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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Manager wants the same time off as me for annual leave - AIBU?

133 replies

hhgvbg · 29/11/2022 09:56

I requested to book off a week early next year last month. It got approved by the head of my team, and has been put on our formal annual leave system and on the department's calendars.

My manager has now requested the same time off, and says that nobody is off on those days even though I am, I'm not sure why they can't see I'm off either it's not showing properly in the system or he hasn't checked properly. We're not allowed to have time off at the same time due to capacity.

I know I need to message my manager but I'm not sure what to say without sounding rude. I have booked a holiday for these dates specifically, gave a lot of notice and got the time approved.

OP posts:
bingoitsadingo · 29/11/2022 09:58

Why do you need to message your manager?
If the system is working and he just hasn't bothered to look (or is lying) then presumably whoever approves the leave can see that yours is already booked?
If you think the system might genuinely be wrong then I would raise it to the head of your team to double check that yours is already in the system

Bigbadfish · 29/11/2022 09:59

Do not say anything! If he isn't managing that's not your problem.

JuneOsborne · 29/11/2022 09:59

Won't the system just reject his request?

I'd message him with a screenshot of the system showing that you're already booked it off and have had it approved. I might add that you've also got an actual holiday booked for that time.

I wouldn't say much else. It's up to him to appeal to his manager.

Be polite yet unwavering. You've followed the procedure.

Crabwoman · 29/11/2022 09:59

Just email saying "Hi, I booked this time off a a while ago and it was approved and out onto the system (see attached approval). Just wanted to flag as had been told previously we couldn't take time off together and don't want it to cause any problems down the line".

Original poster
hhgvbg · 29/11/2022 09:59

bingoitsadingo · 29/11/2022 09:58

Why do you need to message your manager?
If the system is working and he just hasn't bothered to look (or is lying) then presumably whoever approves the leave can see that yours is already booked?
If you think the system might genuinely be wrong then I would raise it to the head of your team to double check that yours is already in the system

The way that it works is that we email our teams to ask before formally requesting dates, to see if anyone has any conflicts so I need to flag to my manager that he has requested the same dates as me

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 29/11/2022 10:01

Just say you booked and those dates approved on X date.

Unbridezilla · 29/11/2022 10:02

Really don't understand why this is a big deal. He's your manager, not God!

Just reply back with, "sorry, I'm already booked to be off on dates x-y"

WeepingSomnambulist · 29/11/2022 10:03

hhgvbg · 29/11/2022 09:59

The way that it works is that we email our teams to ask before formally requesting dates, to see if anyone has any conflicts so I need to flag to my manager that he has requested the same dates as me

Show quote history

Then just do it. I dont understand why this is AIBU. What is it you're asking?

Just message him with a snap of the calendar and inform him.that your leave was approved a while ago and you've already booked a holiday so unable to swap. Leave it there.

If the cancel your leave to give it to him, because he's a manager, then raise a complaint. But until that happens, this is a non issue. Just tell him.

DillyDallyDooo · 29/11/2022 10:03

You don't need to do anything, it's your managers issue

XanaduKira · 29/11/2022 10:05

Reply and say that you've already booked X dates off and had the approval last month.

No apologies or anything extra - just state the facts.

SnarkyBag · 29/11/2022 10:06

So just email and say “hi I’ve already got these dates booked and approved for annual leave.”

honestly at this point it’s that simple

TitInATrance · 29/11/2022 10:06

He’s trying to pull a fast one, and if you don’t flag it up you’ll lose your holiday. “I copied in x and she didn’t say anything .”

Flag it up with a screenshot as others have suggested.

luxxlisbon · 29/11/2022 10:06

Seems like such a non issue, why don’t you just say you have already booked it off?
He probably just hasn’t look and sent out the email to check.

rookiemere · 29/11/2022 10:09

Why didn't you ask your manager when you put in your absence request?

LookItsMeAgain · 29/11/2022 10:10

Crabwoman · 29/11/2022 09:59

Just email saying "Hi, I booked this time off a a while ago and it was approved and out onto the system (see attached approval). Just wanted to flag as had been told previously we couldn't take time off together and don't want it to cause any problems down the line".

Send your manager this email. It covers everything.

FatimaHatima · 29/11/2022 10:12

Unbridezilla · 29/11/2022 10:02

Really don't understand why this is a big deal. He's your manager, not God!

Just reply back with, "sorry, I'm already booked to be off on dates x-y"

This, but do not say sorry! Why would you.

Hi X, I have already booked off dates Y to Z, regards, ScaredyCat.

OrigamiOwls · 29/11/2022 10:12

I'd go with @Crabwoman response - best to be upfront at this juncture.

Allywill · 29/11/2022 10:14

nothing really to do with your issue but it does seem very restrictive not being able to have 2 people off - i guess you are a small team. what happens if someone is on leave and someone is ill?

Shinyandnew1 · 29/11/2022 10:16

so I need to flag to my manager that he has requested the same dates as me

So, do that! Just send a short polite email:- ‘Just to let you know that I have already booked the week starting x/x/23 off for a family holiday.’

ZeroFuchsGiven · 29/11/2022 10:18

How do you cope in real life if you are finding this an issue? Grin

KrisAkabusi · 29/11/2022 10:22

Bigbadfish · 29/11/2022 09:59

Do not say anything! If he isn't managing that's not your problem.

I really don't understand this response. If there's an error on the system, this will just cause problems for everyone further down the line. If he knows now, it can be fixed. The OP has proof that she's booked, so there's no negatives for her whereas if she does nothing, there could be.

CheckedPJ · 29/11/2022 10:23

I don't understand why this is such a big issue. "Hi boss, I've already got those dates booked, I've got my confirmation dated xxxx"

HotToddyColdSauvignon · 29/11/2022 10:26

Unbridezilla · 29/11/2022 10:02

Really don't understand why this is a big deal. He's your manager, not God!

Just reply back with, "sorry, I'm already booked to be off on dates x-y"

This?

you’re making a mountain out of a mole hill OP

“Sorry Manager, person XYZ approved my leave for those dates in June last year”

DogInATent · 29/11/2022 10:28

YABU, for spending more time creating and posting to this thread than it would take to send a simple message to the manager in question pointing out you'd already booked that time.

ScroogeMcDuckling · 29/11/2022 10:28

If you really need to raise it, raise it and include in the email the person that sanctioned your holiday.

I take it, you have screen shorted the permission you got, send that with a note

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