Would like to ask work for time off - one month

[RobertaRivers]

Just wondering if anyone has successfully asked their employer for a month off work..... I've always wanted to take the kids on an extended holiday in the summer.... I'm turning 40 next year and feel the time is right to do this, but not sure about asking for the time off. I work 4 days but would be prepared to work full time for a few weeks before to build up the time and ensure all work is up-to-date etc, any tips or advice to persuade my boss to say "yes" to this request would be appreciated....

How much AL do you get? You should be able to cover the 4 week paid.

If they say "no it too much hassle" remind them that as your having all your holiday in one go it'll mean much less disruption through the rest of the year.

That's a great point Grevling, will bear that in mind when discussing with them, I should have enought AL, I get 18.5 days (pro-rata from 23) plus bank hols. I'm not going to ask until later on in the year so just going to work even harder at getting everything organised in the office. Thanks for your advice.

As an employer I would like as much notice as possible as it makes it much easier to accomodate a special request like that. I would also look favourably on someone who has a list of options drawn up to help me fit this in - I know this is not your job. Finally depending on how your work is structured working extra to get everything up to date is good or offering to cover other peoples holidays at other times would help to persuade me too.
I have one member of part time staff who takes every last day of her holiday in one go (she doesn't take pay on bank holidays so she gets 28 days pro-rata). She asks me around 7 months in advance so usually before anyone else has booked holiday, she is very flexible and helps accomodate the holiday of others and she works 6 out of 8 Saturdays (the shifts everyone else hates). So for the past 7 years it has always been a yes.

Thanks for your advice Lizcat, I can see why is would be best to ask in plenty time, especialy since its a very small office. I will consider how my job can be covered in my absence, most of the work is project based so should only be a few day to day duties to worry about.
I'm pleased to hear that this request is not unusual and is something that works for you. Thanks again

Firstly, as an employer I would not be keen on you taking annual leave in one go. Your annual leave is there to make sure you get regular breaks from work so you stay fit and well. I would be concerned about you burning out and that I as an employer would be failing in my duty of care re health & safety.

Secondly, you probably qualify for parental leave which although unpaid would at least allow you to take the time off (although your employer can defer for a good business reason but only within the parental leave year).

You may find it easier to get your employer to agree to a combination of annual and parental leave or annual and time off in lieu and or parental leave. I advise approaching your boss saying you'd like to take a period of four weeks leave and how would they prefer you to do it? You should give them some options like working additional days but they may want you to split these before and after you leave because a backlog will probably have built up while you were away.

Definitely agree you need to give them heaps of notice.

Yes, I think I'm starting realise that the more notice I can give the better, will think about in the next couple of months, once I build up the courage to ask!!

I love your suggestion about working extra once I come back, that makes sense as there may a bit of a backlog. Thanks for all you ideas, it definatley given me something to think about.