More holiday instead of a raise?

[GatsbynIzzy]

I'm due my annual performance review for the job I have been in for a decade. Every year is the same story, pay rise, benefits and conditions stay the same.
My DD is almost 4 and starting school, she is going to an independent prep school who have 8 weeks off in the summer, we can cover this with family help and clubs but a couple more days holiday would really help. I currently get 30 days + bank holidays. I'm tempted to say instead of a raise (if offered) could I have 3 or maybe even 5 more holiday days. I believe even with more holidays I'd still get all my work done, and right now a raise wouldn't be all that helpful. I just want to be able to take DDs birthday or prize giving days off without worrying about keeping days spare for illness.

Would I be unreasonable to ask for this? Has anyone asked their employer for more holiday and had it granted?

You could always take the payrise and take a few extra days leave as unpaid

This.

No harm in asking.

I would also take pay rise, then take a few days leave unpaid

Some companies give you the option of buying additional holiday. Mine you can buy up to 5 days (assuming you are full time).

I have considered just taking unpaid leave, but the system for requesting it is a ball ache, the system for requesting holidays is really good, so if I could just have a couple of more days it would be so easy.

We don't have this option, really wish we did!!

Really no harm in asking! Worst that could happen is they say no.

Go for it!

If the unpaid leave is a ball ache, and thats the way it ends up going, make sure you book it as your summer holiday - so just one request. Then use the standard holiday form for odd days.
FWIW I think it willbe rejected as a possibility, as it's 'too complicated' - or at least that would be the answer at my old place.

Pay increase and use unpaid parental leave. You're entitled to 18 weeks unpaid leave before child turns 18, need to book in 1 week blocks and company is not allowed to refuse a request although they can require the dates shift if they have a good business justification for be8ng 7am Le to agree your requested dates.

I have no idea what your salary is but let's say £50k a year.

3 days extra leave is about £575.00
3% salary increase = £1500