to want time off work

[takingthepissoutofme]

Through events I can't go into as will be outing, I have no one to cover me at work, holidays, sickness, appointments. I did have someone who could cover, but no longer here. There is a plan to replace that person but at current it's not possible. We are one of several remote units and our HO is based in another part of the country some 6 hours away. No one from another site or HO can cover me as they can't commute and none will agree to stay.

I have not had any time off for 6 months and i'm losing the will to live.

I just don't know what to do.

Not in a union. Its in a kind of manufacturing environment, not shifts, set days and times.

I'm going to speak to them today, i've taken on board what everyone has said and I know this can't continue, I just feel like i have no support and keep getting fobbed off

It doesn't matter how fobbed off you are. You are the manager, not the bloody owner. Stop cancelling your own leave. Book your leave, take your leave.... it's that simple. The Companh don't give a rats ass about you or the rest of the staff so stop giving them more than is necessary.

Anxiety wont go away by burning the hell out.

Update - I took a week off sick, all hell broke loose and they had to fly someone down to cover me, operations were halted for 24 hrs

Have requested holidays for March. If denied will take it further.

You work in a manufacturing environment by yourself? What would happen if you had an accident?

I work in Payroll. Although you can agree to carry over unused leave you absolutely HAVE to take at least 20 days per year.

It's better for you to take it than make yourself ill and potentially be even shorter staffed.

Sometimes you just have to do this. My DH kept being denied leave as he was carrying most of the load amongst several less diligent people, he was burnt out and GP signed him off sick for 3 weeks. Logged back in today to find that him being off has meant other people have stepped up, his manager realised just how much he was doing and redistributed some responsibilities and gave some people a kick up the butt to do their job. It was honestly the best thing he could have done. Previously even when off he would be getting several calls a day to solve others issues, but to her credit his line manager told the team very clearly they were not to contact him with any queries.

Sometimes you have to force their hand. I hope things improve for you OP

You say you're the manager, well manage the situation.
Not rocket science is it??

have you read my post - I can't manage my manager and head office

No, I run a team, i'm not on my own - but if I did have an accident it would be down to head office to sort cover

what country are you in? are you in a union?

does that include bank holiday entitlement? I get so many days plus bank holidays

UK. I am not in a union

Join a union now. It doesn't matter if your workplace don't have reps, and they don't need to know you have joined.

They will help you with the legal side (telling you what the law is) and they will help you word letters/emails/discussions with your company.

Be clear what you are entitled to and take it. Make sure you have made a handbook of your job, tell your boss where it is and that is it. You can do this but you have to learn to advocate for yourself.

Talk to your union.

Yes, it includes bank holidays.

(Based on full time hours)

The statutory minimum holiday you can insist on taking is 28 days (including bank holidays)

Of those 28 days 20 days must be taken and you should only carry them over if you were unable to take them due to sickness/maternity etc. I believe that there actually should be a written/collective agreement for carrying over statutory holidays.

Any contractual entitlement above the minimum can be more flexible in that some companies will roll them over or pay them in lieu etc

But you can stop cancelling your own leave...

frankly?

You weren't there and they closed for 24 hours?
Whatever they pay you it is nowhere near enough if your absense closes them down. Ask for more money too with your new-found assertiveness.

So you say if you had an accident, it would be down to HO, why does the same not apply for annual leave??

So you're honestly saying if you had flights and accommodation booked, you'd cancel it because you're so indispensable?

That's so unfair and you are entitled to and need your time off! DSis is in same situation; company took on someone to fill a left role but they took sick leave almost immediately and her manager has been on long term SL as well. Doing her own role above and beyond and having to take on extra responsibility due to lack of effective employees has been excruciating.

She has accrued so many days in lieu there isn't enough time to take them! I keep telling her to stop working before and after her hours so much but she won't because the tasks need doing.

Higher management need to step in and sort it but they don't.

If you are the owner of the company - how did you let your company get into this mess. Sort it out!
If you aren't the owner - just take leave and let the people paid more than you do their job and figure out how to cope without you!

no but i'm not stupid enough to book holidays without getting ensuring I could get leave first.

Not the owner, just a manager, I have now requested leave through the proper channels and if its denied because they have no contingency plan to cover me then I will take it further.

But you've said twice you've cancelled leave?

So you had no plans, not made any arrangements??

I had plans to have some time off, I don't have to go anywhere to take leave