Annual Leave Advice

[Biscuitfiend1]

I was hoping I could get some advice with regard to asking for AL before starting a new job.

I’m at a wedding (abroad) in the summer and have already booked flights and accommodation (before I even applied for the job). Having successfully secured the position, there was no mention of my having any AL booked so I was going to mention it when I started. I’m now thinking it might be wise to get in touch beforehand but don’t want to look stupid for not mentioning it, even though I wasn’t asked.

what would you do? TIA 😊

Yes I’d ask for it before you start, especially as it’s August. Have you confirmed your start date? That would be a good time to ask.

The usual time to mention a booked holiday is at the time of accepting the offer, so you should inform your new employer immediately, in case cover needs to be arranged for while you are away.

I’m a senior manager and would expect this to be raised by the candidate at the offer stage before they accept the offer. Unless there were exceptional reasons not to, I’d approve the holiday at that stage. Given that you haven’t done this, I would definitely raise it now because August will be a busy time for staff holiday requests and if you leave it until you start in the role they may be unable to let you have the time off.

Yes, definitely before you start (and asap).

When I went for a look around of my new work place before I started I mentioned that I had holidays booked and they said that was fine and just to give the dates to the office.

most places honour your holidays if already booked.

Yes, I am starting a new job tomorrow and nobody has asked me for any booked holidays in the run up. So I raised it myself, told them my dates and said I hoped it would not be a problem. They came back and said it is fine.

I have previously been a senior manager and I would be very unimpressed with somebody turning up and announcing they have holiday plans on their first day.

Yes you need to mention it now via the HR team involved in your recruitment. They will likely honour it but you should let them know before your first day