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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Work declined 1 day holiday request

54 replies

Damonlufc88 · 05/10/2017 18:48

I'm a basic factory worker, nothing glamorous but it pays the way.

My son started special school in September, he's 5. Had a letter about his harvest festival, he never fitted in when he was at mainstream previous topics made about this) so this is something I want to see as he has never been in this or a Nativity or any preference. I put a holiday request in for next Thursday 9 days notice, as that's when we found our when it was and been declined because one member of staff in my department is on holiday and 1 is off sick.

OP posts:

Fluffyears · 05/10/2017 18:51

Yeah it’s crap but they have a holiday quota. We can only have 2 in our team off at any one time.

Migraleve · 05/10/2017 18:52

So what's your AIBU?

You asked for a holiday and it was refused. That's crap but it's life I'm afraid.

RavingRoo · 05/10/2017 18:53

Who declined it, your manager? Could you maybe explain it to him and offer doing a half day or working unpaid overtime in lieu?

NancyDonahue · 05/10/2017 18:53

I'm presuming he's doing a performance?
Do you need to take the whole day? They are usually very short at that age. Maybe if you ask for an hour or two they may be able to work something out.

Sirzy · 05/10/2017 18:53

Sadly a request is exactly what it is and they don’t have to honour it, especially not if it will leave them short staffed.

Is doing a shift swap an option?

TooDamnSarky · 05/10/2017 18:54

i used to give my kids a choice between me attending such events or saving my holiday for a full day off together in the school holidays. They always chose the latter.

Maybe explain it to him that not coming to this will mean more fun time together later on?

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 05/10/2017 18:55

They can't have too many staff off at once. It's tough, but it's life.

insancerre · 05/10/2017 18:57

Do you really need the whole day?
Can you not just take a couple of hours?
Or even just nip out for a bit

ineedamoreadultieradult · 05/10/2017 18:58

Depending what you do in the factory can you work the time back later, or do a shift swap? It's tough but this is how it is unfortunately. You could always request parental leave I would be unpaid but can be taken as single days and without a month's notice if your child is classed as disabled. I don't think it would make you especially popular with your boss though.

2014newme · 05/10/2017 19:01

Ask school when the nativity will be so you can request time off early. Ask if you can have 2 hours off for the harvest festival rather than the whole day?

Louiselouie0890 · 05/10/2017 19:19

What's the problem?

Glumglowworm · 05/10/2017 19:21

Pretty standard I'm afraid

Holidays can always be declined for business reasons.

Bovneydazzlers · 05/10/2017 19:21

It's frustrating but can't really blame work if they already are short staffed that day. Maybe ask the school to confirm their next assembly and nativity date now so you can get your requests in early.

DailyMailReadersAreThick · 05/10/2017 19:30

Not sure why some posters are being willfully obtuse. It's clear to anyone with a brain cell what the AIBU is and why this matters to you.

Agree with others that if you only need to take a few hours out, they might be more flexible. Good luck.

KitKat1985 · 05/10/2017 19:33

I can sympathise but if your workplace is anything like mine they will only allow a certain number of staff time off at once. It's crap I know but they don't have to honour a holiday request, especially on 9 days notice. Could you talk to your manager if you could compromise and just have a half day, or offer to make the hours up that week if she / he is able to let you go?

Supermagicsmile · 05/10/2017 19:34

Next time just don't really them and phone in sick. Not a lot they can do then!!

insancerre · 05/10/2017 19:36

supermagicsmile
Well, they could sack her!

tippz · 05/10/2017 19:39

Lesson learned.

Ring in sick next time.

MyDcAreMarvel · 05/10/2017 19:41

If he is in a special school I am sure the will include all children in the nativity so put in an early request for that.

allthgoodusernamesaretaken · 05/10/2017 19:42

Next time just don't really them and phone in sick. Not a lot they can do then!!

Apart from sack you if they found out. Advising you to phone in sick is terrible advice

LonginesPrime · 05/10/2017 19:42

I know this doesn't solve the problem of you wanting to see your son in the festival (and I do sympathise completely get where you're coming from), but from his perspective, is there anyone else who can go along to watch him? Perhaps video it (if allowed)?

I know it doesn't completely solve the problem, but I always tried to get my mother or someone else to go along to these things when I had to work, just so they know someone's there for them there are also other times when I've had to explain that no one can come because the bills have to be paid.

QuackDuckQuack · 05/10/2017 19:44

That’s disappointing. Is there someone else who could attend who would mean something to your DS?

Tanfastic · 05/10/2017 19:45

There's not a lot you can do unfortunately. You aren't automatically entitled to get the holidays you want anywhere you work.

LonginesPrime · 05/10/2017 19:49

And also, if he has SEN and you think you might need to take time off for various meetings/appointments with him over the years, it's worth making sure that when you are calling in favours from your boss or colleagues (e.g. shift swaps, etc), you're choosing your battles carefully - if you've taken time off for harvest festivals, you might not have any goodwill left for when you really really need to meet with the EdPsych and the SENCO during school hours or go to hospital appointments.

twattymctwatterson · 05/10/2017 19:59

It's a shame but that's life op. Explain the situation to your manager and ask if you can work the time back? Surely you've had a holiday request declined before?

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