To think colleague should have asked if I wanted Christmas off before she booked it off?

[SulkySam]

AIBU to be a bit pissed off colleague booked this Christmas off when she had last Christmas off too? Isn’t it the polite thing to alternate having it off.

I started in role in September last year and she’d already booked off for last year before I started. Absolutely fine.

For this year she mentioned in conversation she’d booked it off, told me it had been approved as if it was fait accompli. No discussion and as it had already been approved there wasn’t much I could say! Quite pissed off manager just approved it as well.

Obviously I’ve know for a few months now but it is still making me seethe! She is an older lady, no DC while I have 5 DC including two disabled children.

Of course that doesn’t mean I have priority over her having time off for Christmas (just to make that clear before someone jumps on it) but isn’t it usual etiquette to take turns?

Fortunately I'm not in a job where I have to liase with anyone over my time off. But it's this attitude which would make me absolutely make sure I put that request in. Funnily enough despite being an 'old hag' I'd quite like to be with my family, particularly my mum who is a f/t carer for my sister and my dad to give her a break and to see my brother who lives on the other side of the world. Despite those things not seeming important to some people who chose to have children, they are to me.

I have to cover both her role and mine when she’s off. I’m part time. She’s full time!

That has nothing to do with it. As long as she has followed policy, she is in the right. I'd be annoyed too, but about the policy, not about my colleague.

And NYE too!

Annual leave is always a tricky one but yes, you should have booked it off earlier if you wanted it instead of assuming it’s alternate. Not worked anywhere in 25 years that did alternate Christmasses…it was either first come first served or a separate rota (everyone get your requests in and we’ll do what we can). I’m always happy to work through New Year and then make sure I get Christmas Eve and Christmas off.

It really stings when you realise you got it wrong though, especially if you were looking forward to it!

Anywhere I have worked have a “window” for requesting Christmas otherwise you get people trying to book it 2 years in advance. Then once requests are all in it’s looked at and priority given to people who weren’t off the year before.

Who pissed on your tinsel today?

Complain about what? The op hasn't attempted to book the time off!

Just expected people to pander to her...

😂😂😂😂😂

No.

If there is one thing I have learnt from being a nice person, is that not everyone is as nice or considerate as you. Be an arsehole, it actually gets you further! I'd request next Christmas off now then at least she can't do it to you again next year! Also, your manager should have more about them to ensure people get fair chance to book time off at Xmas.

I would say it is very poor management. As a senior regional manager I implemented a system that no leave would be authorised for Christmas / New Year without a team meeting for each office. September team meeting - discussed and agreed with everyone. It meant it was a fair as possible and ver6 open.

Has @Mumontour85 been deleted? Hilarious.....all that typing a long message and it's gone! 😂

Well she doesn't have to run it by you. Why on earth would she? Cover is not her problem to solve. If there is this Issue coming up over Christmas, it's for management to solve. You didn't put in a request for it.

Drip drip drip

😂😂😂

Oh dear 😢

It doesn't sound like that's your workplace policy so why should she check?

You could have put in for this on Jan 1st.

When can you book for Christmas?

Yes, this is exactly what we do 👆. Much fairer and the expectations are crystal clear.

@Mumontour85 Are you saying I should never have Christmas off as I don't have kids?

Maybe you need some new old lady reading glasses

I clearly stirred up the bees in some biddies bonnets.

That's three ageist, sexist comments and counting @Mumontour85

Quite the hat trick.

And yet you still took the time from your seemingly super lonely life and commented on it 🤣🤣

Agree

Do what @Mumontour85

Lonely? Why's that love?

Oooooh... do I get a flogging for unsettling the mumsnet patrol??