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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Got "told off"- annual leave for teachers strike

283 replies

Skyblue81 · 20/03/2023 10:31

Feeling confused. AIBU??

Got 3 kids. Teachers were on strike last Weds & Thurs. School said it would remain open, but changed their minds Weds morning.

I worked from home on Weds with all 3 kids at home. It was exhausting, so I then put in for 2 days annual leave for Thursday (teachers strike) and Friday (to recover from my exhaustion).

Got back to work today to an HR call where I basically got told off for submitting and then taking leave!!!!! Yes OK I didn't give loads of notice, but then neither did my school.

Feeling really beaten-down by my workplace. I work hard, and have earned that annual leave. I took it to take care of my children, then have a recovery day. FFS it's not like I went on a bender to Ibiza!

AIBU???

OP posts:
Biilie82 · 21/03/2023 20:42

Skyblue81 · 20/03/2023 11:18

Thanks all for your responses. Exhausted because I work 2 jobs, have 3 young children and am essentially a solo parent as my OH works away. Surely any parent of young children knows how exhausting it can get at times??

Really disappointed to have come on here looking for support, only for people to respond with sarcasm and unkind comments. Hope your comments made you feel big and clever.

Fully support your need to take leave, they approved it, that should be the end of it.
Just a reminder though, that you are not a solo parent and your husband working away does not make you one. I could go on about a million ways in which you are not a solo parent but il leave it here.

Pottedpalm · 21/03/2023 21:57

Codlingmoths · 21/03/2023 20:07

Don’t be ridiculous. The school is on strike. She took annual leave. That is taking responsibility. She has children and someone has to look after them, decent employees recognise that staff are human. They get sick, things happen.

Show quote history

I was commenting on the claim that the poster would take her children into work and dump them on someone to look after them.

T1Dmama · 21/03/2023 23:51

Skyblue81 · 20/03/2023 10:48

Thanks all. Yes I told my line manager. Yes I logged the request on the HR system. Yes it was approved before I took it.

That's why I'm pretty pissed off to return to work today and be chastised for it! Just feeling really deflated as I feel like you're damned if you do, and damned if you don't. It's so hard trying to work when you have family commitments :(

Work places are still so biased against mothers. I’d file a complaint with HR

Pinkfluff76 · 22/03/2023 11:13

Wow that’s so bizarre. I mean you could’ve called in sick but didn’t. Don’t get why they’re making such a big deal. It’s your leave and it was approved. Sorry OP

Everanewbie · 22/03/2023 12:00

Pinkfluff76 · 22/03/2023 11:13

Wow that’s so bizarre. I mean you could’ve called in sick but didn’t. Don’t get why they’re making such a big deal. It’s your leave and it was approved. Sorry OP

Completely agree. The OP should file HR's email under 'don't care and ignore' or if she feels assertive and aggrieved enough respond directly to HR along the lines of 'I'm aware of the process, unfortunately circumstances on this occasion didn't allow for the required notice, and my manager approved my request. I consider this matter closed'

ellyeth · 24/03/2023 19:50

The request for leave was, according to the OP, sent off and approved. As it was approved, why should the OP get a telling-off about it?

I think it is understandable that it was too difficult trying to work with three children at home. Maybe it could be argued that you didn't really need the Friday off as well but, assuming that is a reasonable argument, you should have been told it was not possible.

Jimboscott0115 · 24/03/2023 19:54

The only issue I have with this is school didn't just 'decide' on the Wednesday to close, teachers didn't have to inform the school they were going on strike until the day of the strike.

Macinae · 31/03/2023 23:25

HR would only get involved in something like this if your line manager referred it to them. If your line manager approved the leave, I don't understand the issue. Your manager could have declined the request if it meant a business/operational problem. Your manager could also have advised that they would approve on this occasion but that they'd prefer more notice in future (if you have a policy which states X notice). Our notice is 5 working days but I'll happily oblige a holiday late notice if no one else in the team is off.

I would be asking your manager and HR the reason for the discussion given that you weren't AWOL.

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