Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Employers think they own us

110 replies

changingsheets · 19/08/2021 14:48

Name change.

I had a holiday request granted for October approved when I asked for it back in June.
They have now declined my request, stating it's due to staffing issues.

Because it had been accepted I went and booked a holiday to go and visit family, who have also booked the time off so we can all spend time together.

I work 5 days but lately they either add on an extra shift, or extra hours onto my actual shift. So if I'm supposed to be on a 7-3 they'll change it to 7-5. They don't ask, they just expect you to do it. So you cannot make any plans at all.

The rules are already in place where you cannot have holidays in June, July, August and December. So that's why I decided on October.

Aibu to think that a lot of employers think they own us? I know I'm being ridiculous but I'm so angry!

I cannot quit because I have children and the family rely on my wage. I am looking for other work but all the jobs in my area are 20 hours per week or under. One was a 4 hour contract!

OP posts:
TheWhalrus · 19/08/2021 14:53

Sounds like you need to have a word. Either with your boss or (if possible) your union. I suspect the law has probably been broken here. If it hasn't then this certainly isn't a good way to manage staff.

Toucan123 · 19/08/2021 14:53

You're not being ridiculous at all and I'm not surprised you're angry! They've already granted your request so to then go back on that and say you can't take your annual leave on the agreed dates seems outrageous, especially when they've already banned you from taking any holiday during four other months of the year. Do you have an HR department you can speak to?

Nothapppy · 19/08/2021 14:55

I agree. If there's a lack of work employers behave abusively.

LIZS · 19/08/2021 14:56

Unfortunately leave can be cancelled with notice, think minimum notice period is double the duration. Whether your shift patterns meet the working tine directive and minimum wage criteria might be worth exploring. Is it a business with recruitment and staff retention problems?

VainAbigail · 19/08/2021 14:57

I know I'm being ridiculous but I'm so angry!

I don’t think you’re being ridiculous at all!

LubaLuca · 19/08/2021 15:05

Whether it's legal or not is by the by - they should be treating all staff fairly and with their needs catered for. How can they possibly know that they'll be short-staffed in October unless they've authorised too many people to take holiday at that time?

Bearing in mind you booked your leave in June, I'd say this is their problem to solve.

Danikm151 · 19/08/2021 15:13

Employers need to recognise that it is supposed to be a mutually beneficial contract. You provide your services and they pay you for that service.
They can't dictate, they should be asking. Giving enough notice etc.
Unfortunately, the law is on their side regarding annual leave but they should give you alternative dates as it's an entitlement not a benefit.

drpaddington · 19/08/2021 15:15

I'm sure they're allowed to cancel it as long as they give you enough notice- I think it could be twice the amount of leave you've booked? So for one week off they can cancel it two weeks beforehand? Absolutely ridiculous IMO and should not be allowed. Generally people make plans for their time off, even if they're given more than the legal notice to cancel it, that could mean losing money on holidays etc. Missing important events like weddings. Not fair at all.

DynamoKev · 19/08/2021 15:17

YANBU. This is the outcome from when Thatcher asked us if we wanted companies or unions in charge and we chose companies. We have abolished any kind of proper balance between employers and employees. It won't last though - the pandemic has shifted things quite a bit and Brexit has stemmed the unlimited supply of cheap labour from Eastern Europe. (Some) employers are going to have to start being a bit more reasonable; it's overdue.

Original poster
changingsheets · 19/08/2021 15:18

Staff retention is an issue with my employer. Staff burn out very fast, they leave then we have to take on more staff.

We have a high amount of sickness due to stress and depression too.

OP posts:
Original poster
changingsheets · 19/08/2021 15:20

We had a union rep but he's actually off sick with stress at the moment. You just couldn't make this up at all.

I've looked at the reviews of the company on indeed and glasshouse and it's shocking

OP posts:
Coffeegirl87 · 19/08/2021 15:22

Are you in a health or social care provider by any chance? Very common in the sectors but if you are vote with your feet; good care and nursing staff are hard to find

MattHancocksSexTape · 19/08/2021 15:23

To clarify

An employer can cancel holiday, but they must let you know beforehand by at least the same amount of time as the amount you requested

The double notice thing is a myth.

mildlymiffed · 19/08/2021 15:24

I see that your union rep is off sick- but are you a member of the union? If so, there will be a way of escalating this to your regional rep whilst your local one is off sick.

MattHancocksSexTape · 19/08/2021 15:25

OP, I’d double your efforts to secure a new job elsewhere.

Assuming a months notice period at your current job, if you find somewhere by September then you can hand in your notice to coincide with your holiday!

HunterHearstHelmsley · 19/08/2021 15:28

@MattHancocksSexTape

To clarify

An employer can cancel holiday, but they must let you know beforehand by at least the same amount of time as the amount you requested

The double notice thing is a myth.

The length of the leave, plus one day.
Bargebill19 · 19/08/2021 15:28

Op you are not wrong. Sadly it’s legal for the employer to do this. My last employer did this in the name of covid - funny how it didn’t extend to any management or directors- just the ones actually doing the physical labour.

Find another job, you are just a payroll number to your employer. I’m don’t this and now combine 3 part time jobs. Because part time workers who are willing to do 4 hours here and there are hard to come by, I now have much more power.

Biancadelrioisback · 19/08/2021 15:33

I would be furious OP and escalate that. That's very unfair and no wonder they have a high staff turnover.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 19/08/2021 15:42

Is it a business with recruitment and staff retention problems?

If it isn't already, it's rapidly heading that way.

DeflatedGinDrinker · 19/08/2021 15:48

Yanbu they approved it and you booked a holiday. Call ACAS they give employment advice.

Lauren1983 · 19/08/2021 16:03

It is terrible how some employers act.

In one shop job I had a colleague who worked Mon-Fri. Our manager asked her if she could do overtime at the weekend and when she said she couldn't as she had booked a weekend away she was told she should never make plans as the company might need her. They literally expected us to be free 7 days a week all year round. They also only let us drink on our one break, monitored toilet breaks, gave us no lockers and banned us from using the customer lift meaning we had to carry heavy customer purchases up a flight of stairs.

I hope the worm does turn and workers are able to be treated more fairly. Good luck in getting your holiday OP. I have no doubt you have bent over backwards for your employer and well deserve it.

TheKeatingFive · 19/08/2021 16:05

I'd look for a new job

Theunamedcat · 19/08/2021 16:09

Isnt there a minimum notice period for shift changes?

6079SmithW · 19/08/2021 16:10

I second talking to ACAS. Are you a frontline/key worker? If not, the only thing that will suffer through staff shortages is the ability to make money.
If no one is going to die due to your absence then take your holiday. It's far more important than someone else's profit.

Original poster
changingsheets · 19/08/2021 16:15

I'm looking for a new job. I'm printing out CVs as I'm typing.

It wasn't always like this, then all managers and directors were replaced and everything changed.

They want us on the floor 15-20 minutes before/after the start of our shift for handover. We do not get paid for this. That's 30-40 minutes per day!

We barely get breaks, if we do we are constantly interrupted. The break would mean half an hour without wearing a mask which would be amazing for the chapped skin around my mouth.

Can you guess my job?

OP posts: