buying holidays

[arnold cheshire]

and if 30 people do that and it will keep another person in wok as well :)

in wok is that a new chinese takeaway near you

[thumpelina]

I am new to the job (nearly done 3 months) and a single parent. I cannot get more than 3 days together for holiday as dates are all taken, which in effect means no holiday and little time with the kids during the holidays. This seems unfair. Am I to understand that even unpaid holiday will be out of the question for the same reason?

[Darren Bent]

and if 30 people do that and it will keep another person in wok as well :)

in wok is that a new chinese takeaway near you

I used a wireless keyboard and mouse. So it might be reason for spelling :)

[POSTMAN]

I am new to the job (nearly done 3 months) and a single parent. I cannot get more than 3 days together for holiday as dates are all taken, which in effect means no holiday and little time with the kids during the holidays. This seems unfair. Am I to understand that even unpaid holiday will be out of the question for the same reason?

I'm guessing you've missed putting in for your holidays,it's usually done give or take a month or 3 in Oct.
You 'should' have more scope next year.

[Inde Singh]

Can this request be refused? And if so on what grounds?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Can this request be refused? And if so on what grounds?

Yes - there is a time limit for applications - usually February.

Apart from that one - none That I am aware of.

[Inde Singh]

I have been refused on operational issues, I have recently spoken to HR and been told to apply again and raise a grievance against my manager!

[Caniel]

It's well worth doing, you won't really notice the weekly cost but you will REALLY appreciate the extra time off

[IcanthelpthewayIam]

I have been refused on operational issues, I have recently spoken to HR and been told to apply again and raise a grievance against my manager!

the reason will be there is a maximum number of spaces for the number of holiday reserves your office has, so if a certain amount of people buy leave and use up all the space dom then has no one to cover it, hence why he probably refused you, but he is not allowed to do that, if need be he should be covering it ot or bringing in a temporary contract to cover annual leave etc

[UnhappyGremlin]

Can this request be refused? And if so on what grounds?

Applications have to be in by February 28th. Failure to apply by then is basically the only grounds for refusal.
As far as I'm aware, you cannot be refused the chance to buy more leave.
The DOM/Line Managers staffing issues are theirs, not yours.

Equalities and Diversities Act 2008(or 2009?). Others within the company, and your unit probably, have done it.
To refuse you is flat out discrimination. Unfair treatment. Technically, it's favouritism to those that have bought extra leave.

Get the Rep/Area Rep in, get your managers boss involved.

[esporito]

Hi can anyone actually tell me how much buying extra holidays will cost?
I am on a 27.5 hour contract so if I want to put my holidays up to 5 or 6 weeks ( 2.5 or 7.5 extra days) how much does that actually cost me in real terms? I've been told various things from 1% to 4% of annual wage...only been in job 1 year and told due to that I will pay more than someone I job say 5 years.
Really I just want to know if buying holidays is a good deal
Thanks.

[baldrick]

Hi can anyone actually tell me how much buying extra holidays will cost?

Way Forward Agreement 2000
Section 4. ANNUAL LEAVE
Leave purchase option

Over and above standard entitlements, employees with less than 20 years' service will have the chance to
increase their holiday entitlement to (or towards) 6 weeks per year, by foregoing an element of basic pay.
This will offer those employees who might find it attractive to take more time off from work, earlier in their
career, additional annual holidays in lieu of pay. This choice must be exercised for at least one whole leave
year, and for each whole week of additional leave the basic pay will be adjusted by 2%.

[esporito]

Ok so the most I will pay is 2% for a whole week?
Why doesn't my dom know this? He is telling me that I get 22.5 days anyway so can only buy either 2.5 or 7.5 days to make holidays up to either 5 or 6 weeks.
2% for a year to buy 2.5 days (equivalent of around 14 hours) seems a lot.

[baldrick]

Not really a lot. 2%pw over 52 weeks would mean you are paying 104% of a weeks wages to get an extra week's leave. So it's only costing you 4% more than a week's pay. If you are on 27.5 hours I think that would only be about £11-12. I think that's worth it to have a paid week off work. If you have to travel to work you will probably save that on fares. I used to buy the extra leave.

But bear in mind you probably won't be able to take the extra leave when you might want it.

[baldrick]

Why doesn't my dom know this?

He might not know, or he might not want you to buy additional leave because he will have to arrange cover for your duty.
But that's his problem not yours.