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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:
DailyMailReadersAreThick · 05/10/2017 20:01

Surely you've had a holiday request declined before?

I can't answer for the OP but I never have. I think lots of people in certain jobs have no idea that employers can decline holiday requests for any reason, and even tell employees when to take holidays. It's usual for my brother, who works in manufacturing and is put on annual leave when things are quiet. Not so much for me in a professional office job.

alltoomuchrightnow · 05/10/2017 20:04

Standard. Nine days isn't much notice. In retail I always had to give at least a month's notice and no one was allowed any time off between oct-first week of Jan. And even for the 'off peak' times it was often denied, so I've missed numerous weddings and family occasions etc. It's pissed off family before but that's how it is especially in retail. You can't just for eg, take off a random Saturday.

lizzieoak · 05/10/2017 20:05

I hated missing school stuff when my kids were little because I was both indispencible and doing a job they thought didn't matter and eventually sacked me and gave to volunteers. It's hard! You may have to miss the harvest festival. I learned to call in sick eventually, though I know that's a controversial position.

alltoomuchrightnow · 05/10/2017 20:06

With two others already away, they probably wouldn't reach their targets so it's understandable (if you were off too. ). Not great for you I know. But just life. First come first served with holiday requests

headintheproverbial · 05/10/2017 20:10

Legally they're allowed to do it but of course it's crap for you! Can't you ask someone to cover for you or alternatively just ask if you can come in late and make up the time?

tippz · 05/10/2017 20:23

Without being rude, it's a FACTORY job.

How can they be so desperate for the OP to be there?

The company are just encouraging people to ring in sick next time.

Aliveinwanderland · 05/10/2017 20:27

Tippz assuming because this factory actually does something! They will have time and money constraints and need to be a profitable as possible! They can’t just let staff having time off whenever they want because it’s a factory!!

Dinosauratemydaffodils · 05/10/2017 20:28

Shift swap if you can. The large supermarket chain I worked in as a student wouldn't let me take my graduation day off, instead I had to find someone willing to swap shifts.

Any chance the off-sick person will be back by then?

rookiemere · 05/10/2017 20:29

You are being rude tippz.

I assume they expect the OP to be at her job because they have quotas to make of things they need to sell. If OP was not needed, they presumably would not employ her. The company presumably has an absence policy which discourages people from calling in sick because they want to be some where else.

OP this is a hard one, as others have suggested maybe asking for a couple of hours off would be doable for your employers.

OtterlyNutty · 05/10/2017 20:33

Alive and rookie
I was trying to think of a way of wording what you have both said but could only actually think of Hmm as a response, so thank you for saying what I wanted to.

WitchesHatRim · 05/10/2017 20:35

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

Ridiculous advice.

How can they be so desperate for the OP to be there?

To actually, you know, do a job.

As crap as it is OK they have done nothing wrong.

Deemail · 05/10/2017 20:35

Could you try and compromise and get a couple of hours off?

ineedamoreadultieradult · 05/10/2017 20:35

Tippz just saying 'without being rude' doesn't make it not rude! In my experience factory jobs are more crucial to have the right people there at the right time than office jobs. If your working on a line you have to be there when the line is working and in the right place at the right time otherwise the whole thing goes tits up whereas in an office often the work can be done at another time or from another location.

HidingBehindTheWallpaper · 05/10/2017 20:44

How can they be so desperate for the OP to be there?

Well in a factory it’s much harder for someone else to cover her work than if she was in an office, call centre, shop etc. You can’t just all pick up her slack or leave her work undone for the day. This is why factories used to close for a fortnight and everyone had the same two weeks off.

As for the op, sorry but that is how it is for a lot of people.
Teacher, nurses, doctors, emergency services and many many other positions will almost never be able to get time off for a child’s play. Just ask anyone who works in a school, even the same school as their children attend.

Allyg1185 · 05/10/2017 20:47

Its crap but its the way it is. I have to give a full months notice for a holiday

CycleHire · 05/10/2017 20:49

I’m sorry. That does sound annoying. My parents are going to my son’s harvest festival but I know that isn’t an option for everyone. Does the school provide dates for the whole term? Then you could try to book ahead for the class assembly or nativity.

stopbeingadramallama · 05/10/2017 20:50

Try and swap a shift with someone else?
Instead of the whole day, maybe as for a few hours?

Fattychan123 · 05/10/2017 20:52

TippZ

They probably have certain work quotas to fill for the day. So it's not JUST a factory job.

And yes that was rude.

SingingMySong · 05/10/2017 20:55

Without being rude, it's a FACTORY job.

I am reminded of one of John Finnemore's best lines: "When you say "No offence", do you in fact know what that means?" Grin

BakedBeans47 · 05/10/2017 21:11

Och OP, its rubbish having to miss out x as others have said would they let you juggle your breaks to perhaps still be able to attend and go to work before and afterwards?

LonginesPrime · 05/10/2017 21:13

Tippz I've never worked in a factory but it doesn't take much common sense to work out that they need people to operate machinery, do actual physical things and be on site during their shift!

StealthPolarBear · 05/10/2017 21:16

"You could always request parental leave I would be unpaid but can be taken as single days and without a month's notice."
I thought parental leave had to be taken in blocks of weeks?

chocoshopoholic · 05/10/2017 21:20

Parental leave rules are different for parents of children with a disability.

2014newme · 05/10/2017 21:21

Parental leave has to be taken in blocks if week.
And if the factory can't spare the op then that's regardless of what kind of leave it is

StealthPolarBear · 05/10/2017 21:22

Thanks choco I wondered if that was the case