I run a small family business and have recently expanded enough to take on another member of staff. I could do with some advice please.
This new employee has just finished her 3 months probation. She's doing fine and I can see potential so am generally happy with her so far.
Her holidays are pro rata'd for this year and she has taken all of them already apart from 3 days booked for Christmas which is the same for everyone as we tend to shut down that week.
Now is the start of our busy season, the next 3 months can be a bit manic. In the past we've agreed holidays out of this season and our former employee had always been fine with taking holidays earlier or later in the year.
This year, because we have more staff, I agreed holidays during this period on the basis of only one off at a time and I've had to decline the odd day here and there for this employee because someone else was already off.
She's had 3 days off this week (holiday) and has just messaged me to ask for 2 weeks off unpaid at the end of July.
I get the UNPAID bit, but I have my part timer off at the same time so 2 days a week I'll be 2 people down.
AIBU to say no? And can you help me with some better wording please, rather than just saying absolutely not!