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Original poster

Day off - Can he do this?

35 replies

CatSittingMonkey · 15/07/2017 17:09

Bit of background, my line manager is a micro manager, likes to be very controlling and is unreasonably inflexible towards the entire team. Unless it suits him and his wants.

I have an imminent house move approaching, it's a big chain and we have all been working to exchange within the next week to complete the following week.

All was going well til the bottom of the chain dropped the ball and it's looking like completion will happen in the first two weeks of August instead.

I have kept my line manager informed along the way but on Friday I mentioned the new completion date target and he's blown his top telling me it's not possible for me to have a day off as he is away for those two weeks and I'll just have to wait.

Due to other team members holidays and holidays of people within the chain, if I can't get a day off to move in those two weeks we will not be able to proceed til mid September (!!!!) by which time it is possible the chain could collapse.

The housing market is dropping each day where I am and I am terrified of losing my new house all because my line manager can't think rationally about me having one day off when he isn't there.

I should add that he has no issues with taking a day or two off when I, or other team members, are on holiday.

We are the same grade except he has the team management responsibilities.

Can he deny me a day off to move? I am getting anxiety and sleeping badly with worry that he will be able to stop my house move from happening imminently.

Sorry for the long post.

OP posts:
Loraline · 15/07/2017 17:12

He absolutely can deny it, but sounds like he's being a bit of a dick. If you can make a case about how work will be covered etc. and make it to him then try again. You could also go over his head if you think he's being totally unreasonable but it won't win you any friends

Saiman · 15/07/2017 17:31

Of course he can refuse time off. Unless its your regular day off.

As pp says you can make a case and try and compromise with him.

If a few people are off at work i can see why its been refused. Are you moving alone?

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 15/07/2017 17:34

I am not an expert but I think he can refuse you yes. Unfortunately if he is anything like some micromanagers I know, he would also refuse just to make a point about following protocol and work being important.

Lonecatwithkitten · 15/07/2017 17:38

It is possible without having the day off, but you have to pull in favours and pay out.
I had to move last year on a day when there was no way the business could spare me.
My parents came and supervised/ cleaned old house and I paid for packing. I have to say the lack of this me off actually really focused my mind and sorting was well organised in advance and unpacking I cracked on with every evening with a set target of boxes/ room to achieve. First time in many moves house had been completely unpacked and organised in 7 days.

TheweewitchRoz · 15/07/2017 17:41

He's totally within his rights although it is still possible to move without time off - as a pp said, get external help.

mysteryfairy · 15/07/2017 17:41

Who would approve a holiday request whilst he was off - his line manager? If so I'd just wait until he's off and then request it.

Original poster
CatSittingMonkey · 15/07/2017 17:43

I am going to try asking again with a case, as it were, when I'm back in on Tuesday, it's frustrating as he knows I'd never leave work unfinished/not fully covered off. He's the one that routinely does that.

No one else is off work at the same time, just him. We have a big enough team to cover the work that's on if two are off on the same day. Worst case something waits til the following day - it's never a problem as long as it's communicated properly.

It's just me, so I don't have anyone who can help out on move day.

OP posts:
ememem84 · 15/07/2017 17:44

Absolutely he can. I'm not allowed a day off next month when family are here because of other people's holidays. And we have no cover. I'm not pushing it though. I'll see them in the evening and I'm due to go on mat leave in September so don't want to push my luck.

If you can I'd try and find out what time the completion will take place. Then ask again. If for example you know you'll be done by 1pm (optimistic I know but sometimes it runs smoothly...) then could you just get things in the new place and then head to work. Leave unpacking for later?

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 15/07/2017 17:46

Are you on your own. So you have a DH to be there for the day? Could you get a half day off as a compromise?

I'm not quite sure why it's you out of your chain who has the bend over backwards. Maybe someone else could.

Rainybo · 15/07/2017 17:46

Get some help in.

If you're needed to cover, then you'll have to get on with it. Last time I moved house it coincided with a lengthy job interview! You'll get through if you plan around it, and showing willing might even mean a compromise of a shortened day.

Don't do the asking another manager thing. It's sly and won't do you any favours.

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 15/07/2017 17:47

Is he doing it because he genuinely thinks the business cannot cope or is he doing it to micromanage / make a point? This might affect how you approach it. Realistically though I would start looking at whether you can do it without the time off.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 15/07/2017 17:47

Yes, get difficult if just you.

Original poster
CatSittingMonkey · 15/07/2017 17:49

Thanks for all your suggestions.

I will have to prepare myself for an alternative solution just in case.

That might help my anxiety over it in the short term.

I'm being really good with packing and de-cluttering and labelling up boxes etc. So I guess I could just let the removal people get on with it and maybe check up at lunch and leave early perhaps.

OP posts:
BritInUS1 · 15/07/2017 17:50

Yes he can do this, you are entitled to annual leave, but it has to be at a convenient time for the business, so yes they can refuse x

Original poster
CatSittingMonkey · 15/07/2017 17:53

No DH or family nearby to help.

He does it to be difficult and to assert control, it can be rather infuriating to watch it happening to other team members and they generally all confide in me at how unreasonable he is.

I have no doubt that the business can cope without the two of us being there for one day.

OP posts:
flissfloss65 · 15/07/2017 17:55

I'd leave off speaking to him until you have a firm date.

If you are still unable to get the day off, I would get the removal people in early on the day. Can you go home at lunchtime? Call in a favour from friend, family?

I would not let this stop you moving. Have absolutely everything all packed the day before moving.

Tamatoa · 15/07/2017 17:57

One word: sickie.

TooStressyForMyOwnGood · 15/07/2017 18:04

Hmm, I know the type. I suspect if he is doing it for those reasons his heels will be well and truly dug in. In which case you need to decide if it is worth fighting him or not.

BellyBean · 15/07/2017 18:11

Welll if he's away how will he know.....?

BellyBean · 15/07/2017 18:12

Or go to HR, giving instances where he has been off when others are off.

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 15/07/2017 18:14

I'm naturally a bit arsey and I know not everyone would be comfortable doing this, but I would tell that I won't be in on moving day. He'll be away that day so there's nothing he can do about it on the day itself. After he comes back from holiday you can argue about whether or not it's a disciplinary offence. He can't do anything about it before moving day as you won't have done anything wrong until then.

Frazzled2207 · 15/07/2017 18:25

Yes he can and he is an arse. Assuming your team can cope then it is a good day for a sickie. He won't know if he is away.

shouldwestayorshouldwego · 15/07/2017 18:27

Once you have exchanged could you pack everything and put into storage for a night/ few nights and just camp out with minimal stuff which you bundle into the car in the morning? Then you can clean. Obviously won't work if a large house. Or just get the removers to pack and move and book a cleaner.

DoItTooJulia · 15/07/2017 18:33

I'd do exactly what BlackAmericanoNoSugar suggests. She also has my Coffee order down to a tee.

Loraline · 16/07/2017 07:29

I would tell that I won't be in on moving day

Definite disciplinary. I would put money on your contract stating that holiday must be agreed in advance and can be refused