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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Employer asking me to cancel overseas holiday

179 replies

chedderandport · 09/04/2022 08:44

Hello

Booked and.paid for a 2 week break in the sun , leaving in a week

Due to other members of the team being off sick been asked to cancel my.holiday

Has anyone else had this ever?

OP posts:
LIZS · 09/04/2022 08:45

They can only cancel at twice the duration's notice. Are they offering to compensate you?

Sausagis · 09/04/2022 08:47

"Are they offering to compensate you?"
I'd put money on No. Which funnily enough would be my answer, too!

vonniee · 09/04/2022 08:47

Not a snowballs chance in hell I'd be cancelling. Have a great holiday.

BritInUS1 · 09/04/2022 08:48

It would be a no from me

Original poster
chedderandport · 09/04/2022 08:48

Hi
Haven't said anything about comp but I would imagine so
Leave in 7 days and already paid for hotel at airport, pet care and holiday itself so a bit worried

Not going on my.own so would ruin other people's holiday which is making me panic

OP posts:
BritInUS1 · 09/04/2022 08:49

They can ask but legally they can't make you

For a 2 week holiday they would have to give you a minimum of 4 weeks notice to cancel your leave

Arianya · 09/04/2022 08:50

If it’s a 2 week holiday they have to give 4 weeks notice of cancellation and pay any expenses incurred. So they can’t cancel at this point.

YetAnotherChanger · 09/04/2022 08:51

Yes, I’ve had it. I said no.

What are you worried about?

C0rBlimey · 09/04/2022 08:51

OP they have to give you double the notice of your leave duration. So if you're taking 5 working days leave, they need go give 10 days notice. I doubt they'd cover all the extra expenses of pet care, so I'd tell them no.

Indicatrice · 09/04/2022 08:53

No way!

And would they stu p up for a summer holiday, which would cost more?

Letsbekindplease · 09/04/2022 08:54

My employee always asking to cancel annual leave and come in when there’s sickness when I’m off on annual leave.
They’re maybe just trying all options to see if they can sort the sick leave.

Just say no.

EileenGC · 09/04/2022 08:55

I'd only agree IF they were covering absolutely all costs already incurred, and it was a big career opportunity - which in my industry, almost always is as we work on a project-by-project basis and usually negotiate fees. And that's a big if, especially if I was going with other people.

If the thought of cancelling is making you anxious, say no. If the leave is approved, I doubt they can do much more than ask, and you have a right to take your holiday as planned.

kweeble · 09/04/2022 08:56

It’s totally unreasonable - don’t let them think it’s a possible option for you to cancel at this short notice.

BarrowInFurnessRailwayStation · 09/04/2022 08:56

Oh hell no, don't cancel your holiday. They're just trying it on and haven't given you enough notice anyway.

Overthebow · 09/04/2022 08:57

I’d say no if it were with other people. That’s unfair on them. Your work can’t make you as they haven’t given you enough notice.

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 09/04/2022 08:57

No & they can’t. It’s not your responsibility to cover sick leave. And a weeks notice is not really not enough. Are they suggesting that they pay recompense for the full amount you will lose if you don’t go on the holiday?

Iamnotin · 09/04/2022 08:58

Totally reasonable to say you can't do it - it's a 2 week holiday with others. If it was a long weekend somewhere close by myself or just with partner i'd consider postponing but not at all a fair ask in your position.

I wouldn't hold it against a team member who wouldn't cancel leave with a holiday booked.

BarbaraofSeville · 09/04/2022 08:58

I'd almost certainly tell them no because:

  1. you're going away and I assume you're looking forward to the holiday and the break?
  1. you're going with other people and I also assume they're looking forward to it and even if they went without you, their enjoyment would be diminished by your absence.
  1. it's likely that if you cancelled and rebooked, the holiday would cost more, because that's the way it is right now.
  1. Given all the above, they're extremely unlikely to fully compensate you for the costs and inconvenience as I would only consider agreeing if they covered all lost costs and gave you a nice extra bonus on top (£500-1000) as a thank you and gave you first refusal on when you could take the time instead.

Very few employers would be that generous, so therefore you should feel no guilt whatsoever about saying no and going on your planned holiday. Other people's sickness and the management of the company you work for is not your problem to solve.

Womencanlift · 09/04/2022 08:58

Yes I was asked to cancel, I said no, they said ok

I suppose it’s a if you don’t ask you don’t get situation for your employer

Why didn’t you say no as soon as they asked?

Fleur405 · 09/04/2022 09:00

Yes but obviously they offered to pay for any costs that couldn’t be refunded.

Jellyfish15357 · 09/04/2022 09:01

It would be a no from me. I’d be looking for a new employer when I got back as well as they sound completely unreasonable.

Why are their staffing levels so low and why haven’t they prepared for this?

Skyeheather · 09/04/2022 09:03

No chance, your employer can call an Agency and take on some temporary staff... It's the same for most Companies at the moment, they'll just have to cope like everyone else.

NameGoesHere · 09/04/2022 09:03

Rebooking would probably cost more now too. A definite no!

BarbaraofSeville · 09/04/2022 09:06

@Skyeheather

No chance, your employer can call an Agency and take on some temporary staff... It's the same for most Companies at the moment, they'll just have to cope like everyone else.
Well that's not really an option for a lot of jobs, but it's still not the OPs problem to solve.
TimBoothseyes · 09/04/2022 09:08

Say no otherwise you'll be setting yourself up to be the "go to" person every time there is a staffing issue around your holiday dates. How would they cope if you weren't on holiday but ill those 2 weeks? They would manage I'm sure of it. Go and enjoy your time off.