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Original poster

Go in for training on annual leave

156 replies

Princesspollyyy · 01/11/2023 10:02

I'm on annual leave from work this week. Manager has said in the WhatsApp group that there's mandatory training that needs to be done, and the trainers will be at work two days this week if people can pop in.

I've replied saying I'm on annual leave this week. Some other people have said they will pop in (who aren't on annual leave, just days off).

I don't feel I should have to go in on my annual leave, I'm not abroad but I'm really busy and have loads planned.

Should I go in?

OP posts:
Mazuslongtoenail · 01/11/2023 10:03

Fuck no

Muchtoomuchtodo · 01/11/2023 10:09

I wouldn’t.

if it was that important your annual leave request shouldn’t have been approved

dcsp · 01/11/2023 10:16

For me, it'd depend how I was asked, and what if any carrot was offered.

If the manager said "I'm really sorry, due to a mistake our end we need to fit this in at the last minute - I know you're on leave but if you're able to come in you'd really get me out of a hole on this, so if you were able to come in for 3 hours on Tuesday then you'd get a whole day of Annual Leave back" then I'd say yes.

However if they said "everyone you must come in on Tuesday for training, this is mandatory" then I'd not be replying to say "sorry, I'm on Leave all next week"

almondseagull · 01/11/2023 10:17

dcsp · 01/11/2023 10:16

For me, it'd depend how I was asked, and what if any carrot was offered.

If the manager said "I'm really sorry, due to a mistake our end we need to fit this in at the last minute - I know you're on leave but if you're able to come in you'd really get me out of a hole on this, so if you were able to come in for 3 hours on Tuesday then you'd get a whole day of Annual Leave back" then I'd say yes.

However if they said "everyone you must come in on Tuesday for training, this is mandatory" then I'd not be replying to say "sorry, I'm on Leave all next week"

If the manager said "I'm really sorry, due to a mistake our end we need to fit this in at the last minute - I know you're on leave but if you're able to come in you'd really get me out of a hole on this, so if you were able to come in for 3 hours on Tuesday then you'd get a whole day of Annual Leave back"then I'd say yes.

More likely to get come in for 3 hours, and will credit you 3 hours

MegBusset · 01/11/2023 10:18

Good Lord no

Original poster
Princesspollyyy · 01/11/2023 10:23

She didn't ask in that nice way you just said. It was 'please can everyone make an effort to attend' and then when I said I was on annual leave, no specific reply to me.

OP posts:
DuploTrain · 01/11/2023 10:25

No I wouldn’t go in.

Or if it really was unavoidable (and prearranged) then I would expect to have the time back in lieu another time.

BarbaraofSeville · 01/11/2023 10:27

If you're on annual leave, you wouldn't even see messages in a work WhatsApp group, would you?

If the training was important, they should have arranged it for a time when everyone was in work and then not authorised any more leave for when the training is taking place.

It's not up to you to solve the problem caused by their failure to do basic planning and management by losing your annual leave, especially if you're only entitled to the legal minimum amount, so are required to take all your leave within the alloted period.

dcsp · 01/11/2023 10:28

Princesspollyyy · 01/11/2023 10:23

She didn't ask in that nice way you just said. It was 'please can everyone make an effort to attend' and then when I said I was on annual leave, no specific reply to me.

'please can everyone make an effort to attend' isn't the same thing as "you absolutely must attend or else", and no specific reply you you saying you were unable to attend means they're not pushing the issue. Nothing more to worry about here.

mn29 · 01/11/2023 10:30

'please can everyone make an effort to attend' isn't the same thing as "you absolutely must attend or else", and no specific reply you you saying you were unable to attend means they're not pushing the issue. Nothing more to worry about here.

agree with this

Lavender14 · 01/11/2023 10:31

For me it would depend on the training and my plans. I'd ask if there's another session run by the same or similar trainers you could join at a later date as you're on leave or if the session can be recorded for you to watch later when you're back in work. If I was off with no plans and the training sounded good then yes I'd go in, but you're under no obligation to and if I had plans then I'd say sorry, not free. You don't need to be abroad for your annual leave entitlement to be respected.

burnoutbabe · 01/11/2023 10:31

It would depend on what I was actually doing- taking a week off as I have holiday to use up dnd I am planning a trip to nearby town to shop -yes I'd probably go in if I got the time back

Actually on holiday elsewhere (or looking after kids) then no, it's not possible.

