should colleagues with kids get preference for holidays?

jackomdj

I think people with restricted holiday options should get them first, they may not ave kids but their partner may be a teacher or work in a place where they have shutdown (ie some factories the whole place shuts down for the 2 week aug holiday) etc.

It is really difficult with children, I don't want to pay for child care during their holidays then have my holiday when they are at school.

As it is I have two weeks off in the summer, my parents do two weeks and they go into child care for two weeks, then I have Christmas off, I also have either Easter holiday or oct half term and they go to child are for the other one. I am in a team of 3, the other two are a Dad of 3 young children (similar ge to mine) and a chap with older children but his wife is in education so we all need similar times off, added to this we are in a finance department so have monthly deadlines which always seem to be just when the schools are off!

Fosterdog

No they shouldn't get first priority. It should be whoever asks first gets it.

I can understand people with children wanting time off to spend with the family but even people without kids of their own have relatives that they only get to see in the school holidays too. I only get to see my niece and nephew in school hols because of how far away they live.

Again a friend will be getting married during a half term next year because she has children and want's them there, should I have to miss out on a friends wedding so someone else can have the time off even if I've booked it first?

Saying that, I do regularly swap my shifts with colleagues who have kids and have issues with childcare. Just last Friday I swapped so a girl at work could have a full weekend off with her hubby and kids because it's the first weekend they've had off together for months.

I am more than happy to help out like that when I have no plans but I don't think it's fair to have it forced on you.

hieveryone

Torry_Quine wrote: »

If someone voluntarily lets those with children have the holidays that's fine but it shouldn't be compulsory.

Would probably never pass as compulsory, but I would hope that people could be a little understanding and 'share the love'!

I would hate to think that if I worked in a workplace where we chose holidays, that I stomped my way in and took the dates some poor !!!!!! works his/her whole year to take their young family away and prevented them doing so.

74jax

My old boss had a timeshare so always took the same two weeks off. I think as long as you are open and can discuss it, then really you could hopefully work it out. I've always had a first come first served holiday policy but we've all swapped to accommodate.

Brighton_belle

I would have no problem with summer holidays during school summer holiday time being offered to those either with children, or partners who work in shcools and have to take their holiday then.
But the rest of the year, such as Easter and Christmas there should be no favouritism: Christmas for example might be the the only time someone childless get to see the rest of their family all together and actually have a bit of 'family time'. Christmas isn't just for children.
Easter bank holidays are a chance to have a 5 day break for only 4 days leave.

meritaten

I agree with Torrey - if you are not particularly bothered when you take your holidays then fine! but, surprise surprise, even those without children may only want to take thier holiday time at school holiday times!
personally OH books outside the school holidays and that is fine by me! It isnt so that the people with kids can take this time - but its soooo much quieter then!

miduck

aliasojo wrote: »

Some can holiday at any time, some can only holiday at certain times due to constraints put on them by schools.

Seems a no brainer to me.

What about those that wish to holiday with a partner/ friend who works in a school?

thorsoak

Why would anyone who does not have children want to take their holidays during school holiday times when prices reach their zenith? Most parents would prefer not to - but childens' education needs must come first!

sassyblue

No preference for families or not. Whoever asks for the time off first should get it IMO.

I have a young family, I'm not sure it's fair to have precedence unless it involves Christmas day, but then l wouldn't choose a job where that dilemma would occur.

tanith

Been on both sides of the argument, you can't please everybody but its nice if you can come to an agreement with your colleagues it makes for a nicer working environment don't you think?