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Original poster

Furlough and annual leave

175 replies

HunterHearstHelmsley · 27/05/2021 22:03

During the first two lockdowns, my workplace furloughed for childcare reasons. There was more than enough work, and we are key workers. It was a good will gesture from my employers.

We are just finalising summer annual leave. As a 'carrot', those not furloughed have been given annual leave priority for the next 2 years.

The shit is starting to hit the fan. I have 2.5 weeks book in the summer, October half term and Christmas - New Year booked. Its fairly similar across the board for others with priority. Parents are now insisting that our leave be cancelled so they can take the time. Unions are being involved and management are having conversations.

Am I correct in thinking that our leave cannot be cancelled in order for someone else to take it? I understand leave can be cancelled with double the amount of notice. Is this for only business critical reasons or can it be to give someone else the leave?

Currently I am only away for 1.5 weeks of the time I have booked (it's mainly to spend time with family children). I would consider swapping the time I have off, but I would want either extra pay or leave to do so.

OP posts:

Sillyduckseverywhere · 31/05/2021 09:36

[quote emeraldcity2000]@Sillyduckseverywhere but at the moment it's being treated as more important isn't it?[/quote]
Good. She made sacrifices on the understanding it would be prioritised.

Sillyduckseverywhere · 31/05/2021 09:37

If she doesn't have a live in family, the chances are she spend the most part of the last year alone. She deserves a break.

Original poster

HunterHearstHelmsley · 24/08/2021 22:23

Quick update on this...

Annual leave booked has been honoured and the promised priority is still in place. I'm currently 4 days into 2.5 week break and it's brilliant! I cannot remember the last time I had a nice chunk of time off so its lovely to be able to relax.

OP posts:

DixonD · 24/08/2021 23:11

@HunterHearstHelmsley

Quick update on this...

Your poor colleagues.

There’s no way you are spending every day of the school holidays with your nieces and nephews.

Lazypuppy · 24/08/2021 23:22

OP i'm with you, anyone can take leave during school holidays, as a parent i don't expect to be a priority over anyone else in my team, i can't believe there are people who think they should be🤦🏼‍♀️

Lazypuppy · 24/08/2021 23:23

There’s no way you are spending every day of the school holidays with your nieces and nephews.

Why shod she have to? 😂 Its her leave to do what she wants.

Original poster

HunterHearstHelmsley · 25/08/2021 21:58

@Lazypuppy

There’s no way you are spending every day of the school holidays with your nieces and nephews.

Why shod she have to? 😂 Its her leave to do what she wants.

I know, right?!

I actually have so far. Now, I'm looking forward to the longest break I've had since 2011.

I nearly wavered. I probably would have backed down but some of the comments on this thread made me feel so worthless. It was almost as though my life was irrelevant.

Its like playing for keeps with you marbles. Don't do it if you are expecting everything to go your own way. Don't agree to terms you aren't happy to honour

OP posts:

Yellow85 · 25/08/2021 22:32

Just reading through this thread and I’m glad you got what was promised to you and of course you are entitled to holidays during the school break as much as parents are. In all honesty though, what a momentously stupid carrot to offer in the first place. I mean, the result could really have been all those non furloughed get their desired time off during summer and all the parents call in sick as they can’t get childcare. Surely they didn’t think that through fully. I’d be shot if I recommended that in my workplace! Where I am childcare is available but not consistently and certainly not many holiday camps on offer - not even to speak of the fact some may not be able to afford said camps.

That being said, once it’s out there and communicated then by all means grab it with both hands. But whomever came up with that should have all decision making authority removed 😂😂

Idontgiveagriffindamn · 26/08/2021 10:51

I’m glad you didn’t waiver and are enjoying your time off.

And don’t feel guilty about spending your time off however you want to.

Viviennemary · 26/08/2021 10:53

Of course folk who havent been furloughed should get priority for leave.

GreenTortoise · 26/08/2021 11:03

I don't think to prioritise them for 2 years is right.

Also don't understand why people who don't have children choose to have their time off in the school holidays, odd.

Fredshred · 26/08/2021 11:38

@GreenTortoise

I don't think to prioritise them for 2 years is right.

Also don't understand why people who don't have children choose to have their time off in the school holidays, odd.

Really, you can't think of even one reason why they ever might need to? Odd.

Overthebow · 26/08/2021 20:16

@GreenTortoise

I don't think to prioritise them for 2 years is right.

Also don't understand why people who don't have children choose to have their time off in the school holidays, odd.

surely you can think of some reasons. Such as the OPs reason of wanting to spend time with family who have school holidays off.

