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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:
MyCommentWasDeleted · 09/04/2022 09:42

If the compensation makes it worth cancelling then I would do it but I’d make very clear what that amount needs to be.

Grandville · 09/04/2022 09:48

Enjoy your time off and sunny holiday!

SaintJavelin · 09/04/2022 09:48

It's not your problem and it's not just your holiday you'd be ruining.

Blimecory · 09/04/2022 09:49

@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.
Er, for lots of jobs you can’t do that.
PurpleFlower1983 · 09/04/2022 09:54

It would be a no from me!

Toddlerteaplease · 09/04/2022 09:57

No chance, you need a break too!

Toddlerteaplease · 09/04/2022 09:58

I think they have to ask. You don't have to say yes.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 09/04/2022 10:01

Work is very short staffed and I now feel guilty at having a holiday booked

Why?
At this time of year, knowing people have holidays sorted it was up to them to sort cover in whatever way, so I'm not sure why you'd feel it's your problem if they've failed to

Frannyhy · 09/04/2022 10:04

I’ve got a friend who was in a similar situation. Her boss has found agency staff are in short supply because they are all sick as well. He simply can’t get cover.

He offered to pay all cancellation fees related to her holiday, and some compensation to her and her partner.

She still said no.

Good for her.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 09/04/2022 10:06

If they insist, just go sick those two weeks

No, please don't take that silly way out. If they're behaving badly there's nothing to be gained by doing the same, especially when you're already in the right - and besides you may need a reference from them one day

Original poster
chedderandport · 09/04/2022 10:09

Thanks , yes work is aware that I'm abroad for those 2 weeks

Still would be a no even with compensation as respite care has had to.be arranged for those 2 weeks so we can go away , and that's been quite tough to arrange

Thanks for everybody who responded, I wasn't aware that employer had to give 4 weeks notice to cancel a 2 week holiday so have been worried I would be made to cancel a day or so before!

OP posts:
Beautiful3 · 09/04/2022 10:09

I've had it, I said no. They can't do anything about it because you had leave approved. You did nothing wrong. In the end they hired agency staff to cover sickness.

Cameleongirl · 09/04/2022 10:11

@SmugOldBag

Dear god no. I've been 'asked' before and said a firm no on the basis that it's not just my holiday and it would hugely effect other people (no kids but my DH and a good few other friends). This is not your problem.

A colleague was 'told' to cancel an extraordinarily expensive holiday to Goa once with his DH bit they not only paid for the canx fees for it but told him to book again for another time but for a week longer and they would pay the lot and about him business class. He happily agreed!

That offer I would take, @SmugOldBag.😂. Anything else, no.
Brefugee · 09/04/2022 10:23

TL;DR: not unreasonable for boss to ask; not unreasonable to say no.

agree, if the company is in a bit of a pickle, there is no harm in asking.

having said that i'd also take the offer as outlined by @SmugOldBag

BobHadBitchTits · 09/04/2022 10:25

I wish I'd known about the twice as long rule when I was younger.

A manager cancelled my holiday with a weeks notice (I was going aboard for a week) due to being short staffed so I just handed my notice in.

She was a prick.

Itsbackagain · 09/04/2022 10:37

Not unreasonable to ask but you an say no.

ilovebrie8 · 09/04/2022 10:38

It’s ok to ask but I’d say no, it’s far too a late notice and don’t feel bad . A simple no it’s not possible at this late stage...some places do try it on ...

OnlyTheTitosaurusOfTheIceberg · 09/04/2022 10:46

@BobHadBitchTits

I wish I'd known about the twice as long rule when I was younger.

A manager cancelled my holiday with a weeks notice (I was going aboard for a week) due to being short staffed so I just handed my notice in.

She was a prick.

As highlighted upthread, there is no such rule unless your contract states it.
BungleandGeorge · 09/04/2022 10:48

Are all your colleagues on long term sick? Surely some will be back before you go anyway

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 09/04/2022 10:50

Yes I work for the NHS and would cancel holiday to help out but NOT a week before a booked holiday. Sod that.

lovescats3 · 09/04/2022 11:09

Think about it would they cancel their holiday? Just say no

lovescats3 · 09/04/2022 11:09

And it doesn't matter whether it's overseas or not

DebtheSander · 09/04/2022 11:10

You are absolutely right to stick to your guns. It is not your fault that staff absences are so high.

As an aside, any employer should have contingency plans in place for this type of situation for the next few months. Covid cases are still high so sickness absences will be high. Possibly millions of people have got delayed holidays booked for this spring and summer. Delayed, longed for holidays that perhaps can’t be pushed back again.

There will be work places up and down the country where staff are due to go on holiday but staff absences are high. I would have thought that a wise employer would have plans in place rather than ask an employee to cancel the holiday that we are all so desperate for.

As a PP pointed out, you won’t be thanked for cancelling. No one will think “they owe you one”. But you will become the go to person when the shit is hitting the fan.

whynotwhatknot · 09/04/2022 11:11

Not at this short notice no

how do they know people will still be off sick in 7 days still

TheMarvelousMrsMaisel · 09/04/2022 11:13

No I'd refuse. They have no legal ground to make you, if they sack you over it they'd have a law suit on their hands.

Go and enjoy your holiday. Not your problem.

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