To ask for day off work with only weeks notice? (Moving)

[ftbNC]

I’m in junior role working for an old fashioned bank.

Generally lots of micromanaging and I’m desperate to leave but haven’t found replacement job yet. (eg office attendance strictly monitored, juniors are pulled up if teams status shows as ‘away’ or slightly overrunning on lunch, more than 5 mins late to office etc).

Requesting annual leave is bit more complex compared to other companies I’ve worked for. Your annual leave can’t clash with another person in the team, and it can’t be take during busy time at work (even if no one else is on AL). Our workload is always busy though because management won’t simply hire more staff.
Supposed to give at least one months notice to request a single day off, and if it’s multiple days/week you are supposed to give 6 months notice.
I regularly don’t even use my whole annual leave because I find it intimidating asking for it, as have to pass multiple criteria and manager may still say no. I feel guilty booking time off when technically entitled to it?

Now I’m a first time buyer who has had an awful and really stressful time with conveyancing (chain free yet taken 7 months!). I’ve genuinely become depressed from how stressful it’s been, hit with stamp duty charges, and extra costs and hassle having had to move every month in unsuitable temporary accommodations (subletting and Airbnbs without knowing how much longer it would take).

Miraculously my solicitor has finally said I can complete next week Thursday. I’m moving into the property straight away too as have been living in temp Airbnb. I’ve typed out my draft message to my manager in politest way I could and apologised for the inconvenience and very short notice. I’ve also offered to take it as unpaid leave too, AIBU to expect to be given day off for ‘exceptional’ circumstances?

Of course you can ask, but unfortunately they don't have to agree, even if it's unpaid.

A decent company would obviously let you take the day!

If they so no, then all you can do is go and collect the keys after work or at lunch time, then spend the evening moving in.

It sucks that they’re so difficult. Most reasonable people would understand, I hope it works out for you.

I’d just call in sick if they are likely to be so inflexible. Go and enjoy your first house and come back to work Monday. life is too short

House moves are knackering even if you don’t have a lot of stuff - you will get the keys and there will be jobs to be done and things to be sorted. You’ll also need time Friday to sort services which is harder to do out of hours

Just ask, your request isn't unreasonnable at all.

Although if I was you, I'd be tempted to just take a sick day, not great but I'm sure a banking company can stomach that.

Good luck on your move - I remember my house purchase as being the most stressful time!

You can ask for the day but be prepared for them to say no. Just pick up the keys at lunchtime and move in after work or at the weekend.

ps congrats on the new house!

I am sad you have to deal with this shite in your job, it’s awful you feel this way. I have no advice but lots of sympathy for you.

You should leave, what a horrible place to work.

that is RIDICULOUS. Six months notice?!?! just take a sickie...

Gosh, that is mad. I have never thrown a sickie in my life and I am usually not an advocate but I would consider that. It's madness. and Yabvu for not using your full AL!

id ask and not be too apologetic about it but just factual - house exchanges do t give as much notice. I’d also raise (maybe separately) that you’re struggling to take all the time off you’re contracted for and how they propose to ensure you get your leave that you need for your physical and mental well being. What happened the year you didn’t take it because you shouldn’t just lose it without a discussion.

They sound really difficult to work for in respect of holidays.

I get a free days leave for a house move in my workplace, and the written policy around annual leave is that if you want a single days holiday, you ask two days in advance. If you want a week, you give two weeks, two weeks, four weeks notice, etc. But they’re not even strict around that.

I hope all goes well with the move and that you get a new job soon.

That sounds awful, I couldn’t work for a place like that! I work in the Civil Service and my boss will let you message him on the day to say you’re taking leave (that’s exceptional circumstances to be fair) Generally, as long as it’s more than 24 hours for short leave it’s fine. If it’s longer (over a week) he wouldn’t say no, but he likes you to leave a handover so if you asked with 24 hours notice that would be tough.

Look for a new job! But definitely ask for next week anyway.

This.

Though the whole environment you describe is totally batshit, I could never work like that. I would always let me team have the day off to move!

just take the sick days and enjoy your new home!

God OP how miserable for you!! I’m in public sector and told my boss yesterday at 5pm I was going to do a 12pm finish today to enjoy the sun for the afternoon….

I’d request it with the facts/bare minimum, you are more than entitled to ask. Unfortunately it seems like they’ll say no.. I’d use the annoyance to fuel yourself to start looking for a new job!

I agree with previous posters, take it as a sick day.