How do I get proper time off????

[needtonamechangeforthis]

... I work in a high performance environment where you have to be flexible. HOWEVER... I have a week booked off - and approved - but nonetheless my boss has just actioned me on something so has her boss.They say it'll only take a couple of hours - which is true - but I don't get the complete break from work that I need. Not sure where I stand legally, I really need a break and won't be able to relax til the actions are done- and then need to keep an eye on progress. If I complain, it'll affect my performance rating this year, as this is the norm in our organisation. Please don't tell me to look for another job, there are lots of reasons why I need to stay where I am, but not sure this is an acceptable way for an employer to behave?

Tell them you have booked to go away then turn your phone off.

Lots of places have no reception...

I'd go with the suggestions put forward. If it's only a couple of hours work, do that before you go, then brief someone completely on what's happening and let relevant people know you won't be contactable during your holiday.

It is difficult I know. But in some working environments this is the norm. The only thing you can do if you need to stay is just firm up a bit about it, insist on taking your holiday and take actions personally to ensure that there are no negative consequences to you going away, by briefing colleagues and doing as much as you can before you go.

thanks all - I know you're right but I also know that it will count against me in the long run. I'm not going away (which they don't need to know of course)and a couple of the things are time critical but couldn't be finished off before I left (due to dependencies) and the other thing, only I can do due to having specific knowledge. You're right FBB, I guess I just need to toughen up a bit,insist on taking my time off and accept there will be consequences.

Speaking as someone who has had many holidays cancelled at short notice, I completely sympathise with your situation.

The only think I would add is that the more available you make yourself, the more available they will expect you to be.

Personally, I would say that you won't be able to have access to the internet (and therefore intranet and work) while you are away and turn your phone and blackberry off until you 'get back'. As you say, they don't know that you're not going away AND they don't need to know it either.

But just toughening up on booking in your holiday and taking it shouldn't have consequences as long as you make sure that your performance and whatever targets you may have are not affected.

I know it's easy to say, but if you're performing well and achieving all that can be expected of you anyway, if they then put you down a grade at your appraisal because you took some holiday, that would be ridiculous and impossible to justify. That's not something you need to accept. If you're doubly sure they can't point to any negative effect of you taking time off that will obviously help.