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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to take this time off?

97 replies

gerdyson · 05/10/2020 21:06

I have a set amount of work to get through at work, and I also have the ability to plan my own working week.

When I was setting my work plan a while back, I kept next week free as I was hoping to take it as annual leave. However, clearly with the numbers the way they are, I have cancelled the annual leave request as there's not much point to taking annual leave right now.

The thing is, I am up to date with all my work. I literally have nothing in the diary for next week. So AIBU to sort of take it as unofficial leave and just keep an eye on my emails?!

OP posts:
NW2SW · 05/10/2020 23:17

A day or so maybe ok. 5 days takes the piss.

Ask to reinstate your holiday and give yourself a break, we aren't going anywhere any time soon.

Aquicknamechange2019 · 05/10/2020 23:19

@gerdyson

I have a set amount of work to get through at work, and I also have the ability to plan my own working week.

When I was setting my work plan a while back, I kept next week free as I was hoping to take it as annual leave. However, clearly with the numbers the way they are, I have cancelled the annual leave request as there's not much point to taking annual leave right now.

The thing is, I am up to date with all my work. I literally have nothing in the diary for next week. So AIBU to sort of take it as unofficial leave and just keep an eye on my emails?!

This would be a sackable offence where I work.
LaurieFairyCake · 05/10/2020 23:19

People are so fucking weird

You've finished your work 🤷‍♀️

CoronaBollox · 05/10/2020 23:20

Too right I would.

DrFoxtrot · 05/10/2020 23:22

Have you completed your work because you were planning to keep next week free? So, if you hadn't planned leave, would work have continued to come to you?

If so, I think YABU. But it's your job, you take whatever risks you see fit.

converseandjeans · 05/10/2020 23:26

I think if you're up to date, will be available online & often work extra then go for it.

Maybe lay low & watch Netflix/read so you don't get caught?

Namechangedforthisoct2 · 05/10/2020 23:26

If you’re doing or have done the work you are asked to do, to a high standard and there’s nothing outstanding then this seems reasonable, especially if you’ve worked extra hard to achieve this.

orangejuicer · 06/10/2020 06:34

This thread is confusing me.

Without knowing the particulars of your job, don't you have to be around if new work comes in? And respond quicker than just keeping an eye on email?

It would be a sackable offence where I work as well. Do you have to fill in a timesheet?

SushiGo · 06/10/2020 06:42

@Wakemeupwhenthisisover

Why are people so enraged by this? It doesn’t affect you at all- you’re just jealous of the OP. Op do what you want you’re a grown adult.
Because I've guess we've all worked with someone who shirks, and know that actually often really means the other staff end up with more work to do because that person isn't doing their share.
ifiwasascent · 06/10/2020 06:50

Aren't you only free next week because you've managed your diary that way?

Wakemeupwhenthisisover · 06/10/2020 06:52

@SushiGo but the op has done her work- so it’s not leaving anyone else in the lurch?

Musicaltheatremum · 06/10/2020 06:52

Of course YABU. Taking the leave is fine but you need to tell your manager. I can't believe you think for a second this is morally justifiable. It's an appalling attitude.

PracticingPerson · 06/10/2020 06:56

This just isn't how my work works, because there is always stuff we are not doing due to all time being taken up by urgent stuff! So I have never 'done all my work' as there are lower priority things that could be done Sad

orangejuicer · 06/10/2020 07:03

It would actually be seen as fraud in my place - claiming to be working when not.

nosswith · 06/10/2020 07:06

YABU. There must be some planning to do, or deleting old emails, or some boring admin task you can do for part of the week. It is dishonest in my opinion.

AragonsGirl · 06/10/2020 07:06

Would those saying “do it” be quite so happy if it was their colleague awarding themselves an extra weeks holiday? Yes, the work is done for now, but what if more comes in next week/a colleague is off sick etc?

SushiGo · 06/10/2020 07:06

[quote Wakemeupwhenthisisover]@SushiGo but the op has done her work- so it’s not leaving anyone else in the lurch?[/quote]
They say they've done their work. There's quite a big difference there.

orangejuicer · 06/10/2020 07:09

It's just such an odd thing to consider doing.
Yes ok take it a bit easy but if you're not on leave you're expected to be working.

Pippa12 · 06/10/2020 07:16

My professional reputation means a lot to me, if yours doesn’t go for it.

GregariousMountains · 06/10/2020 07:21

I would OP.
Have those of you saying no never run out of stuff to to at work?
Isn't this just a bigger version of picking up some papers and walking around looking busy, or standing near the photocopier as if you are waiting for it. It has been a very long time since I worked in an office but I remember lots of sitting at desk having finished my allocated work.
I work in a school now so I can easily walk around looking purposeful when I have run out of things to do, when I have been WFH during this I do maybe an hour or 2 work a day I could easily compress that into a day and have rest of time free. If the work is done it's done. I think you are fine to chill OP as long as you are available by email instantly (my work email comes to my phone, so I can always reply)

TheGinGenie · 06/10/2020 07:23

I think you're running a huge risk that isn't worth it, this would likely be misconduct and could end in dismissal just because you don't want to use annual leave? This will be the case for at least the next six months so what are you even saving the leave for? I'd find it more stressful to spend a week skiving and worrying about being caught than just to use the leave you are entitled to.

I'd worry that if no-one notices I'm not working for a week I'd be in line for redundancy

TheGinGenie · 06/10/2020 07:24

"Take it as unofficial leave" = skiving off

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 06/10/2020 07:26

You’re conning your workplace. Great standards you have.

Readandwalk · 06/10/2020 07:29

Yrs you've done the work. If it doesn't impact on anyone, why not.

CakeRequired · 06/10/2020 07:31

I so hope you get caught. The next thread of 'is my work unreasonable to fire me for taking a week off without telling them or requesting leave' will be so funny. Can't wait for the responses then.

You're an idiot op if you do this and fully deserve to lose your job. They're bound to notice an entire week of not hearing from you as often as they usually do. If you're rich enough to not need the income, go ahead.