To find this micromanaging frustrating

[Lemonstolemonade1]

I had 3 days of annual leave last week which was booked and approved a couple of months ago.
I've just requested a day off next week, it's within my annual leave entitlement and and it's not on a day there's an important meeting (which there seem to be many)

Anyway my manager has emailed saying she's concerned I'm taking another day off next week as I had 3 days off last week. Im taking my cat to the vets because they're closed evenings and weekends, that's why I'm booking a day off.

It's none of their business tbh, as long as we're not exceeding our leave entitlement it shouldn't matter. If that day isn't available, fine, I'll take another day. But I'm entitled to use my annual leave however I see fit, I thought the Civil Service was supposed to be very flexible. What should I do?

I'd be annoyed at this too. Maybe reply saying "what's the nature of your concern?"

I don’t know why you’re being so defensive and private. I’d just reply “no reason for any concern, I just need to arrange something at home that can only be done during working hours. I have plenty of leave available for proper holidays later in the year.”

Odd days suggest you might be unhappy and interviewing for another job

Yes I know, and have been SE before but tbh it was worth it to avoid all of this.

All of this? You're a newish employee, settling in, and a manager notices that you're using your AL in odd days and wants to check that you're okay: you're not struggling to work a full week, you're not facing health issues or whatever.

And because of that you wish you were self-employed, with no paid annual leave and no rock-solid CS pension?

What's going on, OP? What's making you react in such a wildly OTT fashion? If you've come back to the CS with this kind of attitude, I wonder whether other people have picked up on the fact that you really don't want to be there?

Sounds like she is just checking in and making a space for you to share if there was an issue eg you’re not coping or have an unwell dependant. It’s doesn’t mean she doesn’t think you’re coping but she is leaving a space.

Just reply say yes, everything OK thanks. I’m just using the time to take my cat to the vets.

Tbh just never knew having the odd day of AL was such a thing.

@Lemonstolemonade1 bugger all to do with her when you take your annual leave! it isnt coming out of her pocket. go above her and tell her nothing! you are legally allowed to take annual leave as and when

I would just ignore her comment

This isn’t actually true - annual leave can be refused if it isn’t in accordance with the needs of the business, plus there can be a requirement to take at least some of it in blocks.

Also, the OP has to work with this woman. If this is coming from a place of concern as PPs have suggested, coming across as wildly confrontational is not going to do her reputation in a new job much good!

https://landaulaw.co.uk/holidays/

I'd probably respond with my old favourite 'in what context?'

Agree with other posters, don't escalate this by replying passive aggressively. Just replying breezily saying all fine thanks and let her come back to you if she wants to discuss it further. At that point you can ask where the guidance/policy is that limits amount of leave taken in a short space of time.

check policy and see if there is any reference to providing # days notice for taking AL or restrictions on individual days. If not then there is no issue and none of her business. If its best practice then just be mindful of if in future. They are lucky you are taking it as AL, some people I work with would go off sick!! My boss once asked me what I was doing when I asked to book a day off.. I paused before answering and he said "oh sorry its none of my business" he meant well, but it wasnt anything I didnt want to tell him, I think he was just making conversation and being friendly.

To me, this is precisely the shoddy of thing Flexi leave off designed for. Presumably you wouldn't need all day either. Is it the kind of time where your can just make it up easily enough?

Maybe she’s just concerned whether you’re coping or whether there’s something she needs to be aware of/ help you with?

I'm not intending to be passive aggressive, I will just state that there is no concern.

Not everyone wants to take their AL off in blocks, for instance I didn't feel that I needed the entire christmas period off, I much prefer just having the odd day here and there.

I don't think this is uncommon. Many employers state something like "at least 10 days must be taken in a row" or something like that.
It recognises that employees benefit from a proper break rather than 2 or 3 days here and there.

Just tell her that you are

1. Taking the cat to the vet
2. You prefer taking A/L in shorter blocks.

Then she's unlikely to ask again.

Yes, that sounds like a great way to maintain a good relationship with your manager…

I'm reading through the policy but can't see anything about this.
This is partially why I joined the CS, I was told it was very flexible with regard to AL, having come from teaching.

That’s just patently not true. What if a teacher decided to take all of their leave in term time rather than their allocated school holidays?

Employers can put plenty of restrictions on when you take your annual leave, provided that you’re able to take at least the statutory minimum.

Just because there are no important meetings in diary at the moment, doesn’t mean your manager isn’t thinking about the business need. Is there a deadline approaching? Will you be missing a second team meeting in space of a few weeks?

I can understand in teaching, but this is something that is clear before you apply for the role I suppose. I can't see anything in the HMRC employee guide here.

HMRC! Can’t imagine why a manager might want to be able to plan who is around at the moment. It’s only the busiest time of year!

I’m with the OP here - it’s their annual leave and they are requesting a day off. Why is the manager getting involved with the reason for the leave - their role is to approve or not.

It's not a role where leave is approved or denied depending on whether it's quiet or busy, mine doesn't operate like that, it depends on how many people are off or not on that day.