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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
stichguru · 02/11/2023 11:31

To me you are making far too big a deal of this. The manager summoning you in on a non-working day or an annual leave day is wrong. However a message on the What's App group sounds like an informal - "it would be great if you could all be here for this training, but not to worry if not". Honestly if you think your workplace will be flexible, be flexible here yourself. "Yes I could come in, could I rebook this day of annual leave for X date". Also if you are flexible, they are more likely to be flexible if sometime you need an extra day at short notice or whatever. If you think they will be arses and make it awkward to get the time back then just don't reply or go. If you have something really planned for that day, like seeing a friend that you don't often see, just don't go. If they were summoning you in a way that made it awkward to refuse e.g. an email saying "We need all our team players to attend this very important training which you will need to efficiently continue your role" then yep that's rude, because it makes it sound like you will be marked down somehow for not cancelling your leave, but they haven't said that so it's fine.

toomuchleopardprintforanintrovert · 02/11/2023 12:05

I bet you work in care 😅

Annual leave is annual leave. If they want you to come in they can tell you specifically and owe you another day of annual leave if it's that important.

Mostlyoblivious · 02/11/2023 12:31

Just mute the thread whenever you are off next time. It’s your time, you said no, it’s not been challenged and nor should it be.

Manadou · 02/11/2023 12:34

Can't you be in Lanzarote or Pisa or somehwere?

Bopeep99 · 02/11/2023 13:17

You're on annual leave, don't worry about it! You definitely don't need to go. It's not their business whether you're abroad or at home, annual leave is annual leave and you're entitled to it.

Notmetoo · 02/11/2023 13:30

No I wouldn't go in. There are bound to be some people who can't make it so if it really is that important they will have to put on a mop up session.
If you are on leave you are unavailable

ACynicalDad · 02/11/2023 13:36

Only if you want to

sarah419 · 02/11/2023 13:56

nope just ask if there will be a recording available - to avoid “jugement” (not that they have any right to it) i would actually pretend to be going on a staycation with family, and unable to physically be there.

creativegoblin · 02/11/2023 14:00

Agree with others that if its mandatory training that needs to be done then you should go in and complete it and be compensated those hours back. Can it be done remotely? If so just complete it at home this week.

Original poster
Princesspollyyy · 02/11/2023 14:18

creativegoblin · 02/11/2023 14:00

Agree with others that if its mandatory training that needs to be done then you should go in and complete it and be compensated those hours back. Can it be done remotely? If so just complete it at home this week.

It can't be done remotely. I can't make the training as I've got things booked and paid for as I'm on annual leave that was approved back in the summer.

OP posts:
Original poster
Princesspollyyy · 02/11/2023 14:19

toomuchleopardprintforanintrovert · 02/11/2023 12:05

I bet you work in care 😅

Annual leave is annual leave. If they want you to come in they can tell you specifically and owe you another day of annual leave if it's that important.

No, I don't work in care. I work in a large office.

OP posts:
JustAnotherOpinion123 · 02/11/2023 14:29

Princesspollyyy · 02/11/2023 14:18

It can't be done remotely. I can't make the training as I've got things booked and paid for as I'm on annual leave that was approved back in the summer.

Show quote history

Then definitely don't go in. Not your fault that your manager hasn't kept track of when their team is on leave and has scheduled training for the day they're missing staff members. Those on days off can do what they want - theyd also be within their rights to say "nope cant do it" (what if they worked part time and had inflexible childcare?)
You wouldn't come home from a holiday abroad to attend (nor would they expect you to!) so it should be no different if you've got plans in the country.

JFDIYOLO · 02/11/2023 14:32

Stop looking at work communications while you're on AL.

They authorised your leave. You then made plans and have spent money on those plans.

You are not available.

If the training is mandatory, you look forward to hearing what plans are in place to support team members who were on their authorised leave and now need to be upskilled.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 02/11/2023 14:36

Princesspollyyy · 02/11/2023 09:30

No, I don't work in a care home. It's an admin role, large office.

Show quote history

Some admin roles in my experience are a pain for this kind of request depending on your manager.

I definitely wouldn’t go in as it’s your annual leave and if it’s mandatory I’m sure you and whoever else has missed it can do it another time.

Beautiful3 · 02/11/2023 15:19

No of course you don't go in! You're on annual leave! Just don't reply any further and say nothing about it. If they ask you when you're back in, say you're on annual leave, and have plans.

Spirro · 02/11/2023 15:23

Annual leave is the same as days off. You’ve booked 10 days off and they’ve booked 1-2 days off. But it’s exactly the same. You going in for a day is no different to anyone else going in for a day.

If I wasn’t busy I would allow them to refund me a day off and go in for training. But I wouldn’t put myself out or cancel anything.

Morechocmorechoc · 02/11/2023 20:06

@thedm the op didn't say the week off was with family at all though?

LoobyDop · 02/11/2023 20:21

Morechocmorechoc · 02/11/2023 07:27

It's simple for me, if you love your job and want to do well you go. If it's just something you do as part of the day to day grudge of life and have no ambition there then don't. I gave up my whole holiday when asked, but I wanted rapid promotion and to do really well where I was, and I did. People who did only their hours didn't. That's life.

Yes, it really is this black and white. Except it isn’t, not anywhere sane 🤔

Jem123456789 · 02/11/2023 20:53

No

Koalasparkles · 02/11/2023 21:05

Nope. Their fault for being disorganised and planning training last minute. If they really want you to do the training they'll have to plan it again for you. I wouldn't have even replied

Koalasparkles · 02/11/2023 21:13

.

Koalasparkles · 02/11/2023 21:15

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).

Well then, you're a terrible manager

Koalasparkles · 02/11/2023 21:18

GuinnessBird · 01/11/2023 10:57

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.

Show quote history

She's not a bootlicker - she's the boot

LameBorzoi · 02/11/2023 21:20

@Morechocmorechoc That's a very outdated attitude. How long ago was this promotion?

NNobservatory · 03/11/2023 09:47

No, you shouldn’t go in. Whether or not you’re abroad is irrelevant, this is your leave and you are entitled to it. How you use it is your business and yours alone. The message from your manager sounds open and if it was important enough for you to attend whilst away, they should have replied to say so. When you’re back you can enquire about future sessions that can be repeated when you’re available. I’ve been a manager for over a decade and would never expect an employee to take a break from their break, nor book training sessions when knowing staff are away on pre-arranged leave. As for being petty enough to overlook someone for promotion or believe they aren’t committed enough like someone suggested? Please. No need to look for silly reasons to trip employees up. This type of toxic, entitled nonsense is exactly why staff morale is so often non-existent. Anyhoo, enjoy your leave as much as you can.

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