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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Manager cancelled my holiday last minute

64 replies

whatisforteamum · 28/02/2022 11:14

So where I work we've seen colleagues leave and not be replaced.
One was almost a year ago the others November and last month. We are on our knees working 12 hr days which we always did but considerably increased workload.
I booked this week off 10 months ago as it is a big anniversary.
My boss has all holidays on the computer and on a planner.
Also other people have holidays backlogged so effectively working 4 short if you know what I mean.
I offered to pop in if strictly needed mid week.
The Rota was done last night which would start on a Sunday...yesterday.
I only had 3 days off of the whole 7 and No weekend that I only get 5 a year!!
I said I'm having 4 at least as my kitchen is ripped out for us to redo.
My boss knows my dh was made redundant last week too so is massively taking advantage.
My colleague who is single with no commitment thinks we have to just rearrange our hols.
I am massively pissed off and stressed and will apply elsewhere today.
Am I being unreasonable to have expected advanced warning or at least a team meeting.
Obviously I'm going to apply elsewhere

OP posts:
DifficultBloodyWoman · 28/02/2022 11:24

Employers are required to give employees proper notice of cancelled holiday time.

I think it is either equal or double the amount of time booked off but please double check that. (In other words, if you booked a week off work, they need to give you one week’s notice or two week’s notice of the cancellation).

DifficultBloodyWoman · 28/02/2022 11:26

I was wrong about the notice period for cancellation.

‘An employer can refuse a leave request or cancel leave but they must give as much notice as the amount of leave requested, plus 1 day. For example, an employer would give 11 days’ notice if the worker asked for 10 days’ leave.’

From www.gov.uk/holiday-entitlement-rights/booking-time-off-

MaggieMooh · 28/02/2022 11:30

If you booked 5 days off they have to give 6 days notice of cancellation. I believe they also have to refund any expenses incurred e.g. if you’re forced to cancel a holiday booking they would have to refund you.

ImAvingOops · 28/02/2022 11:31

I'd take the time anyway.

Original poster
whatisforteamum · 28/02/2022 11:31

Thank you Bloodydifficultwoman.
Does this mean I can refuse to work?
Ridiculous that it was booked ages ago and left me in the lurch.

OP posts:
Original poster
whatisforteamum · 28/02/2022 11:34

Also makes me look entitled to my colleagues who had zero plans and don't mind going in.

OP posts:
Hankunamatata · 28/02/2022 11:35

Your mistake was offering to pop in midweek, you made yourself too available. You said others are taking backlog leave? Do you have minimum staffing levels?

Musicaltheatremum · 28/02/2022 11:36

Oh dear what a pity you've just boarded a plane to "somewhere special" as a last minute plan. You now can't come in.

BarbaraofSeville · 28/02/2022 11:37

Plans or no plans, you have a legal entitlement to statutory minimum holidays each year (28 days including BHs). If you don't get these, your employer is breaking the law.

Plus cancelling at short notice due to bad planning/being a shit employer so people leave isn't on and doesn't encourage people to stay which exacerbates the problem.

lawandgin · 28/02/2022 11:40

Tell your employer you are taking the leave. If they have a problem then you can take it up with ACAS when you make an early conciliation request because they are breaking the law by not giving you the required notice. I'd put it in writing.

SolasAnla · 28/02/2022 11:43

@whatisforteamum

Also makes me look entitled to my colleagues who had zero plans and don't mind going in.
You are leaving.

You are leaving, what ex-colleagues think dont matter.

The employer is 3 people short, you and your colleagues are taking up the slack, yet your manager ignores that you have holidays booked.
Its not going to improve in the short term.

If you are guilted into the idea you must work 24/7 you cant interview for a new job.

You are leaving, focus 100% on that.

Original poster
whatisforteamum · 28/02/2022 11:49

I don't care what people think when I'm gone I do care when I'm on a 12 hr day in the same room though.
No mention of min staff levels.
My manager is so very disorganised and people have left because of him.
My old one was brilliant.

OP posts:
Rosehugger · 28/02/2022 11:51

I'd hand in my notice, have the break and look for another job. It's completely unacceptable.

Googlecanthelpme · 28/02/2022 11:52

Well they have to give you notice, so if you had a week booked off then no he can’t just change it today for this week. How much notice have they given you?

