Question regarding Annual Leave Entitlement

[lollipop]

Hi,
Wonder if anyone can help me. I have worked at Royal Mail as a postman for over 20 years and this year I have noticed that out of all the holidays weeks I booked, I only got one week. The others have all been allocated for me without me being asked or notified - my wife has just picked it up from my Annual Leave Sheet. Is this normal practice, is it fair? Is it acceptable? or can I speak to someone about it.

Would appreciate some advice as have never been in this position before.
Lollipop

[bag69]

Happens all the time in our place. If they can give you the week you asked for you get it. If not they will allocate you another week. Always winners and loosers in this company. Mainly loosers though!

[feduppostie]

In my office we all put our requests in and if the week ends up being overbooked then all the names go in a hat

we insist that everyone in the 'draw' witnesses their name go in the hat and the draw that way there can be no arguments

did you not check it when they gave it back to you?

[mazza111]

When i was with RM. Everyone was divided into groups of 6 with a holiday sheet for each group. Names listed by seniority. Main 2 weeks were allocated by management, but always scope to change them within the group. For the other 2-3 weeks a year, first on the list got first choice, 2nd got 2nd choice etc. Then started from the bottom of the list and worked way up so last to get a choice for the first week got first choice of 2nd week. Sounds a palaver but it worked out really well.