job you tell your employer about any existing commitments and ask if they can be accommodated. I don't see this as any different.

ilovesooty · 06/02/2016 15:19

Incidentally my employer is negotiating with me to work some Saturday nights to cover someone on maternity leave. She asked me to check any existing commitments and get back to her next week.
If they cover you with agency staff are you seriously expecting the school not to be out of pocket even if you take unpaid leave?

Cataline · 06/02/2016 15:20

Is your contract still the same as when you didn't work Mondays?
If you're just 'covering' the Monday's rather than as a permanent hours change then there should be no issue at all!

Original poster
DorothyL · 06/02/2016 16:17

Entitled?? I amwilling to cancel the trip if necessary. I'm willing to take the day unpaid or pay for the shortfall. But I'm entitled??

OP posts:
Florene · 06/02/2016 16:23

You are getting a bit aggressive, and it's unnecessary. People are correct in what they are saying - you should have mentioned it in November.

Reason to mention it then is so they understand it's a pre-existing commitment. And not just that you decided in a rainy dreary February that you fancied booking time off for a day that they previously told you they needed you to work.

It is also good manners...

girlsyearapart · 06/02/2016 16:23

I had a similar situation. I was working 3 days and am now working four. Before I agreed to the 4th day I said I couldn't do the 4th day in May as I have a trip booked for my wedding anniversary.
So it was pre arranged and I will work another day to make it up but you can bet by May they ll have forgotten all about agreeing!
Tell them sooner rather than later. I am also in the position that my class will be on school journey that week with my job share partner so it shouldn't be too much of a drama.

Original poster
DorothyL · 06/02/2016 16:47

I agree I should have said about it in November but I don't think that makes me entitled.

OP posts:
Original poster
DorothyL · 06/02/2016 16:48

I agree I should have said about it in November but I don't think that makes me entitled.

OP posts:
PotteringAlong · 06/02/2016 16:50

The problem is that, because you didn't mention it in November, it looks like you've booked it after that and are trying to get around the "no term time leave" thing. I would definitely be unpaid, you can but ask, don't be surprised if they say no.

Original poster
DorothyL · 06/02/2016 16:58

I would hope that with my attendance record I'm not one to pull a fast one

OP posts:
Original poster
DorothyL · 06/02/2016 16:58

*they would know

OP posts:
Sallyhasleftthebuilding · 06/02/2016 17:38

Book it sooner rather than later - it's not an issue really!

Osolea · 06/02/2016 17:38

While you should have mentioned it when you agreed to do the extra day, you didn't so it's not worth worrying about now.

Yes, you should absolutely ask for the day off, and you should get it.

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