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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask new job for extra day Annual Leave?

26 replies

UnicornMug · 02/01/2022 09:27

Been in my new job for 3 months. Am currently on annual leave until next Thursday. My parents are asking if I can take the Friday off too. I really don't want to ask for more holidays as I think it looks bad at this late stage.

But my Dad is having a Care Assessment next Friday and I think my parents want me here for it. Would it be OK to ask my boss about booking 1 more day off?

OP posts:
blackteaplease · 02/01/2022 09:30

Call your boss and ask. It entirely depends on your job and whether they need to arrange cover for you.

RampantIvy · 02/01/2022 09:31

If your line manager is back this week could you contact them and ask if you swap one of the days you have booked off for Friday? If you explain why I'm sure they will be sympathetic.

girlmom21 · 02/01/2022 09:32

There's no harm in calling and asking

ArblemarzipanTFruitcake · 02/01/2022 09:32

You can ask but without knowing more, it's impossible to say how this would go down with your boss.

I'm 99% sure my present boss would be fine with it, but she's very understanding about people's family commitments. I've had other line managers who'd be grudging over it, though.

Prefix your request with an apology for the short notice and 'I'll understand if this isn't possible ...'

notanothertakeaway · 02/01/2022 09:32

Can't see a problem asking, especially if you explain the reason

LadyLolaRuben · 02/01/2022 09:32

I'd explain the reason for the request - its reasonable. A decent employer will understand

MojoMoon · 02/01/2022 09:32

Do you have the annual leave allowance left to use?

If so then of course you can ask to use it.

If you have run out of annual leave, you would need to ask for an unpaid day off

ArblemarzipanTFruitcake · 02/01/2022 09:34

Another option would be to ask if you could swap a day of the leave you are on at the moment - e.g. work Thursday and have Friday off.

Normandy144 · 02/01/2022 09:34

I don't think it's unreasonable to ask. Just speak to your boss. I would explain the situation. It all really depends on whether it will mean arranging last minute cover or not. You could maybe off to work on the Tuesday, weds or Thursday instead and swap a day so you're still taking the same amount of leave just switching a day.

Original poster
UnicornMug · 02/01/2022 09:41

I'm visiting my family 300 miles away so couldn't swap days unfortunately. I wouldn't need cover and I work for quite a small fairly relaxed company. It just feels rude to ask. I'm anxious about upsetting them I suppose because I really love this job.

OP posts:
MojoMoon · 02/01/2022 09:43

Your anxiety sounds completely disproportionate to the request you are making.
You have an employee who has the right to take X days of leave. There is no cover issue. It's really not a big deal to request it.

Have you thought about getting treatment?

Emelene · 02/01/2022 09:43

I would ask. They worst they will say is no. It sounds like your family would really like you there and you want to be there too. Xx

insancerre · 02/01/2022 09:44

Absolutely ask
As a manager I wouldn’t have a problem with this
If it’s important to you then I would be more than happy to make sure you could take the extra day

ImInStealthMode · 02/01/2022 09:45

I'm a Manager and it wouldn't bother me, assuming there was nothing particularly important happening on the Friday (meetings etc).

mumofEandE · 02/01/2022 09:46

As others have said you just need to ask but.... be prepared if the answer is no!

KiloWhat · 02/01/2022 09:48

Ask them and explain and say you understand if it's too short notice.

milkysmum · 02/01/2022 09:48

I'm a manager and wouldn't mind at all so long as there wasn't an important meeting etc on the Friday that you were due to attend.

PostChristmasSwapShop · 02/01/2022 09:49

I think you're probably being unnecessarily anxious unless there was a particular reason you were originally expecting to return to work on a Friday (eg if there are particular Friday tasks that need doing). If you ask asap and say that you're ok with sticking to the original plan if necessary but that your parents will really appreciate the extra support if it is possible for you to have the extra day. I think most bosses would be happy to agree.

Make sure you return home with plenty of time to unpack and rest during the weekend - having had this flexibility you will need to make sure you arrive at work full of energy and enthusiasm, and ideally earlier than your official start time.

gettingolderandgrumpy · 02/01/2022 10:04

You won’t upset them if it’s not convenient or possible they will just say no but if you explain why you need it and it won’t cause any issues they will probably say yes . My employer would be fine but others maybe not all different depending on circumstances/ workload/ others off so just ask .

EmmasMum12 · 02/01/2022 10:17

It's difficult isn't it, when you've only been in a job for a short-time. You're not quite sure of the lay of the land and you don't want to piss them off

If you have something work important happening on the Friday, I wouldn't ask. I'd just go to work as normal and id see if your Dad's assessment can be rearranged or you can join in on zoom in your lunch break

If its just a normal work day, I'd ask your manager for the day off explaining why and that you're 300 miles away so need to clarify in advance

Anoisagusaris · 02/01/2022 10:17

Depends entirely on the job - do you need someone to cover for you while off?

Sunshineandrainbow · 02/01/2022 10:21

Could you take the time off in the day and work later to make up the time?

Normandy144 · 02/01/2022 10:23

Do you have your work laptop with you? Can you work from home on one of the days instead as an option. It's just one day. Clearly if there's a big event happening that day which you are heavily involved in then it's not going to be ideal or convenient and in that instance I probably wouldn't ask but if it's just a regular work day then I don't see the issue. It's fairly normal in my job for people to take last minute leave of a day or half day but as we generally manage our own workloads it's never an issue.

AlexaShutUp · 02/01/2022 10:24

As a manager, I wouldn't mind you asking in the slightest, as long as you showed an understanding that it might not be logistically possible. People have lives and commitments outside of work and that's totally normal. I expect people to give 100% to the job when they're in work, but I don't expect their entire lives to revolve around it and wouldn't judge them at all for having other responsibilities - I am human and have stuff outside of work to deal with as well! Just ask... the worst that can happen is that they'll say no!

Ponoka7 · 02/01/2022 10:26

Are you a support to your father? You can take it as unpaid carers leave. Explain that once you have helped put support in place it will make it less likely that you will be called upon at a later date.

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