I put in a leave request on the Monday to have Friday off. The request was for a single day of annual leave to take my child to a sporting event to defend their champion title.
We were awaiting confirmation from the school that they gave permission for my child to have leave to attend the event. And as soon as I had their permission, I then put in my annual leave request. It was just for a single day, so I felt that was enough notice for my line manager.
For background info, we are a reduced team as we have 2 team members on long term sick leave. So that leaves us with a agency worker who has been with us for 5 months. A new team member, who started employment 6 weeks ago plus one other experienced team member who works part time and does not work Fridays. My line manager works outside of the main team. Fridays are usually quiet and considered to be a non meeting day.
My line manager has refused my request on the grounds that:
- There was insufficient notice to allow them to be flexible and make alternative arrangements for cover.
- They want to work on the premise that there is always an experienced staff member, senior grade present.
Whilst I do understand that it would leave the team light on experienced staff members, I think that I have given enough notice for a single day's leave. Plus the new rule of always needing an experienced staff member present should have been discussed ahead of being enforced, so that at least I would have been aware of this and had some advance notice if it. I also think that it is slightly unfair as the only other experienced staff member doesn't work Fridays, so I am concerned that I will not be able to take a Friday off until the others return from their long term sick leave (not sure when that will be). I feel that I am penalised for others being on long term sick leave, which is out of my control.
I'm also sad and disappointed that I will not be there supporting my child at what is an important event for them.
Does anyone else think it is unfair and worth a conversation with HR?.