Managers being awkward about allowing leave

[Realdeal1]

Just venting and wondering how others manage here. We are understaffed and as such, no one can really cover others easily although at a push i could do the essential bits. I've asked for some leave but been denied it due to it being near key periods but there never appears to be a right time to take it. Management is new and dependent on the team to do it all.

I have noticed that others have taken ill (perhaps true) but I suspect they know they won't get the leave approved that they want so have gone ahead and gone off sick.

Legally they have to allow you your 5.6weeks per year. I would approach it in a different way initially asking when it would convenient to take your statutory leave, if you get a negative response then HR would be the next step as your manager may need so training on their obligations.

Sadly they can dictate when you take your holiday.
So just ask them when it would be convenient to take a week off.

Be proactive- as pp have said ask when you can take your leave. Ask who they want you to train to cover you and do it

Ask your manager when would be convenient, if they can’t or won’t give you a sensible answer point out that if you can’t take leave now you will end up needing a longer period all at once to be able to use your entitlement (eg you will end up with 20 days to take before end of year so will need all of December off to use it up)

If it suits you, you could always ask for payment in lieu of holidays as long as that doesn’t take you below the legal minimum entitlement.

You are legally allowed to take your holiday but some businesses have needs at busy times. Go through the calendar with your manager and agree a time