Page 11 | Want a holiday but 16 year old can’t get leave

Irishmama100 · 2024-05-13T19:21:23+00:00

So my 16 year old has a retail job, 8 hour contract and has been refused leave for when we went to go on our summer holiday. Can’t leave them at home on their for 11 nights 1)I am unreasonable - I should just scrap the idea and no one in the family gets a holiday. 2) I am not being unreasonable - I Should just book it anyway and they can quit and get another job

3luckystars · 17/05/2024 15:07

Yeah GO ON THE HOLIDAY!!!!

Newtrix · 17/05/2024 15:20

Ilikewinter · 13/05/2024 20:57

Why shouldnt the employer be able to refuse a holiday?, just because the kid only works 1 day what happens if they already have staff off on that day?. I used to be a retail manager and if someone tried to threaten me with 'give me my holiday or ill leave', I'd accept the resignation...oh and as a parent please dont ring up demanding the leave on their behalf.

Agree with this! I work in retail and holidays are first come first served and once that day/week is full that's it. And parents ringing up for their children is just terrible, they're old enough to work then they're old enough to deal with this situation.

sleekcat · 17/05/2024 15:45

I've worked in retail. Holiday is refused of there are not enough staff on those days because of other people having already booked holiday. It is always first come first served, unless there are special reasons, which a holiday is not. A 16 year old wouldn't be viewed as any differently to any other member of staff. Really, when you book a family holiday you have to make it at a time everyone who works can get the time approved. However, they are usually happy for you to find someone to swap with, though they won't do it for you.

JillMW · 17/05/2024 15:56

Oh mum, I really want to come! I just can’t get the time off. You go, I will stay with (random family /adult). Dashes off smiling to organise party whilst they are away.
Maybe that was just me and then my kids 😂

buttnut · 17/05/2024 16:09

shearwater2 · 17/05/2024 10:21

Not allowing a 16 year old working 8 hours a week to take a week off with a couple of month's notice is the sign of an UTTERLY FUCKING SHIT EMPLOYER. And if they quit it will be dodging a bullet.

The main lesson I'd want my DD to learn would be to treat it as an example of when an employer is being unreasonable and taking the absolute piss.

Edited

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Agree. Ive worked a few different part-time jobs and it’s never been an issue, so this would put me right off staying working there.

stichguru · 17/05/2024 16:33

Leave would be managed with other people able to cover, or the business being able to manage a man down. If someone else has that week off then it's reasonable the business can't manage 2 people down. Why can't a 16 year old be home alone for a week?! I'm pretty sure my 11 year old could! (Not that I'd leave him, but unless there's some other need, I would a 16 year old.)

MikeRafone · 17/05/2024 16:34

It’s more work for us getting them too and from work, due to rural location that we live in.

even if you did leave them at home alone - how would they get to work? uber, taxi, bike?

What does it state in the handbook of their employment for booking annual leave and what id the reason for refusal? Is this all verbal or is it an electronic request, is there a paper trail?

shearwater2 · 17/05/2024 16:35

Alondra · 17/05/2024 14:40

It depends on your child. If he's happy to stay at home alone, I'd let him be. I'll be cooking for a week to leave frozen meals and will be calling every day but at 16 with a job, I wouldn't think is a problem.

However, it really depends on how much you trust your child, their level of maturity and independence. Not all 16 y.o can be left alone unsupervised for 11 nights.

I just couldn't contemplate leaving them behind if they really want to go on holiday

Motheranddaughter · 17/05/2024 16:42

Mine didn’t have jobs until after their final school exams
Mainly so they could focus on exams and keep up their interests
But also because we went away a lot ,on holiday and to see extended family and I didn’t want to be tied to their jobs
( and because I didn’t want to forego a glass of wine at the weekend ,bad mum)
It made no diffference to them getting into Uni or getting jobs when they were finishrd

cardibach · 17/05/2024 16:43

SummerFeverVenice · 13/05/2024 20:26

I can’t vote, as it isn’t your decision. It’s up to the 16yo if they want a gap in their CV and to have to explain they quit their prior job because they wanted to go on holiday.

If your 16yo is going to Uni or college for technical qualifications, it’s not a big deal, but if they are planning on going straight into FT work at 18, it might mean more to them for their future prospects.

Also, has your 16yo asked when they could take leave? So you could see if you can book then instead of when you want to?

Edited

At 16, she can just start her CV with the next job…

Littlestminnow · 17/05/2024 16:45

My son quit his retail job because they refused to let him have time off on his birthday, even though he asked months ahead. Employers seem to never learn that this level of unreasonableness costs them dearly in recruitment and training costs.

SamuelDJackson · 17/05/2024 16:56

I would suggest that she quits the job - though you should support her decision. This can be a good lesson for your child - its great to be committed and dedicated and available as a worker, but work does not own you. There are more important things in life than an 8 hour part time job. Her time, family and well being is valuable and she is entitled to prioritize it over the company she works for. In the grand scheme of things, she will value a last summer holiday with her family much more than any experience and wages from a part time retail position.

Being able to make a decision and walk away from a workplace situation if you are not happy with it is a great thing to learn - its not quitting but moving on to find something better because that situation doesnt suit you.
Wait until shes a student and her part time job keeps scheduling her shifts on unsuitable days that clash with her exams and lectures, or ringing trying to guilt trip her into abandoning her plans and covering stuff at short notice - the ability to stand up for yourself/value yourself and say no is much more valuable than any misplaced sense of loyalty or Sisyphean work ethic.

