Using all my annual leave so I work ‘part time’

[Weloveflowerss]

Hi, has anyone got any experience? I work 5/6 full days a week and can’t really afford to go part time but was thinking of spreading my annual leave days out so I have one day off a week with the kids (1 and 3). Does this seem sensible? Thanks

There was a thread on here about this exact thing recently.

An op was moaning that her colleague had done exactly as you described in your op, then when she wanted to do it too, the rules had changed and it wasn't allowed.

So if you're gonna do this, do it quick!

I think it could be good but do you get 52 days holiday a year? Although I suppose some weeks will have bank holidays so maybe not 52.

When I went back to work after maternity leave I had 6 weeks holiday so I took it as half days and did the first 12 weeks as half days. It really helped me and baby to get used to things.

I get 27 days plus BHs. My husband could use his annual leave to cover the other weeks and also I get one day off in the week every month as I work the weekend. Glad people seem to think it’s doable, was worried I would be needing a week off at some point and will have used all my AL!

Wouldn't u have to book every Friday (or whatever) and hope it gets approved?
And then again the next year??

Don't you accrue holiday? Are u accruing enough to take 4-5 days each month?

Also having zero extended breaks from work wouldn't be for me.

I'd rather go down to 4 days a week and be paid less and be able to take paid annual leave, instead of being paid slightly more with no real leave.

Don't you guys ever plan on going away for a week or something??

It could take a bit of negotiation. On my team there are two of us who cover each other so one of us always has to be in. Would your block booking Fridays mess things up for anyone else?

Not having a week off wouldn’t be great, can you afford to take a couple of weeks of unpaid parental leave, this needs to be taken in complete weeks, so a week twice a year, then use your holiday to reduce working week.

I do know people who have done this but it can get totally scuppered if your kids have a run of illnesses, for example. The people I know did it for six months after the end of mat leave but did end up coming back full time in the end. Im not sure its very sustainable in the long term.

Would your employer be likely to agree to your request? You have the right to annual leave but not the right to take it when you want to.

If you work in a small team and your leave request being agreed would mean others couldn't take whole weeks leave you might find the answer is no.

Also your employer might refuse in the basis that you'd never really get a proper break from work, which is the purpose of annual leave.

I have worked quite a few part time work patterns over the last few years since having DC, and I can't remember whether it's my current work place or previous, but I do remember seeing a specific rule that said annual leave cannot be used to create a different working pattern over x amount of time e.g. you might be able to book 3 Fridays off in a row, but you could not use most or all of your leave and try and book the majority of Fridays in the year off, you would need to create an agile working request.

I don't think this would be allowed at my work (and in some sectors would absolutely not be allowed at all - a lot of roles in finance require people to take at least a week, if not two, off at a time). As a manger, I'd be really reluctant to authorise this as you'll never get a proper break (childcare doesn't count...) and I'd worry about burn out.

What happens if the kids get sick and you have no leave left to use?

Do you never go on holidays?

What's your childcare situation? What would you do when nursery closes over Xmas, Easter etc?

I had two years between my two and worked part time evenings. I got paid extra for doing unsociable hours and weekends. Plus I didn't need to pay for childcare.

There's no harm in asking. I remember being furious at an old job as we worked alternate weeks, one early and one late. Someone else booked every Friday off on the late shift and it meant none of us on the same pattern could have a late week off. I left not longer after but a few complained and some of the leave ended up being cancelled. That wouldn't be ideal if you were relying on it for childcare.

Could you look at doing a 9 day fortnight? I do this and it doesn't make that much difference to the working day. I do 7.30am - 4.30pm instead of 8am - 4pm

I think if it was me I’d miss the chance to have a chunk of time off. But maybe you could do a mixture

I wouldn't do it, because having a holiday, planning a holiday, looking forward to a holiday; are too important to me.

I wouldn't do this if I were you
You will be burnt out never having a proper break and you will be doing the full workload in essentially part time hours.
Your kids will be fine. You said you have a day off in the week when you work weekends so you could just make the most of that and have some term time holidays whilst you can

Your employer might specify that you have to take a week or 2 weeks at certain times of the year so may not allow you to take 1 day off each week. It could also cause an issue with other staff if they want to take annual leave. Have you even asked if it would be allowed?

This wouldn't be allowed in my workplace because it will inevitably lead to you feeling burnt out, having not had an actual break.

So you'd never have a one- or two-week holiday and your kids would be in childcare four days a week, 52 weeks a year? That doesn't sound like a healthy pattern of living. They need proper downtime as much as you do.

I was going to say this - part time roles have expectations that a certain amount of work will be carried out in those part time hours.

If you work a full time role but use all your leave to go ‘part time’ the workload is still effectively a full time job, plus you’ll never get a chunk of time off to properly recuperate.

I did it for 2 months over lockdown but my role was already part time (went from 3 days a week to 2 days using a/l as I wasn’t coping wfh and caring for 16 month old DD) but it was agreed as a short term measure.

Thanks everyone, I just feel so guilty about working so much and worried they will hate me. Plus they are both exhausted as they are out at 7am and don’t get back until 6pm so I feel one less day would do them the world of good at the expense of what I want. My work are very good and are happy with this and does not penalise anyone else.

Omg this sounds exhausting. Don’t do it.

Wouldn’t be allowed where I work. And what if they turned your request for leave down? It would also stop some other people from getting that day off, and that’s not fair. In a short term situation, it might be ok, but no long term.