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Original poster

How soon after starting job can I take a week holiday?

12 replies

Cristiane · 29/01/2011 15:20

Background is that I received job offer mid December but background and reference checks are still being done (it's in financial area and needs a gazillion checks)

I think they are nearly all done so will probably start in around two weeks time, so maybe 7th Feb?

My new job is full time and very important to me, I am the sole breadwinner. I also have two DDs that I am going to miss so much with the long hours, I have never been away from them...

In my contract I receive 30 days holiday.

I am trying to plan when I will be able to go away with my DDs for a holiday over summer, and an opportunity has come up for us to be away last week of May. However, I will only have been in work then for maybe three and a half months. I don't want to create a bad impression so don't want to ask for holiday too soon - what do you wise people think is too soon for taking a week away?

OP posts:

BooBooGlass · 29/01/2011 15:23

That should be fine, but it's worth bearing in mind that it is probably 30 days pro rata, so since you will start halfway through february your allowance will probably be a few days less than that this year. Speak with HR within a few weeks of starting. I had to take 2 weeks off two months into a new job for my tonsillectomy, and it was fine.

Original poster

Cristiane · 29/01/2011 15:27

Poor you! Am glad it was OK with your work. Did you let them know before starting or did it come up at last minute?

FWIW, I had a tonsillectomy when I was younger and it changed my life - hope you have been feeling better!

Yes you are right, it is probably pro rata so will be 27ish days.

OP posts:

Hatesponge · 29/01/2011 15:28

With my current employer (in the legal/insurance world), you're not allowed to take holiday until you have completed your 3 month's probation.

Having said that, one of my colleagues who joined last year was going abroad to get married a month after joining; it was booked well in advance and a wedding, so colleague was allowed the time off, although had to take it as unpaid leave.

Certainly there would be no problem where I work with taking time off after 3.5 months, and as we are fairly strict, I would imagine you are ok. Only issue may be if you work as a team. whether other team members have already booked that week off and you going would leave too little cover?

BooBooGlass · 29/01/2011 15:31

O yes, I hadn't thought of probation period. Mine was in the middle of my probation and I was so worried at my appraisal but it didn't matter at all. I did disclose that I was on a waiting list for an op before they employed me, but tbh it came up a lot sooner than I expected it to as I took a cancellation. It hurt like buggery but was definately worth it

WillieWaggledagger · 29/01/2011 15:36

i started my new job mid-september and had 8 days' holiday pro rata until the end of the year, so inevitably took a certain amount within three-four months of starting (probation period is six months, so still just under two months to go). I carried over 2 days so effectively had one week and one day off. THey are very flexible where I work though (don't have to co-ordinate with others etc).

I think youmight have to see how it is when you're there - how flexible they are, how last-minute, when the busiest times are, who else has booked holiday - if you are able to hang on until then?

Original poster

Cristiane · 30/01/2011 13:55

Will try to hang on till then and hope ticket prices don't rocket

OP posts:

kittybuttoon · 31/01/2011 18:56

No one will judge you for making a polite enquiry about having some holiday in May.

Good luck in your new role!

feelingterrible1 · 01/02/2011 21:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

flowery · 02/02/2011 09:30

"you say you have a prebooked holiday and then they can't do anything about it!!"

Why can't they do anything about it? There's no obligation for them to grant holiday. Most would honour holidays actually booked if possible but they don't have to.

I agree with kitty - no one is going to be bothered by you making a polite enquiry, saying you know it's very early days but this opportunity has come up and could they tell you how holiday booking works and whether there's any chance you might be able to go. Emphasising that of course it's fine if they either can't tell you at this stage or if those dates aren't possible.

TryingToFeelBetter · 03/02/2011 17:41

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

flowery · 03/02/2011 20:02

No they don't.

Most companies would, if at all possible. But they don't have to.

mrspercival · 03/02/2011 20:25

I'm an employer . Small company, small team and its good for an employer to start off a relationship with a new employee in as positive a way as possible. But like many things in life its a two way process. So, yes you could start of with a white lie and tell them its already booked and probably they'ld honour it. But IMO i'ld be a bit cheesed off you didn't mention it either at interview or even when the job offer was made. Is it really a good idea to start off with a fib?! flowery suggestion to wait and see, make polite enquiries, see if you can be off at that time is the wisest. You want to create a good impression, thats fantastic. You'll gain most respect by acting professionally from the outset. I'm sure it won't be a problem, most of us have DCs too. Best of luck.

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