Frustrated with Inflexible shift work/ annual leave.

[Advent0range]

Sick of NHS policies re shift work and annual leave.

I know the service has to be covered, but the lack of flexibility in annual leave arrangements (i.e. only two people off at once) is driving me nuts. Let alone the booking in advance and not knowing whether your time off will be approved.

Sorry, that wasn't really a question. Just a mini rant.
Having come from bank/agency I've really noticed it this year.

Common sense would tell you you can only have so many people off at once and yes A/L has to be authorised
it been the same in every job I’ve ever had

you can’t compare it to bank as that is literally just please yourself

and how would the service cover the extra people off, by using bank and agency which they would have to cover with their budgets

common sense also not to book anything until your annual leave has been booked

It’s the same in any job. The organisation needs to run and annual leave needs to be approved

And the same as any organisation, they should have decent planning for annual leave cover for every employee and not leave people hanging.

I would like a small moan about DH only being able to have time off during school holidays by rota so once every 3 years he had Feb half term, every other year he has a week at Christmas etc. I get it & it’s a fair way of doing it but I wish there was more flexibility.

I do understand all your points, and I've been on the other side of it trying to juggle requests and service needs.

Just having a moan really - I worked Christmas day, will work Easter Monday, and now having difficulty getting 2 weeks off in the summer (the only time off in school holidays I've asked for).

I normally book camping very last minute. It's just this year there is a family wedding we'd like to get to.