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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:
Bargebill19 · 20/08/2021 07:24

@BarbaraofSeville. Yea the covid laws allow (and may still do so, I haven’t checked recently) for employers to cancel all leave for a year - which was definitely up to April 2021. But it had to be promised to be carried over into 2021-22 holiday year and added on to that years entitlement. In my experience this wasn’t honoured.
I ended up getting an employment solicitor and won over £1,200 back.

ProfessorSlocombe · 20/08/2021 08:10

Leave doesn't always mean holibobs. Some - admittedly shit - employers require staff to use annual leave to cover operations in hospital.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 20/08/2021 10:19

I'm sure they can't do this when you have booked a holiday. Are they going to refund your costs.

Outrageous, isn't it. Considering that, for a decent, special holiday, you've likely spent several weeks' worth of wages to pay for it, how can forfeiting that in favour of just one week's pay - which you should already be entitled to without working as part of your annual leave allowance anyway - possibly compensate?

Does it work the other way too? Can you give them a week's notice that you've decided you just can't be bothered to come in the following week? Thought not....

rachelvbwho · 20/08/2021 21:18

Haha sorry @HirplesWithHaggis mumsnet was not playing ball with me Grin

They do pay well comparatively for 'supermarket' work but IMO the staff REALLY earn it. I worked with a number of people who did their (very well paid) grad scheme and none stuck around for longer than the minimum contract due to the workload/stress and pressure. Shame really Sad

firstworldproblemsagain · 20/08/2021 21:30

YANBU! Can’t you name & shame?

Original poster
changingsheets · 27/08/2021 18:20

Update. I've handed in my notice. I leave in 3 weeks but they're saying I have to work a week for every year I have been employed.
It's not in my contract and I get monthly paid so I have said no Grin

OP posts:
SapatSea · 27/08/2021 19:54

CF's. Well done!

Kithic · 27/08/2021 20:36

Fucking hell they're awful!

RandomMess · 27/08/2021 20:45

So glad you are out of there!

Enjoy your holiday ☀️

LittleOwl153 · 27/08/2021 21:06

Ha ha. I think they are mixing it up with the redundancy pay they have to give you if they were giving you notice!!

What a load of clowns. Glad you have been able to resign. Have you found something to move on to?

Bootikin · 27/08/2021 21:08

Oh good for you, they sound like a bunch of pricks - there are staff shortages everywhere so you’ll get something better in no time. Enjoy the hard earned holiday!

Original poster
changingsheets · 27/08/2021 21:16

I have never felt relief like it. I cannot wait to get out of there! They're guilt tripping me to stay which is making me more determined to leave. I know that they need me more than I need them.

Cannot wait to see my family Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
changingsheets · 27/08/2021 21:17

@LittleOwl153 yes I have been offered a new job. It's better hours and looks like a more relaxed environment. All the staff have been there for years so that must be a positive

OP posts:
Killerqueen2244 · 27/08/2021 21:19

Well done for getting out- not retail by any chance!?!

RosiePosieDozy · 27/08/2021 21:21

Well done for getting out and getting this new job.

My workplace isn't like yours. They wouldn't cancel my booked holiday like this. Once it's approved, it's approved and that's it.

Onwards and upwards.

TheHateIsNotGood · 27/08/2021 21:26

Good for you. My neighbour who has worked nearly throughout all lockdowns, personal tragedies, pingdemics is so, so burntout. She's in outlet catering, so on near NMW with responsibilities way beyond her pay scale.

She's an absolute trooper and hard worker but she's suffering and as she's admitted it you can bet it's true. She let her bosses know that she can't carry on and they've said nothing. Expect her to carry on. Until she breaks.

Bastards.

whatisforteamum · 28/08/2021 07:23

Good for you for leaving.Disgraceful cancelling a paid for holiday.

DoTheNextRightThing · 28/08/2021 07:42

Congrats OP!! I left a horrible job last year and the relief was huge. Was like the biggest weight had been lifted. Enjoy your freedom!!

CounsellorTroi · 28/08/2021 07:54

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.

This is dreadful. Health and safety nightmare quite apart from the leave thing. Can you name and shame these bastards?

maddening · 28/08/2021 08:09

Well done op, 👏

AwaAnBileYerHeid · 28/08/2021 08:10

Make sure you tell them exactly why you're leaving! Because of their poor treatment of staff.

HalzTangz · 28/08/2021 08:44

Now you've handed your notice in I think you should tell us who the employer was lol

AnonymousCheerleader · 28/08/2021 08:47

The first company I ever worked for tried this with me.

I'd booked my first ever holiday abroad after getting the leave approved, then the manager started playing silly games. Telling me she might have to cancel, then making me jump through different hoops, with the promise of the holiday being fine after I'd sorted this one little problem, and then telling me she still might have to cancel anyway.

Other members of staff were telling her that what she was doing didn't make sense, as she either let me have the week off and kept an experienced member of the team, or she refused the leave and I quit. Either way, I wasn't working that week.

I ended up quitting a week before I was due to go because she was still playing her silly games and I'd had enough.

GreenClock · 28/08/2021 09:35

Absolute scumbag employer. I’m glad you’re leaving!

It might be worth your while calling the National Minimum Wage helpline OP. You and others might be owed backpay for those unpaid 20 min handovers.

Flyingantday · 28/08/2021 10:15

Make sure you don’t lose out on any AL that they owe you if you’ve accrued it already and have been banned from taking it. I think they are obliged to pay you for it?