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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:
Dancer47 · 09/04/2022 13:39

Yes, I have been in this situation twice. However, as I was not in a top salaried, critically important and very senior job, I said NO.

rookiemere · 09/04/2022 13:43

It's annoying that they asked, but as long as you said No doesn't seem like the worst question in the world.
They were maybe required to ask by their boss before they got in a temp.

Original poster
chedderandport · 09/04/2022 20:53

Thanks
I'm saying no, have worked additional.17 days unpaid overtime covering absences since Dec 2021 and I'm knackered and desperately need a break

Could take my laptop and work from holiday every day but then I think what's the point of going away

Its known absence so not a new thing and due to cost control we don't hire cover

OP posts:
Original poster
chedderandport · 09/04/2022 20:55

Only.been in job 2 years and because we all WFH for a large period of that people have got used to being on call 24/7

OP posts:
Puzzledandpissedoff · 09/04/2022 21:32

have worked additional.17 days unpaid overtime covering absences since Dec 2021

Again, why?
If it was an unexpected absence and a genuine emergency I could just about see doing it for a day while they sorted cover, but seventeen??

Cost control may well be an issue, but so I imagine would the work not getting done at all - and doing it for free really isn't an answer

whirlygaily · 09/04/2022 22:29

17 days? Seriously? Why on earth are you doing that? Stop masking their resource issues and request full pay or toil for what you're doing. (And make sure you aren't breaching the working time directive because if you're not part time I can't see how you aren't)

At the other end of the spectrum, I've literally just dealt with one of my lot moaning about having to stay 30 minutes late.. as a one off

Newhousesad · 10/04/2022 03:45

Have a nice holiday OP (I hope you still go)

sleezeandwineparty · 10/04/2022 08:22

No more unpaid overtime, where the incentive for them to find new staff if you will work for free? Also it may mean that they are paying you illegally if these hours take you under minimum wage per hour.

Mummadeze · 10/04/2022 08:27

I would definitely say no to this and don’t think they should have asked you given they know you have a holiday abroad booked. You are covering for someone with stress already. Has it not occurred to them that you might end up with stress if they impose things like this on you too? V short sighted of them.

rookiemere · 10/04/2022 08:40

17 days unpaid overtime since December is ridiculous. Thats a week a month !

I would use the holiday as an opportunity to reset. Just because the company is not adequately staffed, it does not mean that you should compromise your health and well being.

I would not take your laptop with you, and I'd make a point on return of trying to stick to the hours you're paid for.

Holidays should be respected, so take this as a wake up call that your company is happy to drain every last drop from you until there is nothing left. Don't let them !

BlueOverYellow · 10/04/2022 09:49

@chedderandport

Thanks I'm saying no, have worked additional.17 days unpaid overtime covering absences since Dec 2021 and I'm knackered and desperately need a break

Could take my laptop and work from holiday every day but then I think what's the point of going away

Its known absence so not a new thing and due to cost control we don't hire cover

Put in a formal request for payment for those 17 days.

Stop being a mug.

Puzzledandpissedoff · 10/04/2022 10:50

don’t think they should have asked you given they know you have a holiday abroad booked

I agree of course, but this is what the "Can you justs ..." so easily lead to

It's great to be helpful within your contract, but with employers like this, a one-off unpaid day becomes "Ah, chedderandport will do it, so problem solved" which then turns into more unpaid days, a request for a holiday to be cancelled, and whatever comes next

Or at least it does if the employee goes along with it, so really the answer is "no" and to put the problem right back where it belongs

MabelsApron · 10/04/2022 11:17

I’ve been asked twice due to other people’s childcare falling through. The first time I stupidly agreed because I’m a doormat, and I got no gratitude for it whatsoever. The second time I refused. It caused ructions as there was an expectation that I’d do it by then, and I had to endure a fair bit of antagonistic behaviour, but it was worth it to not cave. Don’t give in!

(I’m another who’s got a load of unpaid overtime covering colleagues. Try and stop doing that as well. Easier said than done though, I know.)

Puzzledandpissedoff · 10/04/2022 11:29

Exactly the sort of thing I meant, MabelsApron - refuse the repeated requests and it instantly becomes clear that the "Ooooo we're SO grateful" the first time wasn't meant at all

This insistence on passing the problem down the chain to whoever's daft enough to take it on makes me irritable; management are paid to sort such things themselves, so DO IT

MadeForThis · 10/04/2022 11:33

Just refuse. They can't legally make you cancel your holiday.

PrincessPaws · 10/04/2022 11:46

@chedderandport

Thanks I'm saying no, have worked additional.17 days unpaid overtime covering absences since Dec 2021 and I'm knackered and desperately need a break

Could take my laptop and work from holiday every day but then I think what's the point of going away

Its known absence so not a new thing and due to cost control we don't hire cover

Absolutely don't do this. As you say neither of the other absences are new or unknown, so they have got themselves into this. You are entitled to your holiday and them failing to plan cover is not your problem, it's theirs and they can solve it
whynotwhatknot · 10/04/2022 12:07

Yeah youre not helping yourself doing all that overtime they just wont hire any cover will they and are expecting you to do it even now youve booked a hiliday

Happinessislife · 10/04/2022 17:52

Unless you want to cancel, I hope you refuse. Years ago I was asked to cancel leave because of staff sickness. I'd booked the time off as my 4 year old was having an operation. Even the surgeon was angry with me for not prioritising his care. My boss didn't even thank me and when I was delayed into work by my poorly son needing me on the day after the op, I was given a disciplinary caution.

UsuallyAtWork · 10/04/2022 18:17

Lockdown working has created some unhealthy working trends, like it’s ok to call in the evening because your laptop will be nearby!

When did you book your leave?

Poptasmagorical · 10/04/2022 18:22

@Happinessislife

Unless you want to cancel, I hope you refuse. Years ago I was asked to cancel leave because of staff sickness. I'd booked the time off as my 4 year old was having an operation. Even the surgeon was angry with me for not prioritising his care. My boss didn't even thank me and when I was delayed into work by my poorly son needing me on the day after the op, I was given a disciplinary caution.
Please tell me you quit directly afterwards
cherish123 · 10/04/2022 18:23

They can't ask.you to do this. Just say no

Mirw · 10/04/2022 18:25

They can ask but you do not have to c9my unless they pay compensation, usually the cost of the holiday and 20%, as well as first dibs at new holiday dates. Otherwise you can say no. They should then employ a temp!

Mandyjack · 10/04/2022 18:31

If they have already approved your leave then they can't do that. If you booked the holiday before asking for the time off they can

ChocolateNoodle · 10/04/2022 18:33

Your employer is being unreasonable. My employer did this to me once. I told him he’d need to reimburse the full cost of my booking of over £5,000 as I would face 100% cancellation fees. He was just throwing his weight around., arrogant person. He backed down.

Mumontour85 · 10/04/2022 18:42

Please go and have an amazing holiday.

Please do not take your laptop!

Please go to the highest form of management you can upon your return and make it very clear that the unpaid overtime, stress and guilt trips have to stop otherwise you will be giving your notice.