Can't get desired annual leave

[Blinkboy44]

What happens if I can’t get the Annual leave ive requested , my partner booked a holiday for us next year , but I don’t have the time off secured, if I can’t get it off surely they can’t stop me from going. What’s the point in working to afford to do things but then can’t do them , is unpaid leave an option , or will I need to take time off stress related courtesy of Royal Mail , seems a joke , I have never worked anywhere Like this before where you have to fight and struggle to do simple normal things

[2yearpostie]

Seniority, Whos been there longest gets first pick and if you dont get what youve asked for as far as RM are concerned tough, also dont go sick on the weeks youve asked for as they will check on your holiday sheet to see if your pulling a fast one, Dont book and pay for any holidays until RM have confirmed your annual leave dates.

[Blinkboy44]

Not really bothered , il go off sick all year if I have to , then by the time my holiday comes round they’ll be sick of calling me, loosing money and not being able to have a life is enough grounds to go off with stress tbh.

[hothothot]

Try to swap with someone or do what most people do go sick.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Seniority, Whos been there longest gets first pick and if you dont get what youve asked for as far as RM are concerned tough, also dont go sick on the weeks youve asked for as they will check on your holiday sheet to see if your pulling a fast one, Dont book and pay for any holidays until RM have confirmed your annual leave dates.

Seniority cant be used as the sole decider for leave - everyone has to have an equal opportunity to select their leave.

But everything else is spot on.

What happens if I can’t get the Annual leave ive requested , my partner booked a holiday for us next year , but I don’t have the time off secured, if I can’t get it off surely they can’t stop me from going. What’s the point in working to afford to do things but then can’t do them , is unpaid leave an option , or will I need to take time off stress related courtesy of Royal Mail , seems a joke , I have never worked anywhere Like this before where you have to fight and struggle to do simple normal things

Whilst leave is both a contractual and statutory right employers can decide when you take it, as long as they give you the opportunity to take it at some point in the year.

You can apply for special leave, however there is no legal right to it so they can say no.

If you just go on holiday without permission, they can dismiss you for misconduct https://www.acas.org.uk/capability-procedures" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Stella102]

if you go sick and go abroad without permission you will lose your job. be careful.

[Acca Dacca]

If everybody just took the time off they wanted the place would shut down

Thats why you dont book a holiday until you have chosen your leave first

You cant just expect to get whenever you fancy off if there is a system in place on who picks first etc ( which should be rotational and not seniority )

Its shite but its the only way to do things otherwise you could have 20 people all wanting the same weeks in July off and nobody wanting March/April

[Blinkboy44]

Yes I appreciate everyone needs a fair choice but realistically it’s unlikely most people will want the exact same time off, it’s just crazy you can’t plan in advance, and I get seniority but it should also be taken into concideration the circumstances of why it is needed off compared to joe bloggs just choosing it for the sake of it, a family member has planned this trip for my partners birthday, so I have to just tell them no you can’t book a holiday in advance because I work for Royal Mail, it’s ridiculous . I understand this is the reality and realistically I’m not gonna risk my job over it but it just seems unfair and stupid, was hoping unpaid would be an option but not holding my breath.

[Acca Dacca]

Yes I appreciate everyone needs a fair choice but realistically it’s unlikely most people will want the exact same time off, it’s just crazy you can’t plan in advance, and I get seniority but it should also be taken into concideration the circumstances of why it is needed off compared to joe bloggs just choosing it for the sake of it, a family member has planned this trip for my partners birthday, so I have to just tell them no you can’t book a holiday in advance because I work for Royal Mail, it’s ridiculous . I understand this is the reality and realistically I’m not gonna risk my job over it but it just seems unfair and stupid, was hoping unpaid would be an option but not holding my breath.

Once you start making an exception though thats when problems start and everyone can then say 'Yeah but you gave Joe Bloggs the time off HE wanted'

If you dont get special unpaid leave and cant swap with anyone you could try offering £££ to people to cover you

[Blinkboy44]

If you dont get special unpaid leave and cant swap with anyone you could try offering £££ to people to cover you

Yes sadly that will probably be the plan

[clashcityrocker]

I think in the annual leave guidelines it specifically mentions taking into account special requests due to weddings etc.
We all (most) have lives outside of RM and work cannot be expected to come first all the time.
Make a request for the weeks you want and if the DOM just says no, use the grievance procedure.

[clashcityrocker]

If everybody just took the time off they wanted the place would shut down

That isn't true.
Some people want the school holidays, others want to avoid them.
Everybody understands the need to limit the number on annual leave each week.
From experience I would say that if you let people choose which weeks they want off they will get roughly what they want.

And anyone who gets a bad experience one year gets preferential treatment the next.

[rambo1]

Not really bothered , il go off sick all year if I have to , then by the time my holiday comes round they’ll be sick of calling me, loosing money and not being able to have a life is enough grounds to go off with stress tbh.

Are you for real? Who books a holiday before you know you have time off for it? Doesn't sound like you've been in the world of work for long to me. As for staying you'll just go off sick for a yr.....grow up mate.

[clashcityrocker]

Who books a holiday before you know you have time off for it?

Someone who needs to plan a special event but can't really wait for some useless RM manager to get off their arse and confirm the annual leave.

[twoloops]

That seniority malarkey does not stand up in the 2020 workplace, override them phone HR Services 0345 6060603 tell them the holidays you want/need & what's happening in your office.
Thank me later