DH has a new manager who seems to be very muddled in the way she manages a/l. It needs to be booked on a system and each year DH makes all of his requests in one go bar a few days. He and his colleague can't take the same a/l so are expected to agree between them which dates they both want. DHs colleague doesn't like to use the system or to commit to any a/l requests and therefore leaves it to the last minute (i.e. Days before) to book which makes it hard for DH to know what he can take. The policy is one months notice for holidays but the colleagues requests are always approved even though they don't follow this rule.
DH requested the days off between xmas and NY back in April when his colleague said they didn't want them and he could have them. However his request was declined as his (old) manager wasn't approving xmas requests due to leaving. So DH waited until the new manager started. New manager asks DH what they plan to do. DH colleague would not commit so we were waiting. Eventually his colleague said that they now wanted the time off and so because DH had the time last year, this was approved. Not too happy but fair enough.
Manager then says to DH that staffing requirements would be clear end of November and he could take two half days if staff requirement was low. Staff requirement was slightly above ideal but not confirmed. Manager said he couldn't have two half days but could leave early two days and instructed him to book it in the system. We then made our plans to see family etc. Staffing requirements are now very low and it is expected to be very quiet to the point that DH will be hanging around twiddling his thumbs. However manager has now declined the two early finishes and said he can't have anything at all. However manager is now on al herself and relayed this through deputy so no reason given. In order to use up holiday manager dictates a particular half day to take off instead, ironically one which will cause complications in his role when he really needs to be there. He relayed this to deputy who said managers word is final.
DH is feeling very aggrieved because of the way this has all been dealt with. We also have to cancel our plans. I don't understand what is gong through the managers head. This is just one example but there have been others with al. At one point DH was told that his al would be cancelled, the day before he was due to take it, so his colleague could have the day off instead, when they had only just requested it! In the end he did get it off but only because he stood firm.
DH has no problem with having holiday declined if there is a real reason but this feels more than disorganised and bordering on favouritism or something else entirely. DH is talking about raising a grievance but I'm not too sure and would be grateful for some outside views.