SM4713 · 01/11/2023 10:31

I wouldn't have even checked/responded to a whatsapp work message, so no, don't go in!

StarlightLady · 01/11/2023 10:31

Unless you want to go in and take the time off another time, no! You say you are not overseas but you could be. You could also be far away from home, have family commitments or finacial commitments (hotel bookings etc) where you could be out of pocket.

Sarahconnor1 · 01/11/2023 10:34

No.

And this is one of the reasons I won't join a work WhatsApp on my personal number.

twattydogshavetwattypeople · 01/11/2023 10:42

Nope. The manager should have checked the rota before booking the trainers.

MegBusset · 01/11/2023 10:45

And mute the work WhatsApp while you’re on leave!

Aquestioningmind · 01/11/2023 10:48

Depends on what the training is and the job. And why you took annual leave.

If you’re going to end up screwing your promotion chances/development by not going in, then suck it up.

If you took annual leave for a v. Good reason (I.e to care for a v. Sick relative) then don’t go. But if you’re sitting at home scrolling on mumsnet or just going out for coffee with friends then just go?

BUT, regardless of the above, if other people are on their days off and going in, you’re going to look bad if you don’t go. Days off are just as important as A/L and you’re demonstrating you’re less committed than they are (at least as a manager that’s how I would view it).

PickledPurplePickle · 01/11/2023 10:49

If you're on annual leave, why are you looking at work messages?

Original poster
Princesspollyyy · 01/11/2023 10:50

Aquestioningmind · 01/11/2023 10:48

Depends on what the training is and the job. And why you took annual leave.

If you’re going to end up screwing your promotion chances/development by not going in, then suck it up.

If you took annual leave for a v. Good reason (I.e to care for a v. Sick relative) then don’t go. But if you’re sitting at home scrolling on mumsnet or just going out for coffee with friends then just go?

BUT, regardless of the above, if other people are on their days off and going in, you’re going to look bad if you don’t go. Days off are just as important as A/L and you’re demonstrating you’re less committed than they are (at least as a manager that’s how I would view it).

Promotion isn't a factor.

But surely I'm entitled to my annual leave? A break from work? I've got things planned??? Why should I have to change those plans because the manager has overlooked this training?

OP posts:
Original poster
Princesspollyyy · 01/11/2023 10:50

PickledPurplePickle · 01/11/2023 10:49

If you're on annual leave, why are you looking at work messages?

No idea, more fool me

OP posts:
Aquestioningmind · 01/11/2023 10:52

Princesspollyyy · 01/11/2023 10:50

Promotion isn't a factor.

But surely I'm entitled to my annual leave? A break from work? I've got things planned??? Why should I have to change those plans because the manager has overlooked this training?

Show quote history

I’m sure other people on their days off also have plans? Your annual leave plans aren’t lesser or greater than their ‘day off’ plans.

I, personally, would go as people on their ‘days off’ are going in and I wouldn’t want to have my work ethic compared to theirs (however right or wrong that might be and regardless of whether why manager had screwed up).

naptimefavetime · 01/11/2023 10:54

I wouldn't go in and I also wouldn't be bothered if my work ethic looked 'less than others'. Work life balance is an extremely important priority for me and I would therefore prioritise my time off.

GuinnessBird · 01/11/2023 10:57

Aquestioningmind · 01/11/2023 10:52

I’m sure other people on their days off also have plans? Your annual leave plans aren’t lesser or greater than their ‘day off’ plans.

I, personally, would go as people on their ‘days off’ are going in and I wouldn’t want to have my work ethic compared to theirs (however right or wrong that might be and regardless of whether why manager had screwed up).

Show quote history

Christ you're a bootlicker.

People are entitled to use their annual leave for whatever reason and not expect to be called in for training.

Dotjones · 01/11/2023 11:05

Don't go if you don't want to. They shouldn't have authorised your annual leave if they needed you in and they should arrange for the trainers to come in when staff are available.

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