Can I negotiate this?

[Flubbertyjiblet]

I've recently been made redundant after many years working part time in admin.

I've been offered a new role full time. Seems a great place to work, my only gripe is the holiday entitlement is 20 days plus BH. My previous role was 34 days Inc BH with the option to buy an extra 5 which I always did as work life balance is very important to me and my family and although my job was only part time my DH works very long hours and it's nice to have that time together . I'm really nervous about doubling my working hours and lessening my holiday entitlement by that much as I know this will make me so unhappy. In every other way the job is perfect so am I being ridiculous or can I negotiate at least an extra 5 days? Will they take back the offer if I ask?

You can ask but be prepared for them to say no
20 days leave is the statutory standard
Having so much holiday in a part time role is quite unusual tho so think you were very lucky

If they don’t have a scheme to buy annual leave I think there’s no chance they’d give you an extra 5 days, and I think it’d be very cheeky to ask. But I doubt they’d withdraw the offer over it. Your last job was really unusual for part time, sort of no wonder they made that role redundant.

They won't take back the offer, but there's no way they will agree to an extra 5 days.

Your previous job was incredibly generous, especially for a part time role.

Yes this is what I thought. I was very lucky to have my last job. Looks like I have to join the Real World 😂

Ask, but I wouldn't be too hopeful! Your last place was definitely not the norm of your got that much leave as part time.... do you accrue holiday with length of service at the new place.

Are there any other ways to improve work life balance? Does it definitely need to be full time? Could 0.8 work for the role? Compressed hours?

Your comment, "I know this will make me so unhappy" shows your mindset is negative before you've even accepted the job. In which case either accept your previous job was very unusual (local authority?) or keep looking. It's 6 days fewer holidays, not counting the additional 5 you would buy.

Surely you'll be earning more which means you can pay for things to maximise your time outside work?

Definitely ask but there's a big gap so know what your cut-off is.

You can negotiate anything. Don’t tell them you want it because you like a good work/life balance though. Remind them of your skills and experience. If they haven’t described the job as an entry-level position and they are looking for people with experience they might already be prepared for people to ask for more than entry-level holiday allowance. However, there’s some risk with any negotiation.

I think I'm just having a wobble. I need to give my head a shake I think. I might have been a bit over dramatic saying I'd be unhappy. Everything else about the job is amazing so I need to realise how lucky I've been and just get on with it. The extra money will make it worth while. 🙂

You have accepted a new job woth new conditions which are pretty standard
I dont think you have any negotiation tbh

Yes I've decided not to ask. I will make the most of the extra money and enjoy the days I do get. I am very excited about starting and realise I've had a lucky time fir a few years which I'm very grateful for.

Thanks everyone for settling this for me.

They're not just going to give you more time off than everyone else who works for the company.

But if you have DC you could use your (unpaid) parental leave entitlement.

https://www.gov.uk/parental-leave/entitlement

It says it is usually taken in weekly blocks, so you'd probably have to take it like that and then if you want adhoc days off, use your normal leave entitlement for that.

I'm starting a new job today. Previous roles have all had generous annual leave. This one offered 20 days + bank hols.

I negotiated for 5 additional days and they agreed. They had an incremental annual leave system that gives an additional day after various years of service.

I think you should negotiate. Annual leave is important to keep fresh and work effectively. Worst that could happen is they refuse.

You could ask if there’s an option to buy more leave, lots of companies do this.

Yes I will ask about whether purchasing more holidays is an option but if not. I will just get on with things I'm sure I'll get used to it.

I'd ask - shy bairns get nowt & all that - but if they say no and you have children could you use some parental leave each year to supplement your holidays? It's unpaid but if you save for it, it might be workable?

You get 18 weeks per child www.gov.uk/parental-leave/entitlement

If you were able (financially) to buy extra leave in your old job, you can sort of replicate that by taking Statutory Parental Leave, which entitles you to take up to four weeks per year per child of unpaid leave. You have to take it in whole week blocks, give certain notice, and it is unpaid, but I find it massively helpful.

www.gov.uk/parental-leave

I have to say they I no way I would drop annual to that low. 25 plus bank holidays is the lowest I would go.

I did negotiate that in my last role. I was given 25 instead of 20, and was told to keep quiet about it