Can pre-school staff have holidays?

[MissyChops]

Hi

I know a teacher would not get away with this but what about pre-school staff?

We have a member of staff who had a 2 week holiday earlier this year and now wants another 2 weeks off!

I say she wants another, she has had it agreed by the supervisor, and the committee just get "told" to find the cover for her!

Not impressed, what would you do?

Thanks!

I don't think I'd mind a one-off if there was particular special circumstance. For example, we have one staff member who has had a rough few months, including separating from her long term partner. We have been understaffed for a while earlier this year so she has done a lot of extra shifts for us, very willingly and often at short notice. She's now asked for a week off in term time to go on holiday and we're inclined to say yes on this occasion.

But 4 weeks in term time is pushing it, if you ask me.

Also, why is the supervisor agreeing it? Ultimately, aren't your committee the employers of the staff? I know the supervisor has line management responsibility for the staff, but for something as significant as time off in term time, I would expect the supervisor to bring it to the committee.

As this person has already been told she can have the holiday, then I suppose your hands are tied. But I would get something written into the contracts to say that staff are employed for 38 weeks of the year (or whatever it is), and are expected to take holidays outside of this period.

Our staff have it written in their contracts that holidays should not be taken in term time.

However, they are allowed to request it and it is then dependant on time of year, staff cover and ultimtaley the chair.

2 staff have a week each off in June as other staff are happy to cover.

WE've had this issue and it's something we're addressing via new contracts.

Our staff get paid 6 weeks holiday a year but we had a request last term for a weeks unpaid leave prior to the May Half Term (due to the 'cheaper to go abroad'in term time thing). This person verbally requested the unpaid leave at our last committtee meeting - which we approved as we were confident we could get cover. This is the first time it's happened (whilst i've been chair)so not really a regular thing. I've since created a form to requst unpaid leave (bit more official!) Although hoping it's not the start of lots of requests.............