SeasonFinale · 28/08/2021 15:45

The company have not used the furlough system in the correct manner and should be reported to HMRC

Original poster

HunterHearstHelmsley · 28/08/2021 21:42

@SeasonFinale

The company have not used the furlough system in the correct manner and should be reported to HMRC

My understanding was that furlough could be used if the employee requested it for childcare purposes. Is that not correct?

OP posts:

Yellow85 · 29/08/2021 11:56

@HunterHearstHelmsley Yes they can, as long as the childcare responsibilities are due to covid i.e. the schools are closed.

Missfelipe · 31/08/2021 10:01

Good for you OP, my employers gifted a few weeks extra paid annual leave to those with caring responsibilities which of course was taken, leaving the childless employees to man the very busy ship. To say it has caused resentment would be a massive understatement. It’s not my colleagues fault but just another example of a business not handling things well. I’m well and truly burnt out, not able to take annual leave in the earlier part of the year due to a lack of staff who took the extra leave followed by also not being able to take it the last month or so due to the usual summer holiday exodus resulting in again a lack of staff. I managed a rainy week off in May only this year so far. Everyone should have equal access to leave, those with children are more deserving of certain times of the year and I’m sick of being told otherwise.

lockdownmadnessdotcom · 01/09/2021 15:32

If you cant have June and July off then the school holidays are your only option if you want a break with the best chance of nice weather which nobody can blame you for

I'd take May or September. August is generally rubbish!

twinningatlife · 01/09/2021 15:57

Good on you OP

For what it's worth I have 3 children who only have term time childcare/at school so have to try and get all school holidays covered between myself and DH annual leave and begging grandparents (which when you have twins no one offers to help look after them anymore 🤣)
And I thought you were treated really unfairly on this thread. I don't expect priority over my child free colleagues and I certainly would have felt that if I had been furloughed on full pay and then still demanded top pick of leave as being the epitome of self entitled piss taking

Your company should never have topped colleagues pay up furlough - perhaps then people would have thought twice about applying for furlough just due to childcare and made it work like thousands of others had to

PwySyddYma · 01/09/2021 16:10

I also work third sector. I am a lone parent of one primary aged child. I could have been furloughed but I didn't even ask for it. I used a mix of key worker provision and family by moving in with family squashed in to a 3 bedroom house to form a household so I wasn't breaching a bubble or anything.

I basically paid rent and council tax on a property I didn't use for 18 months.

Why did I do this, because I couldn't face the thought of my other team mates drowning in work and also I like to be busy and out of the house it's good for my mental health. Good job I didn't because our work loads trebled.

I wouldn't begrudge you OP at all, I think you should stick to your guns here and hold on to your leave. This pandemic has been back breaking for the third sector as we've propped up front line services from the government.

We parents shouldn't have some sort of monopoly on school holidays, it's unfair. You should never take it as a given just because you have a kid you get the summer holiday off. Everyone has their own personal life and wishes.

I hope you have a lovely time with your nephew and niece OP.

Seagullsstopit · 01/09/2021 16:35

@HunterHearstHelmsley

Quick update on this...

Very happy to hear this Well deserved rest

Enjoy

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 01/09/2021 18:45

My child free DSis couldn't ever come on family holidays with us who had children because so many of her colleagues worked term time only. Enjoy your time with the family @HunterHearstHelmsley

Original poster

HunterHearstHelmsley · 01/09/2021 19:35

@lockdownmadnessdotcom

If you cant have June and July off then the school holidays are your only option if you want a break with the best chance of nice weather which nobody can blame you for

I'd take May or September. August is generally rubbish!

In fairness, I have had plans!

I had a week away with my sister, parents and her children. Plus a couple of festivals that take place in August with recovery time because I'm old

I actually feel refreshed for the first time in a long time. I don't think I've even had a full week off since 2011.

OP posts:

Original poster

HunterHearstHelmsley · 01/09/2021 19:37

Thank you for all the nice comments.

I did waver a little bit, I was made to feel like I should just slot in around the parents and that my life didn't matter. That's actually what made me more adamant that I would take leave when I wanted it. I deserve a break as much as the next person.

OP posts:

Jellycatspyjamas · 04/09/2021 07:45

The assumption that parents have more right to time off at Christmas, summer holidays etc drives me crazy. The parents lives were undoubtedly made much easier by being furloughed, and the folk who remained in work deserve a break at the time of their choosing as promised by their employer.

I’m glad your holiday time was honoured @HunterHearstHelmsley and hope you have a lovely time with or without your nephews and nieces.

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