Requesting annual leave

[Ladylunchalot]

Just looking for some advice. I work in a different location to a colleague and we provide basic cover for each other for annual leave and illness. We run our annual leave past each other and manage to work it out well.
My colleague is off sick at the moment and has been for 3.5 weeks. I've amended my booked annual leave to suit the service and am undertaking my own duties and my colleague's.
I've requested 1 week annual leave for October (school week) but I'm being told it can't be authorised as colleague is off sick. They might know more at the end of next week as that's when the sick line runs out.
I've explained due to my son's disabilities that we are restricted as to when we go away and that's why October is ideal as it's much quieter. I'm not fussed when I take my summer fortnight.
Can they keep me dangling like this? I've seen a fabulous lodge I really want to book but am in limbo.

I suppose they need to look out for business needs, its not uncommon for a/l to be declined because of low staffing. It's frustrating but not unusual as far as I'm aware. I'll there noone else that can cover or be arranged to cover? Could you highlight the issue with the current arrangements and ask that an additional person is trained up to act as cover so you aren't carrying the load alone?

Surely if she is still off sick come October you'll have temp cover in place as they can't expect you to work the next 7 months with no leave at any point?

Thanks for the replies. I only work mornings and most work is left until I return. The last few years I've had to cover both jobs due to a staff member moving jobs, gap due to new person being recruited and long term sickness. I've worked throughout bar my annual leave and 1 day off I'll.
They've managed before for over 2 weeks when I was on annual leave so I'm unsure as to why being off for a week is now an issue. I've not put in for any annual leave for the next few months but will need to do that soon.
Good idea about asking for someone to be trained up as back up. They just seem to be tiptoeing around my colleague whereas I'm the one keeping things ticking over and being penalised for doing so.

Also, from their point of view, if you needed to go sick, then no-one would be doing the job. Have they got a plan for this? Doesn't sound like they have. Can you diplomatically bring it up?

Im your position I would book the lodge and keep it to yourself!

Exactly that's my worry! I've had to take today off as dh got rushed into hospital early this morning with a suspected heart attack and I've had to stay home with ds.
All the work will be waiting for me tomorrow so no contingency plans. My line manager is pretty useless and hates having to go to her boss about anything, she doesn't have our backs at all.
I'm so tempted to book it but don't want to lose the deposit if I can't get the time off

I think it is pretty unreasonable to decline an annual leave request for October with six months notice because a colleague is currently off sick. Legally though, all the employer needs to do, is allow you sufficient time to take your leave. When does your holiday year run? Is October in this holiday year or next holiday year?

Perhaps wait till the sick note runs out next week, if it's not renewed then all good, put the leave request in again. If it is renewed approach manager about the situation being unsustainable in a long term sick situation, as hilighted by your DH medical crisis this week.

Quite frankly, if they're employing 2 people to do the job, it's because it needs 2 people. So leaving it to just one person, long term, is not in the interests of the business or you.