Holiday entitlement

[slhb]

Hi, has anyone on here worked for a small Co-op convenience store? I've recently been offered a job at my local co-op, but at the interview stage and still now she didn't and hasn't asked for my pre booked holidays, I thought every employer had to ask this at the interview stage? At least all my other jobs did, anyway I've asked her 3 times if she wants my holidays and she said no just to wait until I get my email from Co-op with all of my employee details (I'm guessing handbook and things like that) and then she said "your not booking all of Christmas off are you?" And I said "no". But didn't tell her the times I'm not here, cause technically it's not "all" of Xmas. The only time I am not in my home town over Xmas is from 2pm Xmas Eve to all day Xmas Day, (I go to a family members way out of town) I'm back home Christmas Day evening and I'm available to work Boxing Day (26th), 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th then New Year's Eve from 2pm I'm out of town again and I'm back New Year's Day evening. I'm happy to work in the mornings of Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. I'm just worried that she's waiting for me to read the contract, that may state that I have to work over Xmas regardless, but I'm physically not here the dates I've stated... everything's paid for (travel etc) and it's an important time of the year for my family, I don't want to lose this job already but I can't get out of these holidays. Any advice, or any info on any contracts you've been given? Thanks!

Instead of asking whether they want your holiday details, why don't you just email them over?

Employers don't have to ask in interview if you have any pre-booked holidays, they do usually but its not a requirement. There was nothing to stop you from bringing it up at interview yourself.

I have no email address for that store of the manager, I've been given no paperwork of any sort. I brought it up at the end of the interview and she said she doesn't need them at this time, so I couldn't just say "oh well I'm giving them to you anyway", not sure what else to do.

Retail is notorious for requiring Christmas working, but those dates might co-incide with the shop being shut anyway especially if it's a convenience store. What are the seasonal opening hours?

You seem to be under the impression that if a holiday is booked a new employer has to honour it- that isn’t the case at all I’m afraid.

You could either wait until you get your contract and get in touch then, or you could see if you can find an email address for HR, if you don’t have one for that manager.

I'm aware they don't have to honour it, I'm worried because there's no way I can be at home on them dates.

For a retail job (or most jobs) you should tell them of any prebooked holiday when you're offered the job. I'd try to go in and talk to her if you can't reach her otherwise.

Also not sure on seasonal hours, nothing has been advertised about Xmas hours, nor have I been told.

Ok, apologies, it seemed like if you were assuming they had to ask, you might also be assuming that they would have to honour it.

Not sure what else to suggest really. Just let them know the dates as soon as you can, and ask whether they're prepared to honour them. If yes, great, if no, then you need to make a decision about whether to take the job.

I'm aware they don't have to honour it, I'm worried because there's no way I can be at home on them dates.

@slhb I can understand you wanting to hold back on giving them all the holiday dates, but I'd recommend you give them the specific dates you know you can't work because you've already made out of town family commitments.

Let's face it if you will not be able to turn up for work on specific dates, then the sooner they know, the better. They could struggle to secure staff who have absolutely no family commitments.