Unfair or not ?

[Esseyexxx]

I started a new job 2 weeks ago, didn’t ask me about holidays etc when I was interviewed or when I joined. My second day I booked of 1 day in June (6 months away) my OH booked us a weekend away last year so had been planned for months. My manager said I’ll see if you can have it off, today she said no I can’t have it off as she is off that day. Is this unfair? We’re going to lose hundreds of £. I could understand if I already worked there and booked without asking but I don’t think this is fair at all?

They may not have asked the question, but knowing you had a holiday booked why didn't you mention it?

To be honest it was the last thing on my mind whilst I was trying to make a good impression at interview, to tell them I wanted days off before I’d even been offered the job

Ridiculous for 1 day in 5 months time

Personally I’d just reply in writing confirming that you will be unable to work on that date due to a holiday that was booked before you accepted the job, of which you let them know at the earliest opportunity upon accepting employment with them to enable adequate time for them to make arrangements to cover.
They’re just trying to be awkward, 1 day in 6 months time is easy for them to sort.

Its depends, if there's only 2 of you doing the job, its not unreasonable for her to turn if she's already booked the day off.

It is usual to mention pre-booked holidays before taking a new job.

Not sure why it would be “unfair”. Disappointing, certainly. But if she’s got the day booked off already for something and you can’t both be off together, what would you like her to do? Are you saying it’s unfair of her not to cancel her event so that you can attend yours?

Is there any other option for ensuring there is sufficient cover at work? Presenting her with a solution is the most likely way of getting you what you want.

Have you explored changing the date of your weekend away, or going late, or anything else?

There’s a team of 6 of us. So not just me and her

Even with a team of 6, if there are already several off that day they might not have enough cover if you have the day off as well. Or it could be that they know that is going to be a particularly busy time and they need all hands on deck.

They do not have to agree to your holiday request. It is not unfair. It just happens sometimes.

I would strongly recommend against following SmitheringSmithison's advice if you want to keep this job.

Yes it is perfectly fair and legal to decline your request. There may be others already off. Tbh you should have mentioned it before you started as most companies will honour prearranged holidays unless there is a specific reason not to.

I didn’t ask if it was legal or not. I asked on my second day and considering the 1 day off is nearly half a year away I consider that enough notice.

It doesn't really matter what you think, they may organise rotas months in advance & they can of course refuse. It may be an indication of how they are to work for though.

It’s a bit shit for the sake of one day but you don’t really have a leg to stand on x

How much notice is irrelevant. We are currently declining holiday requests for certain weeks in June & August as we can only have certain people off together.

People are being a little harsh on the OP!

If I've thought a candidate is likely to be successful, I always ask about their future holiday plans. Candidates are nervous enough without having to remember that kind of stuff.

When I last interviewed for a job, I was asked about holiday. Told them I had a long weekend booked in x month, which would require a Monday and Tuesday off. They said fine but didn't further enquire. Turned out the were 2 of the 3 days it was pretty crucial I was in. Holiday booked before I started. They sorted it out.

"Fair" and "Unfair" are not terms that help you, though, OP.

Whether it seems unfair to you or not, they have declined your request. As they are entitled to do.
It's quite usual to mention pre-booked holidays at the point that you accept the job. As you didn't, now you're just "in the queue" with everyone else. And unfortunately for you, you're now behind all the other employees who have already put in requests for this year.

Can your DP change the booking to another weekend?

If not, your best bet is to speak very nicely to your manager and ask whether there is any flexibility in the rota, and explain again that this was pre-booked, and you realise now you should have mentioned it before, but is there anything at all she can do to help? Be very nice about it. Make sure you stress that this is a one-off situation and of course you wouldn't book anything from now on without having the leave agreed first.

I had something similar happen to me a few years ago , I worked a 1-5 shift on a Friday and had planned to be away a certain weekend Friday to Sunday. I did mention it at my interview or just after I started work (or both). We used to cover some absence with casual staff.

Anyway near the time I was supposed to have the weekend away my boss decided that she didn't want to book casual staff as she was using up too much of her budget and said I couldn't take the afternoon off. I wasn't best pleased but I got around it to an extent by swapping with someone on the morning shift. So at least we were able to get away just after 1pm. Fortunately I wasn't flying anywhere so wasn't tied into a certain departure time.

I think you need to get these things in writing (email) before you start a job.