Can’t get time off work

[CareBearClaire]

Hi - I work in a place where flexible working is becoming more common. A number of my colleagues I work have been allowed the same day off. This means that I struggle to get a full week off at a time due to there being little cover on a Friday (because multiple people have been allowed this same day off). I’m really annoyed that every time I request leave, it’s a bit of a battle. Where do I stand with this?

Ultimately your employer has the right to decide when you take your annual leave, provided that they allow you to take what you are entitled to. There’s nothing in law that says you have to be allowed to take it off in a week long chunk.

Having said that it’s worth pushing back on it, because of course people want to be able to book a full week off. So I would highlight this further up the chain, point out the problem, how it’s impacting you, and if it’s not an issue in other teams, point out the unfairness of it. But if they say ‘tough luck’ there’s not a huge amount you can do to force the matter.

….. to add to this if it helps if anyone is out there to give advice, I’m always flexible and do additional hours or swap my core hours to do extra to support different pieces of work. I work on after I should have finished, I work on days I don’t usually work - so it really stings when there is no give in the other direction….

I'd stop doing all the extra hours and being flexible - unless it suits you.

Check your employers leave policy. Many say there is a minimum requirement to take a certain block of time off once per year (reason .. employee health and also its sometimes the only way to spot a fraud).