Unpaid leave august

Costas6969 · Post by **Costas6969** » 27 Feb 2018, 15:17

Hi, I have only been a postie for a few months and I would like opinions please as to whether I would be able to take off the whole of August unpaid. I have had ten days in August honoured due to it being booked prior to me starting work at Royal Mail but circumstances have changed and I might need to take the whole month off and I have no problems taking it off unpaid.

Post by **TrueBlueTerrier** » 27 Feb 2018, 15:26

Costas6969 wrote:Hi, I have only been a postie for a few months and I would like opinions please as to whether I would be able to take off the whole of August unpaid. I have had ten days in August honoured due to it being booked prior to me starting work at Royal Mail but circumstances have changed and I might need to take the whole month off and I have no problems taking it off unpaid.

You are allowed to ask, but Roya Mail is allowed to refuse.

Depending on the circumstances there may be other options available such as Parental Leave, if you are with the Union now would be a good time to get the rep onside as he will know the local lie of the land and may be able to sort something out. Without the CWU helping I think the chances of the whole of August off is pretty remote.

Post12345 · Post by **Post12345** » 27 Feb 2018, 17:47

Parental leave (four weeks unpaid a year per child) only starts when you have been employed for a year. They pretty much can't say no to that and others annual leave doesnt come in to account.

You'll have to put an other leave request form in as a newbie. At least 21 days prior.
Get a rep. If they say no they have to pull you in and show you exactly why you can't have it each day.dont go in alone.

Good luck

postmail3 · Post by **postmail3** » 27 Feb 2018, 19:54

I've just started today after having an interview last November and holidays I had booked for weddings I was under the impression that they would be allowed but my manager today gave me a stern look and said 'some dates' weren't acceptable.

I have a week booked may 21st / July 16th & August 13th.... And 2days in June! Is there any I should worry about? I'm guessing August is a no go area??

joewyan · Post by **joewyan** » 27 Feb 2018, 21:57

postmail3 wrote:I've just started today after having an interview last November and holidays I had booked for weddings I was under the impression that they would be allowed but my manager today gave me a stern look and said 'some dates' weren't acceptable.

I have a week booked may 21st / July 16th & August 13th.... And 2days in June! Is there any I should worry about? I'm guessing August is a no go area??

If you had informed them of your booked holiday dates during interview then they should accept them, if you didnt then it’s completely at their discretion.

postmail3 · Post by **postmail3** » 27 Feb 2018, 22:03

I had but he brushed me off and said it would be 'sorted'. I didn't end up getting that contract though but succeeded 3 months later. I hadn't even met my manager until today as it was the trainer who interviewed me. I feel side swiped and don't know how to react if he tells me I can't have them. I don't wanna seem awkward on my first few shifts!!! Dilemma!

Post by **POSTMAN** » 27 Feb 2018, 22:37

postmail3 wrote:I had but he brushed me off and said it would be 'sorted'. I didn't end up getting that contract though but succeeded 3 months later. I hadn't even met my manager until today as it was the trainer who interviewed me. I feel side swiped and don't know how to react if he tells me I can't have them. I don't wanna seem awkward on my first few shifts!!! Dilemma!

You need to explain everything to your mew manager and go from there, speak to your rep and coach as soon as as well,you may have to swallow not getting all though.

Costas6969 · Post by **Costas6969** » 28 Feb 2018, 06:06

If you have holidays booked then don’t let anyone stop you going, life is way too short.

crimson king · Post by **crimson king** » 28 Feb 2018, 17:36

It might be hard but, trust me, if you put your foot down now and don't cave in from the get go it's going to make your work life easier in the future.

If you've informed them of those dates they should honour them. Let them get away with this and they'll take the piss forever.

postmail3 · Post by **postmail3** » 28 Feb 2018, 18:41

Thanks, Im going to have to!! They are weddings of my sisters so not missing them, I'm just worried on the worst case scenario as on my probation!! I was never told I couldn't book certain dates and I let them know as soon as they asked as they weren't bothered about writing them down in the interview!! I'm just going to hope for the best!

crimson king · Post by **crimson king** » 28 Feb 2018, 19:09

Seems to be a Royal Mail thing, not writing stuff down at the interview and saying 'yeah, that'll be fine.' Similar thing happened to me. They come across as all affable and then again in at the induction and then, once they've got your soul....

Like someone said above, life's too short, go and enjoy your sisters' wedding and don't let RM taint it.

As for your probation, I wouldn't worry about it, as long as you're doing everything else properly. Probation periods are something else they seem to like to hang over newbies' heads, but if you put your foot down now I doubt your DOM is going to use it six months down the line...it's more hassle to advertise, interview new staff etc just to replace someone who had the audacity to have a few Saturdays off.

Good luck, stay strong.