Refuse 1 day of annual leave

[Monika007]

Hi, I need your advice. My manager refused to give me 1 day of annual leave, didn't give me valid reason. I need the 1 day of as I won't have childcare for that day. What should I do?
I feel it is very unfair as I have no other option, and the 1 day of annual leave is the best option.

And they are still saying no even with 3 weeks notice!

No friends or family or neighbours that can help out?

Who usually provides childcare, op?

Surely if there is no one to cover then that is the (valid) reason to decline it?

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz

Surely if there is no one to cover then that is the (valid) reason to decline it?

It's a perfectly valid reason. Interesting that op can't say what she's actually been told, and why she thinks it isn't valid 🤔

send her email BUT be very polite
ie
Dear X
I really need x day off as I cannot get any alternative childcare - as I have made a request x weeks in advance to cover this day & the hr advice is a single week's notice could you clarify the reason why this request has been turned down?
(anybody else who can phrase this better or more tactfully?)
point with an email is that you than have proof & it might may her reconsider & perhaps bcc her boss or hr as well

possibly school holidays & everybody wants it off?

Dear X
I have no childcare on [date] and I have asked for a day's annual leave, well within the stated policy, 3 weeks in advance when only 1 week's notice is required, but you have declined my request without explanation. Could we work together to find a solution please?

And copy HR

@DianeCherry much better!

@DianeCherry

Dear X I have no childcare on [date] and I have asked for a day's annual leave, well within the stated policy, 3 weeks in advance when only 1 week's notice is required, but you have declined my request without explanation. Could we work together to find a solution please?

And copy HR

Op hasn't actually said it was "without explanation". All this suggested purple prose for someone who hadn't the wit to just ask why when she was actually standing there 🤦🏼‍♀️

calling in "sick" may mean you're asked to provide a doctor's note to confirm sickness

There's no "may" about this - for one day's sickness you do not need to provide a doctor's note, it has been self-certification for 7 day's sickness or less for decades. A GP would send you on your merry way if you asked for a "sick note". It's a Fitnote.

You do need to just ask why you've been refused 1 day off to care for your child. They surely can't be that petty minded when you've given 3 times the required approval notice.

Why not ask the reason why and explain you don’t have childcare. Is there a reason that might make her decline?

It sounds like they have a min number of staff to safely that have to be in if OP asked to swap and no one could. Presumably others have already booked the day off as well.

Surely this means you can book 1 day off but you just need to give them ome weeks notice? You are giving them 3 weeks notice.

She could give them three months notice, but if there's no cover then she still can't have the day off.

Most places have a maximum number of people allowed on annual leave at the same time and many places also put a block on annual leave being taken at certain times of the year as well.

Her manager is allowed to decline her request if it will leave them short-staffed - it doesn't matter how much notice she gives.

Thanks for all reply. We are fully staff that day. The reason what she gave me was: "I won't ammend the rota now“. As I said I will try to speak to her tomorrow.