Viviennemary · 17/05/2024 16:57

I think you should go on holiday. She needs to tell her employer she has to go on the holiday. Some 16 year olds are not mature enough to be left at home for a week.

MaryFuckingFerguson · 17/05/2024 17:40

If they want to join you, I’d say fuck the job and go.

Wolfpa · 17/05/2024 17:42

What message are you enforcing if the first time they are told no you allow them to wuit?

Isitovernow123 · 17/05/2024 17:59

For me it would depend on where the job is. If it’s John Lewis or Waitrose, I’d leave here to continue the job - family discount is very generous!

Anywhere else, just leave or go sick

Mumtobabyhavoc · 17/05/2024 18:01

I was a hostess in a resto when I was about 18. I asked for Christmas Eve off for family get together. Was refused. I advised I would not make my shift and was fired. Choices. Never looked back, actually.

TeabySea · 17/05/2024 18:25

Irishmama100 · 13/05/2024 23:10

I am not going to name as they are a big corporate company.

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If it's a big corporate then they can sort out cover for 8 hours.

I know a good work ethic is sensible, BUT in this case I'd say the employer is being ridiculous. There's plenty of time for them to find cover for the summer holiday.
I'd quit.

Workhardcryharder · 17/05/2024 18:35

notanotherrokabag · 13/05/2024 21:32

This is a lesson for her in real life. Don't screw it up. 'quit and get another job' would be unbelievably poor parenting. She can ask work nicely, she can offer to take it unpaid, or she doesn't get to go.

Totally agree that this is a good life lesson.

Disagree that it’s poor parenting.

The life lesson is to balance responsibilities with life experiences. Don’t sell your soul just because someone employs you and you have to be “committed”. You won’t remember that day at work but you will remember the holiday.

Refusing a 16yo with an 8 hr contract a holiday is utterly ridiculous, and not a job worth wasting your life on

Workhardcryharder · 17/05/2024 18:36

SamuelDJackson · 17/05/2024 16:56

I would suggest that she quits the job - though you should support her decision. This can be a good lesson for your child - its great to be committed and dedicated and available as a worker, but work does not own you. There are more important things in life than an 8 hour part time job. Her time, family and well being is valuable and she is entitled to prioritize it over the company she works for. In the grand scheme of things, she will value a last summer holiday with her family much more than any experience and wages from a part time retail position.

Being able to make a decision and walk away from a workplace situation if you are not happy with it is a great thing to learn - its not quitting but moving on to find something better because that situation doesnt suit you.
Wait until shes a student and her part time job keeps scheduling her shifts on unsuitable days that clash with her exams and lectures, or ringing trying to guilt trip her into abandoning her plans and covering stuff at short notice - the ability to stand up for yourself/value yourself and say no is much more valuable than any misplaced sense of loyalty or Sisyphean work ethic.

Exactly what I tried to articulate!

PadstowGirl · 17/05/2024 18:41

McDonalds?
2 of my DC had sixth form jobs there. They were very demanding re leave entitlement and one of mine quit when he was refused leave for a national level sporting event he was competing in.
What does your 16yr old want to do? IME no one ever regrets going on a family holiday, PT jobs (esp shit ones) are ten as penny, they'll soon get another.
I think that to quit can be a good thing as it actually teaches a DC that they don't have to put up with such nonsense and that walking away is an option and it shows employers that staff won't be treated this way.

BobbyBiscuits · 17/05/2024 18:43

Does your kid definitely want to go on this holiday? Could it be they told a white lie about the leave as they didn't fancy going? 16 can be an awkward age where family holidays can suddenly appear cringe even when previously adored a year before!
If it's not that, Is there no leeway for any leave at any time in summer? It seems a bit harsh to refuse any time off if it's in advance.
If this is really the only date, then ask the kid. Do you want to come and quit your job? If not I am not sure why he couldn't stay home. Maybe at a mates house, or if a family friend keeps an eye on them?

NamingConundrum · 17/05/2024 18:44

stichguru · 17/05/2024 16:33

Leave would be managed with other people able to cover, or the business being able to manage a man down. If someone else has that week off then it's reasonable the business can't manage 2 people down. Why can't a 16 year old be home alone for a week?! I'm pretty sure my 11 year old could! (Not that I'd leave him, but unless there's some other need, I would a 16 year old.)

Edited

Then they need to make the jobs worth it. I bet the 16 yo is on national minimum wage and a weeks notice, no sick pay etc. She could literally quit the week before and they'd still have to find cover at much shorter notice. At least by asking for the leave she's giving them warning much further in advance they need to cover her.

If you treat employees as badly as you possibly can be prepared for this shit to happen.

321Backintheroom · 17/05/2024 19:24

Is unpaid leave not an option ?

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 17/05/2024 19:36

It’s difficult because as a 16 year old she is bound to school holidays and forgoing any holiday because a 1 day a week job won’t give you a day off in school holidays means you are you by without for very little reward. It’s a shame they won’t let her swap as presumably she has availability over summer to pick up a lot more days.

is there the option to just go for 6 days given that she only works one day a week?