New job makes it so difficult to book annual leave

[annualleavemealone]

I started a new job recently and have some annual leave to take. I've found it really frustrating trying to book it. I asked my line manager what the procedure is and she told me that you have to both formally book it and also casually ask your team if it's ok. So I did that.

Then I got told I did it in the wrong order, you need to casually ask before you book it, so I did that. I checked with my line manager that what I had written was ok/enough detail and that the dates were ok with them. Then I got an email from the team manager where I had to write for every date I wanted off who else from the department is on annual leave and how it relates to my deadlines. They also made a comment that I haven't given enough notice, bearing in mind I started my job at the start of October and the annual leave period finishes 31st Dec.

I see other colleagues booking annual leave with really short notice, or asking for deadlines to be moved or people to take over whilst they are on annual leave meanwhile I feel like I'm being treated like taking annual leave is such a hassle and issue for them. I feel like just saying don't worry, I won't take the annual leave I'm entitled to.

My previous jobs taking annual leave was so straight-forward and easy.

Culturally speaking, 4 weeks in to a new job is rather early to mention Annual Leave. Any other time of year you wouldn't be expected to take any in the first 3 months if you are aiming to impress and look keen, unless something already booked before you started which you'd mention when accepting the job. Given you started in early october and the leave year finishes end Dec, reasonable people would expect you to take a bit of time off around Christmas - but if the business requires people to be on duty 365 or 364 days a year then the new starter should be back if the queue for the most popular dates at that time.

Oh ffs ignore previous poster. Unless you are told if any rules about taking annual leave before you were do many weeks in etc. You can take it when you like (obv if convenient!)

Presumably you have annual leave that needs taking before the end of the year? If they can't accommodate it they'll have to pay you or carry it over. Just be straight about it, if you've jumped through all th hoops they've imagined for you just say I need to take this annual leave, when is convenient? If it's not convenient how do I claim the pay instead?

They're being dicks, unless you're in charge of the rota it's not your job to check in with everyone else's annual leave! It's simple they look and say yes or no and offer an alternative.

@SinoohXaenaHide why the hell should the new starter be at the back of the queue?!

OP, you need to pin someone down and finalise your leave. That’s ridiculous.

@SinoohXaenaHide

Culturally speaking, 4 weeks in to a new job is rather early to mention Annual Leave. Any other time of year you wouldn't be expected to take any in the first 3 months if you are aiming to impress and look keen, unless something already booked before you started which you'd mention when accepting the job. Given you started in early october and the leave year finishes end Dec, reasonable people would expect you to take a bit of time off around Christmas - but if the business requires people to be on duty 365 or 364 days a year then the new starter should be back if the queue for the most popular dates at that time.

Absolute bollocks🙄

Sounds like management can't be bothered to actually manage the teams annual leave and have passed the responsibility to you.

@SinoohXaenaHide

Culturally speaking, 4 weeks in to a new job is rather early to mention Annual Leave. Any other time of year you wouldn't be expected to take any in the first 3 months if you are aiming to impress and look keen, unless something already booked before you started which you'd mention when accepting the job. Given you started in early october and the leave year finishes end Dec, reasonable people would expect you to take a bit of time off around Christmas - but if the business requires people to be on duty 365 or 364 days a year then the new starter should be back if the queue for the most popular dates at that time.

I’m sorry, but this is just rubbish.

There is no ‘too early to mention annual leave’. I’m interviewing at the moment and every agency and company has asked me what leave I have booked for the next 6-12 months.

The new starter should NOT be back of the queue - how is that fair? AL, particularly at Christmas, should be allocated fairly. If the team are unable to agree between them, the managers need to step in and allocate leave fairly.

That just sounds like a pain in the arse. It’s not up to you to check if other people are ok with you taking leave. You shouldn’t have to find cover.
If there are rules on how many people need to be in the manager should check and then let you know. Be firm. You are entitled to annual leave especially if it’s use it or lose it.
We’re not in the states were 10 days annual leave is considered good.