If they haven’t given the notice then I’d simply state that. Otherwise I’d take sick leave.
So what if you have to work with other employees thinking you are entitled - just remind them that it will be their holiday which is cancelled next with no warning.

Your managers incompetence is not your problem!

bluedodecagon · 28/02/2022 11:53

It’s illegal. Call ACAS.

Googlecanthelpme · 28/02/2022 11:55

Sorry just seen they’ve given you the rota the day before the week starts so they’ve given you no warning at all - and did your manager expressly communicate that they couldn’t facilitate your leave? Or were you just left to see the rota and work it out for yourself?

Honestly beggars belief that this is acceptable to some managers / companies

Original poster
whatisforteamum · 28/02/2022 11:59

Thank you all.
Their leave was messed about but as single guys with no outside commitments they don't care.one has been promoted so it makes him look good.
Yes I may have to go sick.
I had severe depression and anxiety which I never took a day off for.
I can feel it returning not that I can't cope but the physical workload is high and I'm a fit person.
The shifts are isolating getting home at 11 pm too.

OP posts:
JudgeRindersMinder · 28/02/2022 12:00

@whatisforteamum

Also makes me look entitled to my colleagues who had zero plans and don't mind going in.
What you’re entitled to is your annual leave, don’t worry about your colleagues because they won’t be worrying about you if they were in your position
Original poster
whatisforteamum · 28/02/2022 12:08

Googlecanthelpme
I requested a meeting before our head of dept left.
Nothing.It was obvious we were grossly understaffed with the senior man going.
I pointed out I would not be taking on ordering as it is above my job role.
Agency were booked for 3 days a week to cover 150 hours lost.!!
Normally I can be quite flexible but on this occasion I have an electrian coming and a whole room of flat pack kitchen cupboards.
He must ve known he was massively in the wrong to let us work the entire weekend before he put the Sunday Rota up.
No wonder my industry has a job in every place in my town.

OP posts:
ClawedButler · 28/02/2022 12:20

This workplace isn't working.

You need to get out, for your own sanity. It's simply not sustainable to give 10 people's work to 6 people, and then tell those 6 they can't even have a break from it. Your manager is clearly incompetent.

Your colleagues sound like they may be young and fairly inexperienced? It isn't "entitled" to take annual leave.

We have an epidemic of presenteeism in this country, and it's totally at odds with both human decency AND good business practice.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 28/02/2022 12:21

@whatisforteamum

Thank you Bloodydifficultwoman. Does this mean I can refuse to work? Ridiculous that it was booked ages ago and left me in the lurch.
Yes. You can refuse to work.

I would contact your boss and say,

I’ve just seen that I am on the rota for this week. I think there has been a mistake as I booked [date] to [date] as annual leave [x] months ago and have made plans that can’t be changed on such short notice. Kind regards, WhatIsForTeaMum.

No need to mention your plans are for a lie in and a lazy day, for kitchen refurbs, or for painting your toe nails. They are still plans. They are yours. And they are personal. If asked, that is the word to use - personal.

Remember - this is his problem to solve, not yours. He gets paid to deal with this. You don’t.

Original poster
whatisforteamum · 28/02/2022 12:22

Clawedbutler I agree.

OP posts:
BoodleBug51 · 28/02/2022 12:25

I had similar when I worked in care. DH runs his own business, so any time off was precious and I ended up having 2 holidays cancelled at short notice for a part time job. The first time, a kind colleague covered my shifts for me but the second time, I handed my notice in and said I was taking the week regardless as we'd paid to go abroad and I'd given them 3 months notice.

Can you go over your managers head? Or arrange cover and present him with a done deal? But please don't go off sick, that's really shitty advice and won't help you get another job.

Original poster
whatisforteamum · 28/02/2022 12:26

If my gp signs me off which I know they would does it have to say reason for absence or could I say personal reasons and allow hr to contact Gp
This would get me to the end of the holiday year so I get paid as I've lost out 100s before elsewhere.

OP posts:
PossiblyDreaming · 28/02/2022 12:26

Don’t call in sick, that could get you into trouble and affect your reference for your next job. You are legally entitled to the time off that you had booked well in advance. Your boss cannot legally cancel your leave at this short notice. You need to put the ball back in his court and tell him this. He undoubtedly already knows and is relying on you feeling guilty about your colleagues to get him out of trouble. If any of your colleagues complain or grumble direct them to your boss who is the one causing the problems, you have done nothing wrong. Phoning in sick puts the blame onto you