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Original poster

Once hols have been signed and agreed by manager, can she make me cancel?

16 replies

Radley · 25/06/2007 18:30

I started a new job in march, and though I love the job and get on well with them all, there have been issues.

I don't get paid overtime and so far I've clocked up 59hrs in lieu.

I started on working mon-thurs, finish early thurs. A short while ago I booked 2 week off in July, the office manager saw the days and though one of the days overlapped with the office manager she let it go.

Anyway, hours have all now been changed to working 3 days and my mate who works with me (started at same time and we cover each others back) has just let me know that the office manager came into the office querying why we were off together etc and saying that I will have to cancel a week.

Once she has signed and agreed to these holidays, can she change them? I have made alot of plans now which will be hard to change.

OP posts:
beansprout · 25/06/2007 18:31

No, she shouldn't do this. I would just maintain that you have booked a holiday and it cannot be cancelled.

compo · 25/06/2007 18:31

I think you would have a very good case for them not to be changed if it's all been agreed. Do you have a personnel department?

Original poster
Radley · 25/06/2007 18:34

No personnel dept as such, the office manager says yay and nay.

I'm just sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo angry, I've put up with them messing me about with hours etc, I was told that I had each Fri off and we were TOLD a while ago that my mate and I HAD to work fridays between us and having thursdays off instead.

Then they've gone and changed my hours on me giving me 10 mins to get to school to collect kids and 10 minutes to get to work (bearing in mind 20 mins walk and I don't drive) before they changed em I started at 9.30 and finished at 2.30

OP posts:
Original poster
Radley · 25/06/2007 18:51

Anyone know anything concrete?

OP posts:
GooseyLoosey · 25/06/2007 18:56

Not an employment lawyer but look in your contract of employment/employment handbook about what it says about arranging holiday. Does it allow it to be cancelled? Were the hokidays formally agreed in accordance with the contracual procedure?

If you have complied with the procedure and there is nothing specific about cancellation, I would say you have a fairly good argument for still taking the holidays - of course it will make waves.

In any event, I would tell the manger that you have made arrangements and spent money based on her approval so either you wish to take the holiday or expect reimbursement (assuming that that is true)

Original poster
Radley · 25/06/2007 18:59

I've not booked any hols, but I've arranged for a new bed to be delivered etc, skip, paint etc and doing the house top to bottom

OP posts:
Judy1234 · 25/06/2007 19:34

Sounds difficult. A bike might make the walking journey faster.

If they really want you there now it's booked they should pay the costs of you cancelling - any direct provable financial costs. Plenty of banks etc refund opera tickets, holiday costs etc to people forced to change booked plans

WideWebWitch · 25/06/2007 19:36

I wouldn't accept it, no. You asked, she agreed, you made plans, not her place to now try to change it.

TootyFrooty · 25/06/2007 19:36

I've had countless holidays cancelled over the years (as had dh). So demoralising when you've been looking forward to it for weeks/months *(delete as appropriate)

WideWebWitch · 25/06/2007 19:37

You don't have to tell her ANYTHING about your plans btw and I wouldn't in your positon.

BetsyBoop · 25/06/2007 20:18

[[http://www.acas.org.uk/media/pdf/l/j/AL03_1.pdf this] may help

BetsyBoop · 25/06/2007 20:18

missed a bracket....

this

fizzbuzz · 25/06/2007 20:34

Have they altered your contract when they changed your hours etc? I thought consultation and notice had to take place over these things. I don't think they can just do them ad-hoc, although people who know more about employment law may know more than me.

chocolatekimmy · 25/06/2007 20:56

No, its an agreement between the two of you and should only be changed in agreement with each other.

I would stand my ground (politely) and say that you have made all your plans around this time off, you have applied for the dates formally and they have been granted and that as you have followed procedures you won't be agreeing to cancel.

I would put money on it that they can't do anything about it - certainly couldnt' discipline or dismiss you on the back of it. Make sure you have dates/details etc of when you booked it and who with etc.

I would be more worried about the hours you are building up - are you managing the workload or are they putting you under too much pressure. Either way it needs to be addressed.

Original poster
Radley · 26/06/2007 07:35

The extra hours I've been working are putting me unnder pressure, I can quite easily cope with the workload, but I am constantly shattered, I am going to have to start sticking to me designated hours.

No contracts have been changed/signed since the change of working hours.

I'm really surprised that such a massive company can be so lapsidasicle.

OP posts:
fizzbuzz · 26/06/2007 20:27

Shouldn't a big company have an HR department?

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