Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Work

Chat with other users about all things related to working life on our Work forum.

Original poster

Holiday request - denied

39 replies

DamnAllTheJellyfish · 19/02/2024 21:03

I'm in a new employment, only been here 10 weeks so far. I was asked for a list of my holidays which I gave within the 2nd week, one of which included the dates 23rd-27th December (2 of which would be closed for Bank Holidays) as my new manager was looking through my list, he stopped at that one and looked at me and I stupidly said that my sister wanted me to go on holiday with her for Christmas (I should have said it was already booked) Anyway he simply said well that would be a NO, we don't allow holidays booked in December.

I took it at face value as lots of companies have this as a rule (although I was surprised that this one did, as it would be no busier this time of year etc) Anyway i got my contract a week or so later and there was NOTHING mentioned about not taking time off In December.

So I had to officially request my holidays through the hr platform and I put those Xmas dates down as well thinking they can't be denied without good reason...email today just saying the dates and holiday request denied.

It Is a small family run business, hr is my managers wife. It is a brand new franchise for them and they are not on site, me and a colleague are running the show for them.

What should I do now? I stupidly run the idea of a family christmas holiday (my parents too) past the kids before I requested the leave and they will be devastated but I am a massive introvert/people pleaser and hate any kind of conflict but the only way I can move forward on this is to ring them, or do I just give up and accept this now?

Any advice?

OP posts:
EbonyRaven · 19/02/2024 23:22

Is it a certain cheap budget hotel @DamnAllTheJellyfish Or are you a carer? There's not many places that are open Christmas Day and Boxing Day and desperate for their staff to work. They are also very likely to give someone a job on the spot, as they are desperate for staff, and struggle to keep them. As a pp said, offering you a job on the spot is WELL suspicious!

TeenLifeMum · 19/02/2024 23:23

Can you get them to confirm you’ll get the following year?

Lesson learned though, always agree leave at job offer negotiation stage as they can absolutely say no.

Original poster
DamnAllTheJellyfish · 20/02/2024 08:07

I think lots of things have been missed along the way on this thread, a couple of key things being that the place I work is closed christmas day and boxing day and not any busier (probably quiter) around that time.

I was under the impression that if leave was restricted at a certain time of year, then it would be laid out clearly in the contract.

But I accept that I will have to suck it up, I was hoping to appeal the decision somehow, get the reason of my refusal in writing so that I can question it if and when he or others get time off In the same period.

OP posts:
PurBal · 20/02/2024 08:17

I’d be looking for a new job OP. And I’d tell them that the contract didn’t include exclusion of December holidays and that’s why. From what you’ve written I suspect your boss just wants all the time to himself. I used to work for a company where 9 weeks of the year were restricted on holiday and it was very clearly laid out, there was a casual agreement that between Christmas and NY was off for most staff as office was closed (not free but using AL) but new manager came in and suddenly we were all working…

Atichen · 20/02/2024 10:49

Local government work here (not essential/24 hours) for comparison ...

There's nothing in my contract about christmas...the leave policy (different from contract) does say 'leave will not normal be refused ... unless it would impact on the department'

However as everyone normally wants christmas leave as a department it has been decided by head of service we can't book leave in Dec untill sep/oct (nothing offical anywhere just what the managers have bern told) we all put in a wish list of what we want off (as department need to have cover) normally someone will be working each day (out of a team of 15) so everyone can have time off at some point) its hard on people wanting to book to go away in advance, but fairer on people who aren't sure in March what they are doing in Dec (me) ...otherwise it be tempted to ask for it all and then cancel closer to the time.

DevaleraSpawnOfSatan · 20/02/2024 10:55

Is it a job or a career, if it is only a job find another one, if it is a career suck it and learn and move on.

Also, you need to balance what it is like the rest of the year.

2chocolateoranges · 20/02/2024 10:59

Sounds like your bosses take that as their annual leave and therefore need you to run the place so they can enjoy their holidays.

i wouldn’t give up the job if you enjoy it but lesson learned. Always say you have a holiday booked when starting a new job, even if it’s just in the pipeline.

AM130674 · 20/02/2024 11:08

My employer won't accept requests for leave at Christmas until October.

Coconutter24 · 20/02/2024 13:38

DamnAllTheJellyfish · 19/02/2024 21:44

I was told that after I told him that it hadn't been booked, I only requested it officially because it didn't state specifically In the contract that it wasn't allowed like every contract I'd had previously so thought he was trying it on a bit, especially as he'd asked me to cover 3 of his shifts the week between christmas and new year.

I will live and learn not to be a doormat in my next job hopefully lol.

Show quote history

So you was told no after you mentioned it, I can understand you trying to officially book just incase they changed their mind but as they already said no and then declined I’d just leave it at that.

fleurneige · 20/02/2024 13:43

Christmas, Easter, half terms, July and August are always tight for staff holidays. In most jobs, those with school aged children and those the most years in the business/job, get priority- and the newest arrival just cannot just request one of those key periods, especially so soon after starting. It sucks, but it is the reality out there. Due to my job, we have only had several consecutive days of time off at Christmas twice in 30 years.

bottomsup12 · 20/02/2024 14:02

Wow it's so draconian they can deny all holidays ind December like you're a child? I would absolutely quit that shithole patronising job

Theredfoxfliesatmidnight · 20/02/2024 14:05

It's a tough one, because, at the one time you had the upper hand over your employer (when they had made you a job offer but you had not yet accepted) you did not firmly push for this holiday. Now they've "got" you you are in a far weaker position and I don't think there's really any way they're going to say yes. Next time - remember the time to negotiate is when they want you but don't have you!

The only thing I think you could do is say the holiday has been booked - you didn't realise at the time you accepted the job, but it had - and due to the amount of time/money invested you will have to leave if the holiday can't be honoured. But you'd need to be prepared to go through with that of course.

flipent · 20/02/2024 14:06

I wouldn't have expected detail on holiday bans to be in a contract.
I would expect them to be in a holiday policy - has the company got one of those and have you seen it?

shearwater2 · 20/02/2024 15:18

I'd work for them for a bit while looking for another job. Plenty of time to find one and hand in your notice before then. A lot of companies close over Christmas.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page