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

[hhgvbg]

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.

Well this is her manager, not her employer. I think the chances that the employer would support a manger who cancels a team members leave to take leave themselves as somewhere between remote to zero.

Honestly, I’m glad that other people have never had to work for certain horrendous managers/employers. They do exist, and they do behave poorly.

I suspect there's a bit of a back story here with why OP is reluctant to email the manager. If this was a good working environment I'm sure there would be no issue, but the manager's reaction is obviously something to be worried about.

All you can do OP is a simple reply:

"Sorry Manager - you may not have noticed but I've already had those same dates approved for my annual leave."

Unfortunately your employer can (with a clear business reason) cancel your annual leave if they give as much notice as the time you've booked off (i.e. they have to give you a week's notice to cancel a week's holiday). They can't cancel it if it means you'd not be able to take your full statutory annual leave entitlement in the same year.

The full details are here - Link to law website but also refer to your contract and employee handbook about it.

Hi Dear Boss
I've just seen your request for X days I booked those day

That's the only thing that needs to be said. No need for the additional waffle. And absolutely no need to say sorry. As a manager they should know how to access the system, and work out for themselves how to get it sorted.

Op I don’t understand your AIBU- just mention it your manager! If your manager came back with no I’m going ahead with my leave you have to cancel etc etc. I get why you would be posting about it but this seems to be a non issue and a tad dramatic to me.

If that's the way it works then just respond and say you have that time off already.

Ok so then do that.

Yeah. I mean just follow the usual protocol

Yes that's not "light"

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.

YABU for making this such a big deal, just put what is in the first paragraph.

Hi Boss,

I see you have requested the 21st to 27th May 2023 off however I am already booked off for those dates.

You said that there is nobody off on those dates, but as per my request on October 25th- which was authorised by Jane Smith on November 1st - my holiday should already be in the system for those dates. Please can you confirm whether my holiday is showing in the system as if not I will have to flag this to IT to fix?

Many thanks, hhgvbg

I don't see the problem either unless you knew before hand that he wanted those dates and got in first- not that it matters on an equal field but I could see why that would make it awkward

If you don’t like your Manager, quickly book time off the week before and the week after too.

It's not rude to tell your boss that you have already booked that week off.

It's sad that women still find it so hard asserting themselves in such small ways.

Terrible advice.

I don't understand the issue. You booked the dates off first and got them approved. Why do you need to engage with your manager on this? You don't have responsibility to approve your manager's leave do you?

My god don't send grumpy's message.

Just reply I'm off on those dates, booked ages ago.

Done.

Come back, OP, and tell us why it’s an issue! It really shouldn’t be. And definitely don’t send one of the long-winded rambles in this thread, or a sorry. Just flat that you’ve already booked that week.

I thought grumpy's email draft was a pisstake of the usual suggestions on here like:
'Dearly beloved Manager
I herewith refer you to the attached PDF copy of my confirmation of leave, dated verily the 19th of the seventh month...' type bollocks

Have you raised it with him?

Back to reality - why can't you phone your boss and speak about it?

If you can't simply tell your boss you've already booked then there's something else going on!!!

This is an 'inform' to your manager. You are not seeking permission or requesting anything as it has already been approved.

Keep it factual (particularly if he is a dickhead).

Dear Manager

I saw your email about your future holiday dates.
FYI - I have booked those dates off. Screenshot below. Requested on 1st Oct, approved by xxxxx on the 7th October.

Regards,

hhgvbg

"Hi manager, I'm afraid I beat you to it! 16-24 was approved last month, I'll check why it's not showing on the system though."

All the more reason to not pander to them with cringey weird messages.

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.

What on earth would make you think that Mumsnet posters would know?! 😂

The OP doesn’t check herself
The OP doesn’t email or ring her manager

Nope… first thing she does is start a mumsnet thread

Mind boggles