How long would you expect average holiday request to be reviewed?

[YesJess]

Hi all.

So, I usually go to Spain for a fortnight each year with a schoolfriend and her family - have been three out of last four years, including last year.

Arrangements are usually made by my mate's sister and as I've been self employed for last several years I've never had to ask for time off. However, I started a new job a few months after last trip and obv now have to put in a request.

My friend said a few weeks ago she'd let me know about dates closer to the time (holiday not until Oct/Nov). Her sister then text me last night saying was thinking of booking xyz dates and can I come. I messaged my boss straight away but haven't heard back yet as he was with a client today and presumably needs to arrange cover.

For context, I'm a lead driver for a construction company which basically means I'm a driver/supervisor. In addition to delivering aggregates, I manage the daily operations of a largish contract and have to manage things like emergency repairs and trying to reallocate the work when this happens. We work with perishable building materials and the biggest issue is the fact that if we fail deliveries the end client can bill us for loss of earnings which is often the salaries of entire site team who couldn't work that day due to not having the materials (labourers, jcb drivers, ground workers, etc). Lots of these guys are on £200ish a day so it adds up quick.

So my boss has to not only find a driver to cover me (costs circa £700 to have truck off the road for a day) but also has to put something in place to cover the rest (usually delagates between several other people, each taking a few bits).

Boss has been in meetings all day and didn't answer phone when I called about something else. Mate's sister is now on the case saying she needs a definite answer. I personally feel like a couple of days to get back to me with a yes/no isn't unreasonable on my boss's part, given that if they approve it and then can't get cover it'll cost them thousands (and drivers aren't exactly easy to come by atm, and even less those that are competent in mixer trucks and site stuff like off road driving). We've also had a few hiccups with unreliable drivers lately, one who we had to sack in the end, so end client will kick off big time if deliveries have to be cancelled last minute due to driver shortage.

What do you guys think? Would you expect to be able to send a holiday request at 8pm and have a reply next day?

2 or 3 days for me, definitely wouldn't get a response the next day if I only sent it at 8:00pm the night before, especially if my boss had been busy in meetings all day.

In my role it’s usually same/next day. I would secondly expect a response by Monday, if nothing by midday Monday I would chase it

24-48 hours would be normal where I work. Definitely not expected same day, especially if cover is needed

I'd not be sending a request at 8pm at night, and if it was that vital to know quickly, I'd speak to them in person or by phone as you tried to do.

48 hours seems reasonable to me.

OK, cheers guys. Good to have some context. No issues sending the request at night. We have to sort of working relationship where we all go to the pub together etc. Not very formal in the plant/construction sector.

Your mate needs to chill and understand she hasnt given you enough notice. You cant give her a definite answer until your boss gives you one.

I think the issue is that she is deciding the dates based on the available flights/deals, so wants a quick response in case the dates need to change. But it is what it is I guess.

I think what everyone else says is correct.

I'd hope for a quick answer, but for me that wouldn't be same day necessarily. The boss may need to check holiday rotas and confirm cover, if they're in meetings all day then that feels like a good Friday job.

Can they go ahead and book and you come if you can ? Or is it based on a certain number sharing?

Yabvu. I'd allow a week before prompting. I've had to wait for up to 3 weeks for leave to be approved before. If urgent then perhaps prompt gently but be prepared to wait for an official response.

Next day is ridiculous. Lucky if you get it but don't expect it!

Your job sounds very cool, OP

She wants to book the flights.

They want to book it and they’re just waiting on you. I don’t think your boss is being unreasonable but if I was ready to book after suggesting dates, I’d be feeling itchy about waiting on just 1 person. I’d want to get it done, while it’s fresh in my mind, especially over the weekend.

it takes my boss 30 seconds on average but I have a booking app and office job, so very different.

Thanks. 😊

It's hectic at times but never stressful in the same way office work was. There's none of the strategic 'framing' of situations which I frequently encountered in project management and large mobilisations/bids. In that environment the people who got on the best weren't always the best workers but those that knew how to play the game and take the credit/be noticed.

In my current job it's usually a straight yes/no whether something can be done and it's just a case of doing it.

But a lot of the time I'm just cruising around listening to Spotify or audiobooks or drinking coffee and chatting in the sun whilst I wait for site to get themselves sorted. 😎